When I go on vacation or just for a night out with friends, I use my GPS to navigate. GPS are now very common in our life, and they are proven to be useful in many situations. It could be to locate your car, your dog and even your iPhone. But what if they could help to find your children if he ever gets lost?
Why I use a GPS tracker with my kids?
On a rainy Sunday morning, we decide to go to our local Ikea to buy a carpet for our bedroom. On that day, it seems like the whole town has the same idea.
The place was full and while we where searching for the alley 517 of section E in department 4012, my son decide to escape. We search for 15 minutes, with the help of 2 employees and we couldn’t find him.
I was panicking, and even the Ikea employees were very nervous.
When I was about to block all exit door and call an Amber alert, we finally saw him walking around as nothing happen. I felt such relief.
That situation could have been worst. But, on the other hand, it could have been all avoided if we had a GPS tracker at that time. I could simply have used my iPhone and see his exact location.
I don’t want to risk going into the same situation. In my opinion, It’s a small price for peace of mind.
Bear with me as I review the best GPS tracker you could get for your kid.
The best GPS smartwatch
Tycho GPS smartwatch
The Tycho is my favorite GPS smartwatch for kids. It has all the essential features of a GPS tracking device; geofencing, real-time tracking, and route history. Plus, my kid will appreciate the extra features, like the photo camera, the alarm clock, and more.
Moreover, this is the only smartwatch that uses 3G networks and has an affordable price.
Highlights:
- Works with 3G and WIFI
- Real-time tracking
- Geofencing
- Panic button
- Phone call
- Touchscreen
- iOS and Android compatible
- Route history
- Voice monitoring
- Take photo
- Alarm clock
- Silent mode
Considerations:
If you plan to use this watch outside the USA, you must contact the manufacturer to get a different model. If you plan to visit Canada, simply use a Canadian SIM card.
Suitable for:
- Kid age 4 and up
- Teen
- Elderly
Features:
Geofencing: You can create a safe area with virtual fences, and get notified if your kid leaves that area. The signal will be sent to your smartphone.
Panic button: You kid can activate the SOS mode to contact you in case of emergency.
Voice call: You kid can use the smartwatch to call you.
Route history: You can have access to the past 3 months of historical route record. You’ll be able to know exactly where your kid’s travel.
Extra features: This smartwatch for kids also have additional features that your kid will love; photo camera, alarm clock, and more.
Design: The wristband is made of durable silicone, and it’s available in multiple colors. The watch is 1.8 by 1.4 inches and 0.6 inches thick.
The competition
While searching for the best GPS smartwatch for kids, I’ve encountered many deceiving products. Most of them had such bad reviews and a severe lack of features. Most of those watch work on the 2G network, while some didn’t have the GPS tracking system at all. This category is relatively new, and I’m sure I will be reviewing better products in the future.
For all the details check the Tycho GPS smartwatch on Amazon here.
The best wearable GPS tracker
My Buddy Tag
The Buddy Tag is wearable GPS tracker for kids that also as a sensor to prevent drowning. The device is connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth and doesn’t require any monthly subscription, which makes this options very affordable.
What’s make this GPS device different is the alert sent to you if the tracker is submerged in water for more than 5 seconds. This features would be useful at the public pool on a busy day.
The other main features of this GPS tracker is the battery life of one year. With such extraordinary battery life, you don’t need to worry about the device being un-trackable because the battery is dead.
Highlights:
- Not expensive
- No monthly subscription
- Connect via Bluetooth
- Works with IOS and Android
- Panic button
- Water resistant
- Durable
- Battery life up to one year
- Weight 1.8 oz
- Tag dimensions of 1.2 x 1.2 inches by 0.4 inches thick
- Wristbands width of 5.5 to 8 inches
Considerations:
- Limited to Bluetooth range, approximately 40 to 120 feet
- Bluetooth connection issues could create false alerts
- No real-time tracking
- Can only pair with one smartphone at a time
- The battery is not rechargeable
- Must replace the whole device after the battery dies
Suitable for:
- Children of 3 years old and more
- Traveling family
- Outdoor activities
- Kid with disabilities
Features:
Panic button: If your kid feels in danger, he can press the panic button, and the device will contact you.
Alerts and notifications: You can receive an alert signal if your kids go too far away from you. If your kid is suddenly out of your Bluetooth range, you’ll receive a warning, plus an email with the last known location. You will also receive an alert if the GPS wristband goes underwater for more than 5 seconds. This feature is helpful to prevent kids from drowning.
Bluetooth: The range of the GPS signal is limited to the Bluetooth capabilities. Which means you have 80 to 120 feet of outdoor range and around 40 feet of range indoors.
Battery: The main advantage of this GPS device is the one-year battery life.
Design: The tracker is attached to a silicone wristband with an adjustable strap. It’s waterproof, and difficult for children to take it off.
Colors: Available in Black, green, pink, blue, red, yellow and more color combinations.
The app is compatible with most smartphones: iPhone 4s and up, the 4th generation iPad, iPad Air, iPad Air2, iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy S3 and up, Note2 and up and Android 4.3 or later.
The competition
I found other tracking devices, but none were meeting my requirement regarding reliability, security, and portability. The My Buddy Tag is the only wearable tracker, with extended battery life and equipped with a panic button.
For all the details check the My Buddy Tag on Amazon here.
The best GPS tracker
Trax Play GPS Tracker
The Trax Play GPS Tracker is one the best-seller in his category. In my opinion, this is the best GPS tracker you could get for your kid.
The device has all the essential features; geofencing, alert, notifications, route history, and real-time tracking. Also, it has a built-in accelerometer, it’s waterproof, and it’s working in more than 33 countries.
I like to use a GPS tracker when I’m on vacation with my kids, and this one works great.
Highlights:
- Low cost
- Works in 33 countries
- Real-time tracking
- Alerts and notifications
- Battery life: up to 48 hours
- Compact and lightweight
- Dimensions: 1.5 x 2.2 inches and 0.4 inches thick
- Waterproof
Considerations:
- A monthly subscription fee range from $9 to $4 a month
- No call or text message
- No panic button
Suitable for:
- Children of all ages
- Traveling family
- Visiting a different country
Features:
Geofencing: The Trax Play can alert you if your child leaves the safe zone you designated. Those safety zones are virtual fences you created on the map, and you can create a multitude of them. A virtual fence could be around the house, the school, the theme park and as soon as your kid leave the perimeter, you receive an alert on your phone.
Real-time tracking: With this tracker, you will also know the exact location of your child, even if he’s on the move. To see the real-time position of your child you open the app on your smartphone, and you will see a moving point on the map. The app also keeps a record of the route history of the past 24 hours.
Alerts and notifications: On top of the GPS geofencing alerts, you can also set up the tracker to send notifications. Those updates on the current location of your child are useful to track his route. This GPS tracker also sends an alert if an abrupt acceleration is detected. This is a helpful indicator that your child is onboard with the bus, the babysitter or any other moving vehicle.
Battery: The battery life is enough to track your child all day. You could set to receive a notification every 30 seconds, and the battery would last 24 hours. The device also has a low-battery indicator to let you know when it’s time to recharge.
Design: The Trax Play GPS Tracker is very portable. The device is 2 x 1.5 inches and has a belt clip.
Smartphone compatible: The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
The competition
Others similar tracking devices are not as reliable, while others have a higher monthly cost. After reading the reviews and researching the companies track record, I couldn’t find a better option. The Trax Play GPS is the only one I would trust with my kids.
For all the details check the Trax Play GPS Tracker on Amazon here.
What type of GPS tracker do I need?
Do you know which tracker to pick or where to start? Don’t worry, when I begin to shop for a GPS tracker for my kids, I felt confused with all the various models and all the unknown brands. Today, I know It’s less complicated than what it looks.
Before seeking for specific features, you must understand the different categories.
1. The basic GPS tracker
A GPS tracker is a small device used to track the location of something or someone.
The first GPS trackers was a tiny box placed inside a vehicle. The GPS tracker was almost a spy device, uses by companies to track their employees.
Now, you can find GPS tracker especially created for kids. The manufacturers added security features, like geofencing or a panic button.
2. The wearable GPS tracker
A wearable GPS tracker is specially made to track a person, mainly kids or seniors.
The tracker will be placed into a wristband or a necklace. Because if the tracker is placed in your kid’s jacket or backpack, he might lose it or forget it at the park.
The best wearable GPS tracker will also have security features like geofencing or SOS alert.
3. The GPS smartwatch
The GPS smartwatch has more options with better security features.
Parents love the GPS smartwatch because it can track their kid in real-time, while also being able to communicate together.
If your kid is too young for a smartphone, the smartwatch is the perfect solution you need. It’s secure and reliable!
How to choose a GPS tracker for my kid?
Since all trackers are not the same, you must identify the most relevant features for you.
Here are the features I found to be the most useful.
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is essential in such devices. It gives you the ability to track and locate your child precisely on a map.
The accuracy of the GPS needs to be 100% reliable, outdoor and indoor. I would advise you test your new tracker as soon as you receive it.
Real-time tracking
To find the exact location of your kid, you’ll need the GPS information in real-time.
It’s the real-time tracking feature that gives you the power to see the exact location of your kid on the map. Even if he’s moving, you’ll be able to follow his route.
Geofencing
Another great feature to have with a GPS tracker is the geofencing options. This feature enables you to create virtual fence on the map and be alert of your kid ever cross them.
In my opinion, this is one of the essential features. It gives me the peace of mind I need when my kid goes to the park. I know exactly when they arrived and when they leave the park area.
Alerts and notifications
Most trackers are connected to your smartphone. It’s via an APP that you’ll receive updates on the location of your kid. You can set the notifications to be sent every couple of minutes so you can follow your kid’s moves.
When my daughter was riding her bike to her friend house for the first times, it was an excellent way to establish trust.
Indoor use
Because your kid will be using the tracker indoor, it’s important to check it’s accuracy. A good tracker will work as good at the mall than at the park.
Battery life
The battery life of the device is almost as important as the GPS accuracy. Because a GPS tracker without battery is useless.
Beware that some GPS device will drain the battery much faster than the other. Make sure your kid can go at least 24 hours without having to recharge the battery. I would also advise you text the battery life you receive the device.
Waterproof and shockproof
The durability of the device is also critical. Kids love to play, jump, crawl and the GPS tracker must be enough resistant.
Also, check for a waterproof device; otherwise your kid will have to take off the GPS tracker before going into the pool. This could lead to losing the tracker.
GPS tracker vs. GPS smartwatch
If you are wondering which GPS devices are more suitable for your kid, read the following.
Been able to communicate with your kid
The most significant advantage for the smartwatch is the communication. While some GPS tracking has the simple panic button, the GPS smartwatch enable parents and kids to communicate.
Phone call
Your kid can call or receive calls directly on his smartwatch.
Video call
Work like Facetime or Skype, you and your kid can communicate through a video call.
Voice and text message
Just like a mobile phone, your kid can send or receive messages. Depending on the age of your kid, you will probably communicate through voice message. Once your kid is old enough to read and write, he will be able to use the text message feature.
Listen in
Just like a baby monitor or an intercom, you can only listen to the environment surrounding your kid. At any time you can play spy and eavesdrop on your kid without him knowing.
Safe contact list
Your kid can only communicate with the phone numbers from a safe contact list you created. It’s impossible to call or receive messages from people who are not on the safe list. It’s only the parents, via the app, who can add contacts to this list.
Panic button
The panic button is a helpful feature to establish communication in case of emergency. If your kid activates the SOS mode, the device sends a message to your smartphone, along with the last known location.
Fun features for kids
The GPS smartwatch also has different add-on features that make it more fun for your kids. Those features may be different from one device to another. In general, you’ll find; music, photo, video, photo filter, visual clock, steps/activities tracker, alarm clock, agenda, and games.
A GPS tracker is helpful in various situations
The first weeks after I receive the GPS smartwatch for my kids, we were mainly using them for security reasons.
After a while, I realize it was useful in various other situations.
Today, every time I feel like my kids are old enough to go somewhere without my supervision for the first time, I use the tracker as a safety net. We all feel more comfortable, knowing we have the smartwatch to communicate.
Since my kids are way too young to have a smartphone, I feel like this is the best solution.