Fitness trackers have proven to be more than a fad for adults seeking their 10,000 steps a day, and now a new wave of the devices are being marketed to kids. But are these personal tech devices a good option for children?
There are studies suggesting school-age children should walk upwards of 11,000 to 15,000 steps per day. However, it has been long established that kids should engage in active, outdoor play for an hour each day, says Dr. Jack Maypole, an education advisory board member at The Goddard School, a national preschool franchise. Keep in mind, most fitness trackers are better suited to tracking steps than logging hours on the playground. While they may not provide a complete picture of your child’s activity, they could be a fun way to see how many steps it takes to get to school or how far your family walked through the zoo.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts and engineers have tested dozens of popular adult fitness trackers over the past 10+ years for ease of use, battery life, accuracy, comfort, and more. While we haven’t tested kids’ fitness trackers or smartwatches specifically, our pros recommend looking for some specific features, including a reliable step counter, a strong battery life, a durable face, and at least some water protection. Fitness trackers for kids don’t need all the same bells and whistles as adult versions, but they should have the basics.
Why are fitness trackers useful for kids?
Fitness trackers for kids can help teach school-age children good exercise habits, especially in those who tend to be more sedentary, says Dr. Lisa Lewis, a board-certified pediatrician in Fort Worth, Texas. The catch? A fitness tracker should not be used unless a parent has carefully reflected on whether their child actually wants to use one . “A child should never be forced or persuaded to use an activity tracker,” says Lewis. “And a child should never be reprimanded for having a ‘bad exercise day.’”
There is also some concern around multi-function smartwatches, which can be distracting during class and pose a safety hazard if the child is zoned in on their wrist while walking. “If a child is going to wear an exercise tracker, I believe it should be just that — an exercise tracker,” says Lewis.
Here are the best fitness trackers you can buy for your kids in 2020:
