It’s a very unhealthy world that we live in, especially for our kids.
A lot of them don’t go out as much anymore (at least not like we did), and that’s mainly due to the screens surrounding them, including the TV, their smartphones, and more.
Don’t you think it’s better to have them minimize their digital activities?
Fortunately, modern technology can also be wielded for our health’s sake.
There are products, like Fitbit devices, that can make a difference.
This smartwatch is designed with a built-in activity tracker and more.
Today, we are going to talk about the best Fitbit for kids, their pros and cons, a short buyer’s guide, and more!
My goal is for you to be able to make a smarter purchase decision and get the Fitbit that best fits you and your kid’s needs and preferences.
In this article, we’re going to review the following Fitbit devices for kids:
Best Fitbit for Kids: Brief Reviews
1. Fitbit Ace 2: Best Overall Choice for Fitbit for Kids
When it comes to fitness trackers for kids, I believe that the best one in the market today has got to be the Fitbit Ace 2.
It is the most recent release of the Ace series that Fitbit specifically designed for kids.
This Fitbit device comes in three fun style options of Grape, Night Sky and Neon Yellow, and Watermelon and Teal.
There are also other strap colors and designs available that can be purchased separately.
The screen is protected by a raised bumper to keep it safe from scratches during rough play.
As for the band, it is comfortable and equipped with an adjustable clasp.
The clock face is fun, too; your kid can replace the clock face, put a wacky avatar, and more.
Now, let’s go to the actual technical features.
The Fitbit Ace 2 primarily comes with an activity and sleep tracker.
It will tell your kid how much movement he’s done, and how much more he needs to do to lead a more fun, active, and healthier life.
On the other hand, it also tells when your kid should start slowing down, giving way to rest and sleep.
If the kid does a great job, Fitbit also has challenges and fun rewards in store for each milestone accomplished.
Running and outdoor play are not the only physical activities that your kids can enjoy with this.
This smartwatch is swim-proof and is completely water-resistant for up to 50 meters.
As for battery life, it can last for up to five days per charge.
Finally, I also like the fact that this can be linked to an app that can give you much insight into your child’s health.
The only thing that I don’t like about this Fitbit is that I’ve heard a lot of reports from my readers of the tracker becoming lose easily.
It can pop out during rough play if the kid’s not too careful, which is an issue that we shouldn’t have to deal with from a product that encourages activity.
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2. Fitbit Inspire HR: Best Fitbit for Young Ladies
I understand how fast kids can grow up, and your young lady might not appreciate wearing a watch that has a watermelon color.
That’s why I also want to include one option in my lineup that’s designed especially for them, the Fitbit Inspire HR.
It comes in three elegant colors of black, white, and lilac. Lilac has got to be my favorite; it’s so classy yet romantic.
Again, there are other band designs that you can opt for and purchase separately.
Like the previous product, it can also smoothly track one’s activity and sleep.
It is also swim-proof with five-day battery life.
The main difference is that this unit comes with a 24/7 heart rate tracker.
Also, it can calculate distance via GPS as long as it’s linked to your phone (perfect for budding runners), and it is equipped with different exercise modes.
One problem I noticed is that the product isn’t technically designed for kids, which means that it will cost a little bit more.
For me, though, it’s still not that expensive considering that it comes with a heart rate tracker.
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3. Fitbit Versa 2: Most High-Tech Fitbit
Fitbit Inspire HR is a gorgeous smartwatch, but its sleek screen cannot truly accommodate all your tech needs; the space is simply limited.
As such, for your tech-savvy kids who need more space, we recommend the Fitbit Versa 2.
It’s got the same basic features as the two previous products.
It can track your activity and sleep, and it’s water-resistant and has a long battery life.
Like the Inspire HR, it has a heart rate tracker and distance tracker.
There are three features that significantly sets this Fitbit apart from other choices, though.
First, it sports a larger screen.
Second, it has a music feature that allows you to access your Spotify, Pandora, or Deezer playlists, with extra storage to spare.
Finally, and most importantly, it has Amazon Alexa built in.
With this, tasks like setting the alarm, checking the weather, quick internet searches, and more are in your wrist, accessible by voice control.
This time, though, it’s not just a bit expensive, it really is expensive; it’s definitely something to think about before you let your young one get a hold of it.
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4. Fitbit Versa Lite: Best Fitbit Choice for Teens
What if you’ve enjoyed all the wonderful features of the Fitbit Versa 2 but are willing to let go of the music and Amazon Alexa features?
If you wish to save money, especially on features that aren’t really things that you think you need, then the Fitbit Versa Lite is perfect for you.
It has the same exact design as the previous unit.
In fact, it’s available in even more fun and vibrant colors, like Marina Blue and Mulberry.
Like all the other Fitbits I looked at, this baby has an activity and sleep tracker and long battery life.
It also has a heart rate sensor, distance tracker, and other fitness features.
It’s a great and more affordable choice if you’re willing to let go of the other two features, especially if your child brings her phone during workout sessions anyway.
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5. Fitbit Alta HR: Best Value for Money Fitbit
Last but not least, I can cull down the features a little bit more if you really want to get an affordable piece with improved features compared to the Fitbit Ace 2.
Fitbit Ace 2 doesn’t have a heart rate and distance tracker, after all, but Fitbit Alta HR does.
There are two features that set this one apart from the others.
First, it has a sleek minimalist design; actually, it has the slimmest monitor out there.
Second, it has the longest battery life compared to all the other Fitbits I’ve featured; this one can last for up to seven days.
The only downside? It’s not water-resistant.
Your young one can’t take it swimming, and it probably won’t survive a water balloon attack.
If your child is a bit older and responsible, though, and you’re sure that he doesn’t go swimming regularly, then this is definitely a nice option to consider.
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Is a Fitbit Suitable for a Child?
I’ve just finished sharing with you the different Fitbit options you can get for children of all ages.
In fact, you probably have an option that you’re thinking of getting already.
Nonetheless, you still might be wondering if Fitbit really is suitable for your kid.
The answer is both yes and no.
For young kids (at least under 13 years old), the only Fitbit that is legally permitted by the U.S. Federal Law are the two units in the Ace series.
That’s Fitbit Ace and Fitbit Ace 2.
That’s not because the other Fitbits are dangerous to their health or anything.
It’s just that the tracking mechanism of other Fitbit models are considered by law as an invasion of their privacy.
Can I Track My Child With Fitbit?
Since we are already in the subject of tracking, here’s a question that I frequently get from my readers: Is it possible to track a child with Fitbit?
Unfortunately, also because of the reasons I have already shared with you above, that feature is simply not available yet, especially with the Fitbit Ace series.
In fact, even the more advanced Fitbit models have no live tracking features.
I get it, though. As a parent, it would be nice to know the location of our child.
For now, the best alternative is to download a Bluetooth tracking app.
There are even apps specifically made to track Fitbits, like Find My Fitbit and Fitbit Finder.
Just keep in mind, however, that these apps were simply made to find a misplaced Fitbit.
It will surely help you determine if your child’s at home, though.
Another alternative is to install a smartphone tracker instead.
I understand that you want to track your child via Fitbit, but it’s simply not a developed feature for now.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Fitbit for Kids
Before you decide on getting a Fitbit for your child, here are some of the features that I believe you should definitely look into beyond just activity and sleep tracking.
1. Design
Us adults may not put a lot of value to the look of our accessories, especially when compared to their utility and features (at least, I don’t).
Most of us can even sacrifice the aesthetics of the product if it has awesome features.
However, for kids, it’s the other way around.
They won’t wear something that simply doesn’t look pretty or cool, even if, practically speaking, the product’s great.
The problem is, if they don’t use it, then it doesn’t really matter how efficient it is, right?
2. Durability
Another feature that I prioritize is the durability of the item.
It’s important for me to have an adjustable band so that it can fit snugly on my child’s wrist and lessen the risk of him losing it.
Once the band is adjusted, I want it to last long, or at least be durable enough that I can trust it to stay on that wrist while he’s on the move.
3. Water-Resistance
In relation to durability, it’s great to have a Fitbit that’s water-resistant.
A child can easily forget when he’s wearing something, and who knows when he’ll suddenly dip his hands into a pond? Or go swimming?
I can’t tell you how many watches we’ve gone through just because my child constantly forgets to remove it before washing his hands.
4. Battery Life
Aside from the features we mentioned, you should also consider the battery life of your Fitbit.
Otherwise, it will simply spend most of its time on its charging station.
This is especially true with kids who love playing around with their Fitbit to interact with it or just view their wacky avatar constantly, which, by the way, can cause the battery to drain faster.
5. Advanced Features
Finally, it would be nice if you can get more useful features from your Fitbit, especially if you’re planning to get a more advanced model.
Heart rate and distance trackers are a great addition whenever I take my son out to run with me.
He also appreciates being able to listen to his favorite tunes whenever he wants to.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Fitbit for Kids
Aside from the features that we have shared with you above, here are the other factors that you should definitely consider before you buy your child a Fitbit:
1. Your Objective
The first thing that you should determine is your goal.
Do you want to encourage your child to be more active?
Do you want to lessen his screen hours?
Do you want to track his heart rate for health reasons?
Or do you just want to give your child a cool watch with nice tracking features?
Keeping your goals in mind will help you determine the Fitbit model that best suits your needs.
2. Your Child’s Age
As we have mentioned above, it is not exactly legal for a young child to wear a Fitbit unless it’s part of the Ace series.
However, you certainly have more options for your older kids.
3. Your Child’s Activity
The next thing that you should consider is the type of activities that your kid is into.
Is he into swimming?
Does he prefer a certain sport over another?
In this way, you can match the features you need according to the various Fitbit options out there.
4. Your Child’s Sense of Responsibility
Finally, I like to consider the sense of responsibility of my child before I buy him something, even if it’s not a Fitbit.
I know that there are kids who are responsible already, even at a young age.
On the other hand, there are older kids out there who are more carefree than others.
After all, even the cheapest Fitbit isn’t really “cheap”.
Pros and Cons of Fitbit for Kids
The Advantages of Fitbit for Kids
It can motivate your kids to be more active.
This is what I like best from our Fitbit; it motivates my child to be more active.
It encourages him to play outside rather than stare at a screen.
If wearing the tracker itself is not motivating enough, then the reward system will do the trick.
There are a lot of badges that your child can collect whenever he completes his milestones.
In fact, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, wearable devices like Fitbit can efficiently facilitate and “accelerate” physical activity through proper motivation.
It can help track your kid’s bedtime.
Am I the only one who finds it hard to keep track of my child’s bedtime?
What’s worse is that there really was no way for me to check if he’s really sleeping or not.
That is, until Fitbit.
Its sleep tracking feature provides me a great deal of insight about my child’s sleeping patterns and sleep quality—and yes, this includes sleeping hours.
It makes physical activity a social one.
Our Fitbit encourages our child to get out more and play with other kids, but aside from that, it also allows him to have a friendly competition with his friends at school by doing challenges and collecting badges.
The Disadvantages of Fitbit for Kids
It is not accurate.
While Fitbit is said to be the most accurate of all fitness trackers out there, in the end, it’s still not perfect.
For instance, it can track your steps by sensing the movement of your wrists.
Hence, if you’re not moving your wrist (for instance, if you’re doing a quick workout session with your foldable under-desk treadmill as you work), then it won’t recognize and track it.
Aside from that, the data about how many calories you (or your child) have burned during a fitness session is based on smart estimates and calculations of your movements.
In fact, there’s already been a study done on Fitbit accuracy by the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Too much information can take the fun out of play.
Accuracy is not the biggest let down for me, however.
It’s the fact that having a Fitbit and gaining access to all of this info can be a double-edged sword.
As much as it can encourage, it can also let your kid down, thinking that he already played enough since he’s already dead tired, but it still wasn’t enough to be “healthy”.
There are a lot of times when we have to listen to what our body is telling us, after all, instead of listening to an outside source like a Fitbit.
That, for me, is a lesson that is also very important to teach young minds.
Aside from that, it can also take the fun out of play, as having a Fitbit on can transform careless adventures into a tracked chore or a required workout.
Remember, we all work out and stay fit for different reasons.
Some do it because of health reasons, while others think certain workouts are fun (like Zumba or just plain dancing).
There are also some of us who find working out to be therapeutic.
All of these aspects can change once you insert numbers into the picture.
Our Favorite Fitbit for Kids
In the end, it will all boil down to you and your kid’s personal needs and preferences.
If you’re going to ask me of my favorite choice in this line-up, then it has got to be Fitbit Ace 2.
First of all, it’s designed for kids.
Its straps can be switched around, and the clock face can also be modified with fun characters and avatars.
As for durability, as long as the tracker stays well-fitted into the strap, the straps themselves are very reliable even during rougher activities.
Speaking of which, it’s water-resistant, too, and has a lot of other fun features other than the ones we have mentioned.
As an alternative, and if you’re not really buying for a very young child, I think it would be best to invest in a Fitbit Versa 2.
It provides the complete features of a Fitbit, and Alexa can prove useful and helpful to your kid.
What I personally love about this piece, though, which is also what sets it apart from others, is the music feature.
Being able to play music on your Fitbit means that you don’t have to bring your phone with you during your workouts anymore.
This means there’ll be no notifications that can distract you from your routine, and the same goes for your kid if he’s hooked into social media (because who isn’t?).
Stay fit!
