Best 5 GPS Trackers for Kids

Having kids in the modern world can be tough.

When they are away from you – at school, in the park, at the beach, they are at risk. With child predators around, the only reason your child is safe is… luck of the draw.

[Read: Apps to track people without them knowing]

How about putting tech to work for you? Read on to discover some of the most effective ways to keep track of your kids.

Spy Tec STI_GL300

The Spy Tec STI_GL300 is a GPS tracker that provides on-demand location information and has a long battery life, so you don’t have to charge it every night. It’s inbuilt accelerometer only activates the tracker when there is movement, thereby preserving battery life further.

Meanwhile, its durable construction can take the beating of a kid’s life. In fact, it’s water-resistant so that you can count on it all summer long. This is one of the most affordable models with great functionality. And it’s not just something you can put in your child’s backpack. This unit can also go under a car, or attach it to your teen or spouse’s belt.

Pros include a high degree of accuracy to within 15 feet. Cons include the expensive monthly subscription plan. At the end of the day, we can forgive the absence of a dedicated app and the exorbitant subscription fee to give a thumb’s up to a durable, powerful kid tracker.

Tile Slim

The tile slim is a lean Bluetooth gizmo that can help you track lost items, including your child. It slides easily into backpacks or kids’ purses and wallets. Then, you use your smartphone to trigger a loud chime from the Tile Slim. This is great for family outings and birthday parties at parks or other places kids can wander off. Outside of Bluetooth range, you can access the last known location via an app. You can also tap other Tile users to help.

Pros include a thin, flexible design that stows easily. It’s a simple and well-baked idea with the added benefit of helping you find lost items, such as purses or book bags. However, on the con side, it’s tied to potentially short-range Blue Tooth technology that can work against you if your child wanders out of range. Also, the battery is not removable, so you can’t replace it. This means you’ll have to buy new tiles on a continual basis to replace depleted old ones.

hereO GPS Watch

You want to keep track of your kids, they want to look good and be surrounded by things that appeal to their aesthetics. The hereO GPS watch comes in an array of vivid colors that fit kids’ fashion sense. The thin design is comfortable enough to wear all day. Features include real-time tracking, the ability to set up safety zones, and location tracking. You always know where your child is so that you can both feel safer and more confidant on-the-go.

Pros include a tamper alert that notifies the whole family if someone removes the device. It can also be locked so children cannot take it off. Real-time tracking capability means you can check your kid’s location at any time. Also, it fits children as young as three. The con here is that its steep price tag is hard to swallow, and it doesn’t have two-way calling.

AmbyGear Smartwatch

The AmbyGear Smartwatch doesn’t just keep track of your child, it entertains them with games and activities. There is a reward and positive reinforcement whenever they get something right. With this watch, your kids can track you too, which is only fair. It can also help calm them down if they lose sight of you on an outing.

Pros include the reward system, calendar app and learning activities. Cons include the potential for distraction. With so many activities, your child can become distracted from school and other activities that require their full attention. As a standout feature, AmbyGear evens the playing field by letting kids track you too.

Weenect Kids GPS

Get ultimate accuracy in discerning your child’s whereabouts. Weenect has a live map and distance countdown to make it easier to locate your kid. Weenect GPS lets you define safety zones. It comes with a panic button, and its two-way calling makes it easy to stay connected to kids too small for smartphones.

In the Pros column, Weenect Kids has a long battery life that doesn’t require daily recharging. You can set up an unlimited number of safe zones so that your child doesn’t have to feel restricted. Finally, its unlimited GPS tracking means that distance isn’t an issue when you’re looking for your kids. The biggest con is that, although portable, it isn’t wearable. You have to remember to pack it in a backpack every day, and backpacks can be left behind.

Conclusion

There are many choices it the world of wearable, portable tech for kids. Budget is a reality that cannot be ignored. However, nothing is as important as keeping your child safe. Select a product that both you and your child understand and agree to. Make them a partner in their own safety. Talk to kids about features like listen-in capability for special needs kids, the possibility of two-way calling or tracking, and the importance of establishing and respecting safety zones.

Hopefully, you will never have to rely on this technology to locate your child. However, if you do, you’ll be glad you put it the time to research and prepare for any occasion that arises.