On the lookout for kid-friendly methods to remain linked with out handing over a full-blown smartphone? Me too!
Right here’s a vacation present information filled with smartphone alternate options that hold children protected and shield their consideration spans.

In case you’re elevating a baby today, inevitably you’ll hear:

“Mother/Dad, when can I’ve a cellphone???”
Triple query marks included.

My solutions have ranged from “by no means” to “while you’re 25,” and on calmer days, a really cheap 17. I like tech, however even I battle to place my smartphone down — how might I count on my child to do higher?

That’s the place these smartphone alternate options are available in.
As a tech editor at Gadget Circulation, I see a ton of intelligent units designed to maintain children linked with out tossing them into TikTok-land. These devices permit calls, texts, and have GPS—no FOMO included.

I’ve had numerous conversations with my oldest about when she will get a cellphone, and I do know so many dad and mom are navigating the identical stress. Books like The Anxious Technology have solely made it clearer: our youngsters deserve house to develop up with out fixed digital noise.

So this 12 months, because the vacation want listing chatter ramps up, I’m specializing in kid-safe smartphone alternate options that shield their consideration and provides us dad and mom peace of thoughts.

Listed here are my favourite finds.

Gabb Watch 3e

You’ve most likely heard of Gabb telephones — the internet-free “starter telephones” for older children. The Gabb Watch 3e is their smartwatch tackle the identical concept, made for the 5–12 crowd. It’s cute, cozy, and consists of speech-to-text, so youthful children can fireplace off messages with out looking for tiny letters. You additionally get a number of keyboard choices, dependable community protection, and wi-fi charging.

In case you’ve ever apprehensive about getting separated on the mall or a busy playground, this watch is a lifesaver. I might additionally see it being tremendous useful for teenagers in after-school care —they’re actually one button away from listening to your voice.

Function-wise, it’s stacked: GPS monitoring, Protected-Zone alerts, limitless calling and texting, and as much as 100 parent-approved contacts. There’s additionally a calculator, alarm, timer, and stopwatch.

I like the main target modes you possibly can toggle remotely, plus the flexibility to create to-do lists to your child. Now, they gained’t neglect to search for their misplaced hoodie in school. Parenting win!

Amazon Checklist Value: $149.99

Bark Watch

The Bark Watch was launched in December 2024 and has obtained stable critiques on-line. It’s a reasonably cut-and-dry smartwatch with a give attention to security and communication moderately than video games and flashy extras. Dad and mom say setup is tremendous easy, that means minimal ready (and whining) out of your children. Core options embody GPS location monitoring, emergency SOS, and a number of other methods for teenagers to remain in contact.

It’s waterproof as much as 5 toes for half-hour, so it might probably completely survive my children’ day by day shenanigans. It’s also possible to monitor their texts, images, and movies for peace of thoughts. Plus, there’s a 5 MP selfie cam, stay location monitoring, school-mode schedules, distant shutdown, and even to-do lists/reminders—which completely makes life simpler when you want them to complete homework with the babysitter earlier than you get dwelling.

Amazon Checklist Value: $169

TickTalk5

TickTalk5 is in style with testers for its FaceTime-style video chat, which makes it simple to name Mother, Dad, and even grandparents (love that it retains the generations shut!). Youngsters can even ship video and picture messages they usually get entry to music, podcasts, and tales from iHeart Radio.

The security perks make my mum or dad mind chill out: talk-to-text (no keyboard), an SOS 911 button, and a listen-in function. The SOS button connects children on to 911 or designated emergency contacts. In the event that they’re harm or misplaced, they simply faucet. The listen-in operate is particularly attention-grabbing: you possibly can silently name the watch, and it’ll quietly name you again so you possibly can hear what’s occurring round your little one. Tremendous useful when you’re apprehensive they’re not with the appropriate folks otherwise you suspect bullying in school.

Amazon Checklist Value: $159.99 Deal Value: $135.99, 15% OFF

KARRI Messenger

Stepping away from the smartwatch type issue, the KARRI Messenger is a enjoyable voice messenger that retains dad and mom and youngsters linked. The trendy analog design, giant buttons, and a cute pixel dot show make it immediately kid-friendly. Worn like a necklace, children can obtain on the spot messages from you, whilst you observe their location by way of GPS on the KARRI app. It’s also possible to arrange protected zones with push notifications and be part of one-on-one or group chats..

What I like most is that youngsters can report and ship their very own voice messages. It helps them apply utilizing a brand new machine and take into consideration what they wish to say earlier than sending it — a small step towards independence. In case you’ve ever used a Yoto participant, KARRI’s look is analogous. Lastly, the Karri case is Faucet-to-Pay prepared…when you’re courageous sufficient for it!

Checklist Value: $115.99 Preorder Value: $65.99

BoT Speak GPS Tracker for Youngsters

In order for you one thing low-key but sensible, the BoT Speak GPS Tracker for Youngsters is a tiny tag with surprisingly massive brains. It makes use of AI to study your little one’s day by day routine and sends computerized alerts once they arrive or depart acquainted spots (like dwelling, faculty, after-school actions). If one thing appears to be like off, you’ll know quick.

It helps two-way voice messaging, so you possibly can swap fast updates with no need a full smartwatch setup. You additionally get real-time location monitoring plus a motion historical past log, which is nice for peace of thoughts once they’re bouncing between faculty and extracurriculars.

As a bonus, you should utilize it to trace bikes, scooters, and even the household automobile. It does require a month-to-month subscription, and as soon as canceled, the machine can’t be reused, so make certain it’s the appropriate setup for your loved ones earlier than you commit.

Amazon Checklist Value: $59.99

Tile Professional by Life360

In case your fundamental objective is just preserving tabs in your kiddo in case you get separated, the Tile Professional by Life360 is principally a sensible tag you possibly can clip to them at airports, amusement parks, vacationer spots…you get the thought. It has the longest vary of all Tile trackers and works with each iOS and Android, making it simple to verify their location out of your cellphone.

There’s additionally an SOS button your little one can press in the event that they really feel unsafe. It’s a small however significant layer of safety while you’re navigating crowded or unfamiliar locations collectively. And my favourite perk? You may add all of your Tiles proper into the Life360 app, so your folks and your stuff stay on the identical map. Helpful!

Amazon Value: $34.99

Closing Ideas

Youngsters don’t want the countless feeds, fixed pings, and digital rabbit holes that include a conventional smartphone. What they do want is a solution to attain us—and for us to know they’re protected. These units do precisely that: they provide communication, location, and a contact of real-world independence.

Whether or not you’re gifting this vacation season or simply planning forward, these kid-safe picks assist households keep linked whereas letting childhood keep…effectively, childhood.