Best kids’ fitness trackers – top children’s activity trackers – Runner’s World (UK)

This fitness tracker was crowned the best by all three of our rigorous young testers. It was impressively accurate at tracking steps and active minutes and they liked that it was waterproof enough to be worn in the swimming pool or shower. The secure clasp is easy to open with small fingers and the comfortable elastomer straps are interchangeable for matching tastes at different ages.

The children’s parents liked the reminders to move, which successfully nudged their kids into being active, and the bedtime alerts and sleep tracker proved helpful too. The battery lasts for up to five days before needing a two-hour recharge. The downside is that the data can only be synced to the child’s phone or the parent’s – not both.

Key specs
Works with: Apple and Android
Strap material: Elastomer
Battery life: Up to 5 days
Screen size: 0.72 inch

The novelty won’t wear off with this motivating activity tracker. It’s available in a choice of child-friendly themes, including Star Wars and Disney princesses. Whenever the child hits a fitness target, new games and stories relating to the theme are unlocked on the accompanying app. This helps kids form new habits and routines that will keep them exercising in the longer-term.

The gadget is waterproof and comes with clasp bands for older children and stretchy bands for younger ages. The screen can be personalised with names and pictures for added appeal, but our testers found it too dark, and the little button you press to light it up proved fiddly. Parents will appreciate the tooth-brushing timer that helps kids brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes. The replaceable watch battery lasts for up to a year, too.

Key specs
Works with: Apple and Android
Strap material: Elastomer
Battery life: Up to 1 year
Screen size: 0.5 inch

If you want to get your child a fitness tracker but don’t want to splash the cash on something that may not have longevity, try this affordable model. Though not the most accurate on test, it has a big, well-lit screen and an alarm that vibrates when it’s time to get up for school. It’s a shame it’s not waterproof, meaning parents may have to remind children to take it off before showering.

Unlike the Fitbit and the Garmin, it does have a calorie counter, which may not sit well with parents. Our panel found the clasp fiddly to do up but liked that the battery lasts nearly a week before needing a recharge. It comes with a printed band and a colourful band for swapping in and out.

Key specs
Works with: Apple and Android
Strap material: Elastomer
Battery life: Up to 5 days
Screen size: 1.5 inch