With back-to-school season upon us, parents and caregivers are likely feeling some separation anxiety. If your kid isn’t yet ready for a smartphone, the stress of not having your child immediately in eyesight might be higher. Thankfully, GPS trackers can monitor you child’s location.
After speaking to experts and parents, we’ve selected the best GPS trackers and devices to monitor your child’s location. Our top pick goes to the Apple Air Tag, currently on sale for $24, due to its ease-of-use and accurate tracking. We went hands-on with some of the best devices on the market. Read on to find which GPS tracker is right for you and your family.
Also: The best parental control apps to keep your kids safe
“As a mother, ensuring the safety and well-being of my child is of utmost importance,” Dr. Kaitlyn Siu, a child neurologist and founder and CEO of Teach Your Kids Code, told ZDNET. “However, I would balance the need for safety with respecting [my child’s] privacy and autonomy, using the tracker as a tool for peace of mind rather than for constant surveillance.”
What is the best GPS tracker for kids right now?
ZDNET spoke to parents and professionals like Dr. Siu to determine the best GPS trackers and devices to stay aware of your child’s location. Our pick for the best GPS tracker for kids overall is the Apple AirTag since it’s reasonably priced and uses Apple’s comprehensive Find My network for accurate tracking.
Though more expensive, we also liked the Garmin Bounce and Xplora XGO3 smartwatches.
The best GPS trackers and devices for kids in 2025
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Why we like it: The Apple AirTag is an affordable and accurate solution to keep track of your child’s location. It works with the Find My app and seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem.
Apple’s AirTags are about the size of a quarter, and there are countless accessories you can use to attach the small tracker to a jacket, backpack, or even slip it into your child’s pocket. The device uses an easily replaceable CR2032 battery lasts that lasts around a year.
The AirTag offers a solid performance. However, one caveat is that an AirTag requires another Apple device to be nearby and connected to the internet to share its location with Apple’s Find My network. For example, if your child doesn’t have an Apple device with cellular capabilities, tracking a young child on the school bus requires someone — most likely another student or the bus driver — to have an iPhone or cellular Apple Watch. If there aren’t any Apple devices on the bus, the location can’t update.
Review: Apple AirTag
Who’s it for: The AirTag will best serve families already using Apple products.
ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani tested out placing AirTags on his children’s backpacks and found that he could still track them during a school day. “One backpack was located about 30 minutes prior, and the other had just had its location reported 2 minutes before I’d checked,” he wrote. “Presumably, a teacher walked by their backpack with an iPhone in their pocket, or one of the students’ iPads picked up the tag’s Bluetooth signal and reported it back Apple, which in turn lets me view the location in somewhat real-time.”
Of the customers who purchased an AirTag at Best Buy, 96% said they would recommend it to a friend. The device’s overall review rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Who should look elsewhere: If you’re not already an Apple product user, you’ll want to check out our other recommendations.
Apple AirTag specs: Price: $29 or four for $99 | Battery life: One year | Real-time tracking: No | Monthly cost: None | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple’s Find My Network
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Why we like it: Garmin’s latest kids’ smartwatch, the Bounce, offers real-time location tracking, communication features, health and sleep tracking, and games.
Also: The best Garmin watches
Who’s it for: This is a great pick for parents wanting to keep track of their kids while introducing smartwatch tech in a controlled environment.
Bounce uses location tracking to show parents their child’s current whereabouts in the Garmin app and be notified when their child leaves pre-approved areas.
In addition, you can view health metrics like sleep, steps, and active minutes to keep an eye on your growing child. Garmin also includes activity-related games within the watch so kids can unlock rewards for meeting goals or responsibilities, like completing a chore.
LTE connectivity, available from Garmin for $10 per month, allows your child to text and voice message up to 20 parent-approved contacts.
Parents on Reddit who have bought the watch for their kids say it’s great with notifications and location updates, especially for school-bound kids.
Who should look elsewhere: Garmin’s smartwatch has a lot of bells and whistles. Parents and caregivers who want a more minimal tracker should keep shopping. The service also requires a subscription.
Garmin Bounce specs: Price: $150 | Battery life: Two days | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: $10 per month | Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, LTE
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Why we like it: The SyncUp Kids Watch 2 is perfect for kids still too young for a smartphone but mature enough to care for a gadget.
Who’s it for: This device is another great option to safely introduce your kids to smartwatch tech. It includes a camera, and your child can use the device to send and receive messages. With the task manager, a parent can add chores or other tasks for their child to focus on after school, along with real-time location tracking.
The interface is playful and easy for a child to use and includes a “School Mode” that disables extra features during class time to limit distraction.
One T-Mobile reviewer who gave the device five stars said, “The only people allowed to contact the watch are set by you, the parent. It’s a good way to access your kids when they are away, but it also lets them feel like they are growing up some.
Who should look elsewhere: The SyncUp Kids Watch 2 might be easier to get started with if you’re already a T-Mobile user. The device is expensive at $174, but if you add a line to your T-Mobile account, you can get the watch for free.
In addition, if you’d prefer a more minimal tracking device, you should look elsewhere.
Also: The best smartwatches for kids
SyncUp Kids Watch 2 specs: Price: $174 | Battery life: 8 hours of talk time | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: No | Connectivity: 4G LTE
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Why we like it: Verizon’s Gizmo Watch 3 is a location tracking device with special features to help your kids stay on task.
Who’s it for: This is a great option if you like T-Mobile’s SyncUp Kids watch, but you’re subscribed to Verizon.
You can send and receive messages and calls, and it has a built-in camera. You can add up to 10 trusted contacts for your child to communicate with while wearing the watch. The carrier also offers a camera-less version of the watch.
You’ll also get real-time tracking and geofence support to receive alerts when your child leaves or arrives at a specific location. Similarly to the SyncUp Kids watch, you can create tasks for your child and set up school mode to prevent them from using the watch at school or during other activities.
“We bought the Verizon GizmoWatch about two years ago for our kiddos, then aged 6 and 8,” said Kendra Paulson, who is a freelance writer. “We live on a military base, and while it is pretty safe here, we wanted to have a way to communicate with our girls while they were out riding bikes and playing in the neighborhood. I can glance at the Gizmo map and see where my kids are, and we can text and call back and forth, so it’s like having a starter phone that straps to their wrist.”
The Gizmo watch costs $150 and have a one-time $35 activation fee from Verizon.
Who should look elsewhere: Like T-Mobile’s kids watch, Verizon’s Gizmo watch will work better for existing customers, otherwise you’ll need to sign up for a cellular plan.
Verizon customers also say the battery life is shorter than advertised.
Also: The best kids’ phones for keeping you in touch
Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 tech specs: Price: $150, plus a $35 activation fee | Battery life: Up to 3.5 days (standby) or 1.5 days constant use | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: No | Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (4G)
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Why we like it: The Xplora XGO3 watch uses GPS, active Wi-Fi, and GSM triangulation to provide real-time location tracking. It also offers geofencing, so you can set up safety zones around key locations like home and school. If your child wanders out of these pre-marked areas, you will be notified.
Review: Xplora XGO3
Who’s it for: The XGO3 offers a reliable way to keep track of your kids but adds some extra fun.
The watch doesn’t have any games, but games are available via the GoPlay app. For every 1,000 steps that your child takes, they will earn one Xcoin, which can be saved up and redeemed for real prizes in the GoPlay store. To do so, you’ll need to access a smartphone or tablet. Verified customers say it’s an intelligent way to gamify health and fitness for little ones.
ZDNET writer Maria Diaz tested the watch on her daughter and said it gave her peace of mind. “From my testing, the GPS tracking in the XGO3 is reliable, especially because I can set up specific safety zones within the Xplora app, like for home and school, and be notified when my child leaves those areas,” she wrote in her review. “The app also shows historical tracking data, which is handy when you need to recall past activities.”
Who should look elsewhere: A monthly subscription is required to use the watch and its services. The prices range from $10 to $14 per month excluding tax.
Xplora XGO3 specs: Price: $99 | Battery life: 72 hours (on standby) | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: $10-$14 per month | Connectivity: Cellular (SIM card), Wi-Fi, GPS
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Our recommendation for the best GPS tracker for kids is Apple AirTag. However, any of the options on this list would make good GPS trackers and devices for kids. It just depends on what you want, and which features are a priority to you.
GPS tracker device | Price | Battery | Real-time tracking? |
Apple AirTag | $29 | One year | No |
Garmin Bounce | $150 | Two days | Yes |
SyncUp Kids Watch 2 | $174 | One week | Yes |
Verizon GizmoWatch | $150 | Up to three days (standby) or 1.5 days of constant use | Yes |
Xplora XGO3 | $100 | 72 hours (on standby) | Yes |
Choose this GPS tracker… | If you want… |
Apple AirTag | The best overall tracker for most people. There’s no monthly fee, and the battery lasts around a year. |
Garmin Bounce | A smartwatch loaded with features and real-time tracking. Parents can use location tracking on the Bounce to view their child’s current whereabouts in the Garmin app. |
SyncUp Kids Watch 2 | A wearable watch for kids under T-Mobile. The wrist-worn gadget costs $174, but you can get it for free if you add a line to your account. |
Verizon Gizmo Watch | A wearable watch for kids under Verizon. You can create tasks for your child and set up school mode to keep them from using the watch at school. |
Xplora XGO 3 | A GPS watch that encourages kids to play outside. With geofencing, you can set up safety zones around critical locations, like home and school. |
If you’re buying a GPS tracker for your kids, you should consider the following:
- Privacy: Keeping your child’s information and data is of the utmost importance with any tech device, so we looked at trackers and devices with privacy features like encryption, parental controls, and two-way communication so you can contact your child.
- Real-time tracking: We included trackers and devices that have real-time GPS tracking, which uses satellite signals to determine the precise location of the device, so you know exactly where your child is at any given moment.
- Battery life: A tracking device serves little purpose if it’s out of battery, so we looked at devices with long battery lives so you don’t have to recharge constantly.
- Price: These tracking devices can range dramatically in price, but we tried to keep all products under at least $200.
The parental controls are set from your phone, using the Xplora app.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
When we test smartwatches, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best when tested in the real world.
- Daily wear: We wear the smartwatch as our primary watch, with communications, applications, and other elements being tested as if it were our only smartwatch.
- Application selection and performance: One aspect that makes smartwatches different than standard watches is the support for applications. We load up the watch with apps and then test the performance and functionality of those applications. For example, Apple particularly excels in the area of third-party application support.
- Workouts: Smartwatch makers have embraced health and fitness so we take smartwatches out for running with GPS, rowing on the Hydrow, biking on trails, and walking with the family. GPS and heart rate data is tracked and then we evaluate the accuracy against proven GPS sports watches.
- Sleep and activity tracking: Sleep tracking has improved with smartwatches over time and we evaluate and compare them to smart rings and other watches. Nighttime is also a good time to charge your smartwatch, so you may choose not to use your watch to track sleep so your watch can serve faithfully all day and into the night.
For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive smartwatch testing methodology.
Latest news about GPS trackers
- Skechers launched the Find My Skechers sneaker line with a hidden Apple AirTag slot. The shoe’s insole lifts to reveal a special plastic compartment for the tracker.
- School buses in Allen Parish, LA will be outfitted with GPS trackers. Through a partnership with tech company SamSara, the trackers can tell parents a bus’ location, if it’s delayed, and any potential mechanical issues.
The device uses a satellite network to determine its location. A GPS tracker converts these satellite signals into data such as velocity, time, and position so that you can see exactly where the device and, in turn, your child, is.
No, Fitbit makes GPS-enabled activity trackers for kids, but not location trackers with real-time location tracking.
Privacy concerns and ethics are the main concerns about GPS tracking devices in general, especially when it comes to tracking children. ZDNET asked parents how they felt.
“As my daughters grow older and eventually head off into the world on their own, it will cross my mind wanting to know where they’re at and whether they’re safe,” said parent and Ling App co-founder Kanyarat Nuchangpuek.
“On the other hand, it bothers me that I could be crossing a line peeking into their private lives. It’s similar to finding out that your mother read your diary. It’s an invasion of privacy and may also deter my children from experiencing life in their own way. Having to wonder, “Is mommy watching?” shouldn’t be a natural thought.”
Regardless of your choice, it’s a good idea to protect your data, especially when it involves your child’s location.
Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you
For example, when signing up for an account, use a unique and complicated password — preferably stored in a password manager — to add a layer of protection to your account.
If you’re unsure about a product or service, always be sure to read through the company’s privacy policy.
The AirTag uses Bluetooth to help locate items, but it’s limited if your child isn’t nearby Apple devices. The AngelSense works anywhere with cellular coverage and is specifically designed for kids. It offers real-time GPS tracking, including two-way voice and SOS alerts.
Unfortunately, many GPS trackers and devices for kids require an additional subscription payment. This is especially true if the device requires an app with advanced features or a wearable that provides LTE connectivity.
Be sure to factor this extra cost into your final decision.
Latest updates:
- In our August 2025 update, we performed substantial layout and copy changes. We also added a latest news section on GPS trackers.
Other GPS trackers to consider
ZDNET sourced external industry experts for this article. Here is more information about them:
For more on GPS tracker news and reviews, check out our quick tips on how to GPS-track a phone and why we love Garmin’s eTrex Solar tracker.
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