Looking for the best waterproof smart watch for kids in 2025? We tested, swam with, and daily‑drove this year’s top models to find the ones that survive cannonballs, rainstorms, and hand‑washing marathons, without sacrificing safety features. Below, you’ll find our ranked picks with water ratings (WR50, 5 ATM, IP68, IP67), GPS and parental controls, and battery reality checks. Quick answer: Garmin Bounce and Xplora X6 Play are your swim‑ready standouts, while Apple Watch SE (Family Setup) is the premium option that’s also pool‑friendly. If you just need a waterproof kids smart watch for everyday splashes and reliable calling, Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and Gabb Watch 3 are great first‑phone alternatives.
How we ranked: We prioritized waterproofing, core safety (GPS, SOS, parent‑approved contacts), ease of use for kids, and real‑world battery life. Prices change often, so we focus on value and features rather than dollar amounts. As always at Smartwatches.org, we’re independent and reader‑first, here’s what actually held up in our tests.
1. Apple Watch SE (Family Setup): Premium Swim‑Ready Pick
Waterproof Rating
Swim‑ready WR50. The Apple Watch SE is safe for pool swimming and everyday water exposure (not for scuba or high‑velocity water).
Why It Stands Out
If you want the most polished waterproof kids smart watch experience, this is it. Family Setup lets you run the watch for your child without giving them an iPhone. You get Apple’s smooth performance, best‑in‑class haptics, and accurate sensors. It’s also the only pick here that grows with older kids, workouts, fall detection, and robust app support make it feel like a “real” smartwatch.
Safety & Controls
Family Setup enables GPS tracking, Emergency SOS, and contact approval. Schooltime mode locks down distractions during class. You control everything from your iPhone, including location notifications and limits on communication.
Battery Life & Caveats
Expect about 18 hours per charge, fine for a full day, but nightly charging is the norm. LTE drains faster. It’s pricier than kid‑focused watches and requires an iPhone for setup and management. For families already in the Apple ecosystem, though, the experience is unmatched.
2. Garmin Bounce: Rugged GPS Watch With 5 ATM Water Resistance
Waterproof Rating
5 ATM (up to 50 meters). The Bounce is built for the pool and rough‑and‑tumble play, no worries about swim lessons or shower splashes.
Why It Stands Out
Garmin made a kid‑ready tank. The Bounce brings a grown‑up brand’s outdoor chops to a waterproof smart watch for kids: sturdy build, dependable activity tracking, and a simple interface that kids figure out fast. It doesn’t rely on third‑party apps: what’s here is tuned for reliability.
Safety & Controls
One‑touch SOS sends an alert with live location. Geofencing and check‑ins are managed in Garmin’s parent app, which is straightforward and stable in our testing. Contact lists are locked down to approved numbers only.
Battery Life & Caveats
With LTE on, plan for up to 2 days: longer if you keep cellular off and lean on Wi‑Fi. Pros: rugged hardware, swim‑ready confidence, clear location tools. Cons: limited app ecosystem and watch faces, so customization is basic, function over flash.
3. Verizon Gizmo Watch 3: Kid‑Friendly, IP68, And Great For First Phones
Waterproof Rating
IP68. Dustproof and capable of handling continuous immersion up to 1.5 meters, excellent for rain, splash play, and accidental dunks.
Why It Stands Out
As a first phone alternative, the Gizmo Watch 3 nails the basics: crisp call quality, intuitive UI, and a size most small wrists tolerate well. The companion app is one of the clearest for parents, fast setup, clean location maps, and simple contact controls.
Safety & Controls
GPS tracking with location history, SOS button, and strict parent‑approved contacts. You can set geofences for alerts when kids arrive/leave school or practice.
Battery Life & Caveats
We averaged around 2–3 days between charges with moderate calling and location pings. It’s a locked ecosystem with limited apps, by design, which keeps distractions down. Best for families who want dependable calls, texts, and location without the extras.
4. Xplora X6 Play: IP68 With Activity Rewards And School Mode
Waterproof Rating
IP68. Swim‑friendly enough for pool time and robust against dust and everyday splashes.
Why It Stands Out
The X6 Play is the fun pick: bold colors, interchangeable parts, and gamified activity rewards that turn steps into points for kid‑safe experiences. It feels more like a kid gadget, in a good way, while still offering a confident waterproof build.
Safety & Controls
GPS tracking, safe zones, and School Mode to mute distractions. Contacts and communication are tightly controlled via the parent app. Kids love the customization: parents appreciate the guardrails.
Battery Life & Caveats
Figure on 16+ hours in typical use, daylong stamina with a nightly top‑up. It’s chunkier than the Gizmo and can feel big on very small wrists. The price lands on the higher side for a kid‑centric watch, but the customization and rewards system may be worth it for motivation.
5. Gabb Watch 3: Simple, Safe, And IP68 For Everyday Splashes
Waterproof Rating
IP68. Built to survive rain, hand‑washing, and the occasional dunk. Gabb labels it for everyday water exposure rather than full swim sessions.
Why It Stands Out
This is the minimalist, safe starter. The interface is intentionally simple, there’s no open internet, and the Gorilla Glass screen takes kid life in stride. If you want a waterproof kids smart watch that’s focused on calling, texting, and location, nothing more, it’s a solid fit.
Safety & Controls
Parent‑approved contacts only, GPS location sharing, and a clean app for alerts and boundaries. No camera means fewer privacy concerns for school.
Battery Life & Caveats
The 500mAh battery and wireless charging pad make nightly charging painless. Pros: durable, distraction‑free, clear calling. Cons: not designed for full swimming, and the lack of extras (camera, apps) is a pro or con depending on your family’s needs.
6. T‑Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch: IP68 With Reliable LTE And GPS
Waterproof Rating
IP68. Rated for splashes, rain, and short immersions, fine for everyday water mishaps.
Why It Stands Out
Coverage matters. On T‑Mobile‘s network, SyncUP offers steady LTE and GPS performance with a simple UI. It’s a straightforward waterproof smart watch for kids who need consistent connectivity for pickup coordination and quick check‑ins.
Safety & Controls
The parent app supports live location, geofencing, and contact approval. School‑time restrictions help keep focus during class.
Battery Life & Caveats
Plan for about 1–2 days per charge based on call frequency and location refresh rate. It’s carrier‑tied, best if your family already uses T‑Mobile. Feature set is practical, not flashy: great for communication and tracking, less so for games or customization.
7. TickTalk 4: Feature‑Rich Communicator With IP67 Splash Protection
Waterproof Rating
IP67. Splash‑proof and fine in rain or accidental splashes, but not intended for swimming or long submersion.
Why It Stands Out
TickTalk 4 is packed: video calling, voice messages, activity tracking, music options, and a big, bright screen. If your kid is ready for max communication features, and you’re okay with a larger device, this brings the most phone‑like experience.
Safety & Controls
Real‑time GPS, a firewall that blocks unknown contacts, and a robust parent app for approvals and schedules. School mode tones down notifications.
Battery Life & Caveats
Up to 100 hours on standby, shorter with heavy calling and video. It’s bulky for younger kids, and IP67 means you’ll want it off at swim practice. Think of it as a feature feast for land life, not the pool.
Conclusion
If you want a waterproof smart watch for kids that can actually swim, prioritize Garmin Bounce (5 ATM) and Xplora X6 Play (IP68). For a premium, future‑proof feel with excellent safety tools, Apple Watch SE (Family Setup) stands out, especially for families already on iPhone. If your priority is a simple, safe communicator that shrugs off rain and splashes, Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and Gabb Watch 3 are easy wins. T‑Mobile SyncUP is dependable if you’re on that network, and TickTalk 4 is the feature king, just keep it dry around the pool.
Buying tips:
- Match water rating to real use: WR50/5 ATM/IP68 for swimmers: IP67 for splash‑only.
- Check carrier coverage before you commit to LTE models.
- Decide on distraction level: Some kids thrive with basics (calls, GPS), others want activity rewards or video calling.
- Plan for charging: Most kid watches last 1–2 days: Apple Watch SE needs nightly power.
At Smartwatches.org, we keep testing as models evolve. If you’ve lived with a waterproof kids smart watch that impressed you (or failed the bathtub test), share your experience, we’ll update this guide so more parents can buy confidently.