Buying your kids a watch is a great way to help them keep time and encourage them to take responsibility.
With their own watch, your kids can see for themselves when it’s time for dinner, or when they need to come back home after a playdate with a friend.
However, most parents would agree that a kids watch needs to be robust enough to stand up to some wear and tear.
A waterproof watch for children is essential, as they’re unlikely to remember to take a watch off before jumping in a pool, washing their hands, or playing in the rain.
Waterproof childrens watches can look very similar to adult models and offer all kinds of features.
Importantly, a waterproof childrens watch should be easy for a child to use and fit their smaller wrist well.
We’ve scanned the market for waterproof watches for kids and found some great options.
Read on for a selection, and our choice of the best waterproof kids watch.
See Our Best Boys Waterproof Watches
# | PREVIEW | Product | |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|||
2 |
|
|
|
|
|||
3
Best Overall
3Cofuo Digital Sports Waterproof Watch for Kids
|
|
|
|
|
|||
4
Best For Low Budgets
4AXSPT LED Multi Function Digital Waterproof Childrens Watch
|
|
|
|
|
|||
5 |
|
|
|
|
|||
1. Cofuo Digital Sports Waterproof Watch for Kids
- Colorful design
- Comfortable silicone rubber band
- LED backlight in seven different colors
- Alarm function
This watch is simple and colorful, with a comfortable, flexible, and bright silicone strap.
The round face has a digital display, colored to match the strap, with a steel bezel and push buttons for contrast.
The majority of the display is taken up with the time, which can be shown in 12 or 24-hour format. Hours and minutes are on one line with seconds below.
Kids can light up the display after dark with the LED backlight that can be set to one of seven different colors.
We did find that the display can be hard to read when the sunlight is shining on it.
There’s an alarm function and also a stopwatch for kids to experiment with, but our experience was that the settings are hard to figure out so you’ll need to persevere.
Specifications
Pros
- Calendar display
- Resin glass
- Water resistant to 50m
- Stopwatch
Cons
- Display is hard to see in sunlight
- Settings are hard to figure out
2. AZLAND Sports Digital Waterproof Kid Watch
- Digital display
- Designed for children over 3 years old, but size suits 6 years +
- Light up screen with 7 different color options
- Day and date display
Although this watch is described as suitable for children aged 3 years and above, we’d suggest it’s best suited to kids of 5 and over.
The colorful camouflage case and strap will appeal to kids, as will the light up screen in seven different colors.
The digital display shows the time with a choice of 12 or 24 hour formats. There’s also a day and date display.
Kids may enjoy trying out the range of functions such as the 12 lap stopwatch, though they’ll certainly need some help to figure out the settings.
The three daily alarms could be used to help with establishing a route such as wake-up or bedtimes, or even used to remind a child to take medications during the school day.
This watch is water resistant to 30m and it’s advertised as suitable for swimming, though we’d tend to be cautious about submerging a watch with a water resistance below 50m.
Specifications
Pros
- 3 daily alarms
- Countdown timer
- Water resistant to 30m
- 12 lap stopwatch
Cons
- Settings may be complicated for a child to figure out
- Buttons beep every time they’re pressed
3. Cofuo Digital Sports Waterproof Watch for Kids
- Rugged, durable design with fun camouflage pattern
- Alarm
- Stopwatch function
- LED backlight
A fun camouflage pattern and a range of functions make this watch an attractive option for kids.
The patterned rubber case will withstand knocks and the strap is flexible and comfortable to wear. This watch also has a resin glass face which is durable and highly transparent.
The dial has a digital display, and the LED backlight which will light the face with the push of a button will appeal to kids.
The main area of the display shows the time in 12 or 24 hour format, with the day and date shown above.
There are stopwatch and alarm functions which are a fun way for kids to learn about planning their time.
The functions are all accessed through the four buttons around the bezel and are easy for kids to use once they’ve had some initial help.
Specifications
Pros
- Water resistant to 50m
- Flexible, comfortable strap
- Resin glass face
- 12 and 24 hour time display
Cons
- Large face may be best suited to older kids (6+ rather than the advertised 4+)
4. AXSPT LED Multi Function Digital Waterproof Childrens Watch
- Shock resistant sports watch design
- Backlight has seven different color options
- Stopwatch function
- Calendar
This digital sports watch design is shock resistant which is ideal for active kids. It has a durable rubber case and a flexible and comfortable polyurethane strap.
Kids will like playing with the different functions of the watch, such as the stopwatch which can be used to time sports activities and the hourly chime.
There is also a backlight with a choice of seven different colors that lights the screen in the dark.
The time can be shown in 12 or 24-hour format and above it is a date display.
Some of the functions aren’t intuitive so we’d recommend showing kids how to use them and holding on to the instructions to refer back to later.
The case is quite bulky so we’d suggest this watch is best suited to kids aged around 6 years old and over.
Specifications
Pros
- Hourly chime function
- Water resistant to 50m
- Daily alarm
- Flexible strap
Cons
- Bulky case is better for older kids
- Some of the settings aren’t intuitive
5. AZLAND Sports Led Digital Watch Waterproof Kid Watch
- Digital sports watch
- Flexible and comfortable rubber strap
- LED backlight
- Alarm with 1 minute snooze
The design of this kids watch is sporty but more streamlined than some we reviewed, so may appeal to slightly older kids who want an adult style.
The case and band are mainly black but with some bright blue accents. The digital display is clear with a black edge that shows the functions of the buttons around the bezel.
The main part of the display shows the time which you can set in 12 or 24 hour format. To the left is an indicator for the day of the week, and above is the date in a separate window.
An LED backlight illuminates the vital information on the display in darkness.
Functions include an alarm, stopwatch and hourly chime. The settings can be tricky to work out so kids will need some assistance.
It’s important to note that this watch is water resistant (to 30m) rather than waterproof as it says in the description.
Specifications
Pros
- Date display
- Water resistant to 30m
- Stopwatch
- Hourly chime
Cons
- Settings can be tricky to work out
- Be aware that this watch is water resistant, not waterproof as in the title
Children’s Waterproof Watch Buying Guide
Type
If you’re wondering which type of watch to buy for your own kids or as a gift for relatives or friends, here are the options you could consider and the pros and cons of each:
Analog
An analog watch features a traditional clock face, so this is ideal if you are looking for a watch that will help your child learn how to tell the time.
Analog watches will typically have fewer features than a digital option, so you’re less likely to find functions such as a stopwatch or alarm.
There are also analog digital watch options, but these are rare, and not many people use them.
Digital
A digital watch will show the time on screen for a child to read, so it won’t teach them to actually read a traditional clock face.
However, for a child who already knows how to tell the time, a digital watch can offer lots of exciting features they can use to help establish their own routines and independence, such as an alarm.
Smart
Older kids, particularly those who love sport, might find a smartwatch appealing.
These watches usually have a digital display and can help track exercise and sports activities, from timing runs to tracking the number of lengths swum.
Features
Active kids are constantly on the move, and are probably less likely to be cautious about the knocks and bumps they subject their watch to.
It’s important for a kids watch to be durable, and be water resistant, if not waterproof, so playing in the rain or getting the watch wet whilst washing their hands won’t cause damage.
Unlike adults whose wrists are unlikely to dramatically increase in size, kids are constantly growing, so an adjustable strap will avoid needing to purchase a new watch too often.
Here are some other features you could look out for.
Water Resistance
Few watches are truly waterproof, but many have a degree of water resistance.
The water resistance is measured in metres and doesn’t indicate how deep the watch can be immersed in water, but refers to the pressure it was tested under.
A watch which is water resistant to 30m should cope with splashes, but shouldn’t be worn for showering, bathing or swimming.
For those activities, you’ll need a watch that’s water resistant to 50m or more.
Timer
A timer can be a useful function to help kids manage their time.
It could be used to count down the amount of time they need to spend on homework, or how much time they have to play before dinner.
Alarm
An alarm is another way that kids can start to learn how to manage their own schedule.
An alarm can be used to wake up in the morning or even as an alert to take medication during the school day. Many parents also buy their kids vibrating alarm watches, which have become fairly popular both among the adults and kids.
Stopwatch
A stopwatch is a fun way for kids to see how fast they can run, compete against each other in sports or used in games.
Tracker
You’ll usually find trackers on smartwatches and they’re used to track exercise or sports activities.
They can encourage kids to be active and set themselves goals such as walking a certain number of steps in a day.
GPS
GPS is a feature of many smartwatches and is used to track running, walking or cycling routes as well as providing a map right there on your wrist.
Some smartwatches with GPS are even able to send an alert with the location if for example a child was injured whilst out with friends.
Best GPS watches for kids offer a notable number of features, and parents often choose these to buy their kids as a safety measure in the case of an emergency.
Shock Resistant
Given the rough treatment a kids watch might receive, choosing a watch which is shock resistant is a smart idea. A shock resistant watch won’t stutter or falter if the watch is dropped or knocked, like a G shock watch for kids.
Great Battery Life
A watch with a good battery life is especially important if you’re choosing a digital watch as using all of the different functions can run down the battery more quickly.
If you are looking for best smartwatches with long battery life, make sure you give our guide on it a read!
Style & Design
Kids will undoubtedly have their own views on the style of watch they want to wear. Many kids’ watches are very similar in style to adult watches, but in a cut down size.
Sports watches are popular, and are available in a variety of colors.
They’ll often have an LED backlight which gives kids the true feel of an adult watch. Little kids may need something simpler, as sports watches can be too bulky for small wrists.
Whatever style your kid prefers, it’s important that the watch is comfortable which brings us on to the subject of material.
Material
Comfort and durability are really important for kids’ watches, so soft but robust materials such as plastic and silicone tend to be the most popular.
An elastic fabric strap is also a good choice, especially for smaller children, as they’re very simple to put on and take off.
A waterproof watch for children is essential, as they’re unlikely to remember to take a watch off before jumping in a pool, washing their hands, or playing in the rain. Waterproof childrens watches can look very similar to adult models and offer all kinds of features.
Stainless Steel
You’re less likely to find stainless steel used as a strap material for kids watches, but it’s often used for a case back or even as a bezel material.
Quartz
Some more decorative watches feature quartz accents to give the feeling of a ‘grown up’ watch but at a much more kid-friendly price.
Plastic
Plastic is durable and robust so is a really popular choice for kids watches. It can be all colors of the rainbow and is also fine to get wet.
Silicone
Silicone is often used for kids watch straps, as not only is it durable, it’s also very flexible and comfortable to wear.
Pricing Range
Kids can be very tough on watches, so you probably don’t want to invest too much money in a watch which is going to get knocked, scratched or potentially even lost.
The good news is that it’s very possible to find cheap kids digital watches for as little as around $12, and spending not much more will give you a really wide selection of options.
Our Verdict
There’s something to suit all tastes in our round-up, and we were impressed at the number of features that are packed into kids watches.
Our Best Entry level option is the AXSPT Kid LED Multi Function Digital Wristwatch.
It’s a shock resistant, sporty design with plenty to appeal to active kids including a LED backlight with a choice of seven colours, an alarm and stopwatch.
For Best Value, we rated the Cofuo Kids Digital Sports Waterproof Led Watch. It has a fun camouflage design and the functions should be easy for kids to access once they’ve been shown how to use them.
Our Top of the Range choice is the WUTAN Girls Leather Strap Casual Waterproof Wristwatch. It’s a decorative and colorful style with flowers on the purple dial, a purple leather strap and easy to read analog face.