15 Parent-Approved Kids GPS Trackers
When your child leaves the house without you, it’s normal to feel a little anxious. After all, your kids are the most precious things in the world to you. You feel responsible for their safety, whether they are with you or not.
GPS trackers that allow you to see your child's whereabouts in real-time may give you the peace of mind that you yearn for.
As kids grow and gain independence, you will probably start to let them hang out with friends unsupervised or allow them to walk to school in the morning with their siblings. You may want to promote freedom and independence in your older kids, while still being able to find your child in the case of an emergency.
Thankfully, there are many wearable devices and phone apps that allow parents to track their child’s location and use GPS to see where they are at all times.
Related: 15 Parental Control Apps to Track Kids' Phone Use and Screen Time
Should You Track Your Child's Location?
Location tracking can be a controversial topic. The biggest concern is that if your child’s location is marked in some way, someone else could potentially track them as well, either by tapping into your Wi-Fi or hacking your password.
This is one reason why it’s important to look for apps specially designed for families. Check for safety and privacy features such as two-factor password protection or end-to-end encryption.
Kids — especially older kids — may not always feel comfortable wearing a GPS gadget. They may feel that you should trust them, and if they haven’t given you a reason not to, it’s a pretty valid point.
Also, consider your own anxiety levels. Will tracking cause you to worry more and check where your child is constantly? In some cases, GPS tracking can bring you peace of mind, but it can also add to your anxiety levels.
If you do decide to track your child’s location, it’s important to let them know. You risk damaging the relationship if they find out that you have GPS on them and they were not aware.
How to Use GPS Trackers for Kids
Different trackers work in different ways, but in general, your child will wear the tracker or carry it in their backpack. It needs to be turned on Bluetooth should be enabled.
When you want to find out where your child is, you can log into the app on your iPhone or smartphone. A smart tag or AirTag is used to pinpoint their whereabouts. Locations may be updated in real-time or you can refresh the screen to see if your child has moved.
Some apps require a monthly subscription, but others are free to use when you purchase the device.
15 Best GPS Trackers and Wearables for Kids
We rounded up a list of the 15 best GPS trackers on the market. Take a look at our top picks:
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Amber Alert GPS
Price: $135.00
The Amber Alert GPS tracker can be worn on the wrist or attached to clothing. It is ideal for younger aged children who may wander or get lost. It can be a good idea to use this location tracker if you visit a crowded place such as a theme park.
Features:
- Geofencing with notifications when your child leaves designated areas
- History tracking
- Mobile app where you can track and receive alerts
- Panic button
- Real-time tracking
- Two-way calling
You can purchase the Amber Alert GPS here.
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AngelSense
Price: $119.00 wearable device plus a subscription plan ranging from $44.99 to $64.99 per month
The AngelSense GPS tracking device is designed for children with special needs, such as autism or ADHD. The AngelSense monitor is attached to your child’s clothing. You might consider this device if you worry that your child will wander or run off, either at home or at school.
Features:
- Geofencing capabilities with the ability to set up safe zones
- Mobile app where you can track and receive alerts
- Panic button
- Real-time tracking
- Sensory features, such as noise monitoring
Purchase the AngelSense monitor here.
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Bouncie GPS Tracker
Price: $8.00 per month or $77.00 per year.
Bouncie GPS Tracker plugs into a car’s OBD-11 port. It’s a good choice for parents of teenagers who have started driving. This tracker allows you to monitor your child's driving habits or keep track of your vehicle's location.
Features:
- Driving behavior reports
- Geofencing capabilities
- Real-time location tracking
- Vehicle diagnostics
Purchase Bouncie GPS Tracker here.
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GBD Smart GPS Tracker
Price: $44.99
The GBD Smart GPS Tracker can be worn on the wrist or attached to your child’s clothing. It works well for children of all ages and is most useful for elementary-aged kids while they are away from home.
Features:
- Geofencing capabilities
- History tracking
- Real-time tracking
- SOS button for emergencies
- Two-way calling
Purchase the GBD Smart GPS Tracker on Amazon.
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GPS Smart Sole
Price: $29.95 per month
This tracking device is unique because it is worn in the shoe. The device is embedded into the insole. It can be useful for parents of children with developmental disabilities such as autism or ADHD.
This GPS wearable is more comfortable, so it’s great for kids who tend to remove other wearable devices. It can also be useful if you’d like to know where your child is even if they have removed their backpack.
Features:
- Discreet design
- Real-time tracking
- SOS button for emergencies
- Text and email alerts for parents/caregivers
- Waterproof
Purchase the GPS Smart Sole here.
- Jiobit
Price: $129.99
Jiobit is a lightweight tracker that’s great for kids who play outdoors frequently. It is waterproof and quite durable.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Geofencing capabilities
- Real-time tracking
- Long battery life
- Waterproof and durable
Purchase the Jiobit here.
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MOTOsafety GPS Tracker
Price: $69.99
MOTOsafety GPS Tracker is a great choice for parents of newly-driving teens. The app helps you monitor your child’s location and driving behaviors. It tracks things like vehicle speed, location, and driving patterns and allows you to monitor your child's driving in real time.
Features:
- Geofencing capabilities
- Driver scoring and coaching
- Hard braking and acceleration alerts
- Real-time tracking
- Speed alerts and speeding history
- Tamper alerts
- Vehicle maintenance reminders
Purchase the MOTOsafety GPS Tracker here.
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My Buddy Tag
Price: $59.00
My Buddy Tag is especially intended for new swimmers or children just learning to swim. It is worn around the wrist and it alerts parents if their children leave a specific area or fall into the water. Just remember, for your child’s safety, you should always actively watch them in the water. My Buddy Tag just adds an extra layer of protection. It is not intended to replace an adult’s watchful eye.
Features:
- Adjustable range for safe zones
- Alert sent to parent's smartphone when a child is out of range or in water
- Comfortable to wear
- Panic button for emergencies
- Water safety alarm when submerged in water
Purchase My Buddy Tag on Amazon.
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PocketFinder
Price: $159.00
This device can go into the pocket of your child’s jacket or backpack. It also comes with a clip and lanyard for wearability.
Features:
- Geofencing capabilities
- Location history
- Real-time tracking
- SOS button for emergencies
- Tamper alerts
- Two-way communication through the app
- Waterproof
Purchase PocketFinder here.
10. TickTalk
Price: $199.00
If your child is too young for a cell phone but you want to have a way to stay in touch with them, the TickTalk 4G/LTE smartwatch may be the right device for your family. This kids’ smartwatch includes features such as messaging, location tracking, and more.
Calling and messaging are limited to a select list of loved ones that you choose. It even has a step counter, just like the Apple Watch. This watch is ideal for children aged 5 to 12 years old.
Features:
- 4G/LTE cellular connectivity
- Calling and messaging capabilities
- Camera and video recorder
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
- GPS location tracking
- Step counter and fitness tracker
- Two-way calling with family members
- Voice and text messaging
Purchase TickTalk here or on Amazon.
11. Tilemate
Price: $24.99 and up
Tilemate is a compact GPS tracker that you can attach to various items or pieces of clothing, such as a jacket, backpack, keychain, or purse. It is small enough to be used to track commonly misplaced objects like keys or a phone.
It may not be best for young children as it has a loud alarm (mainly used to find lost objects) that could frighten them.
Features:
- Easily attaches to items using a keyring or adhesive backing
- Loud alarm to help locate misplaced items
- Mobile app with a map view to help locate lost items
- Water-resistant
Purchase Tilemate here.
12. Tinitell
Price: $129.00
Tinitell is a wearable phone and GPS tracker. It is best for children between 5 and 12 years old. These kids are too young for a smartphone that allows them to contact just anyone and to access the internet, but they are old enough to play outside alone or walk to school. Tinitell allows you and your child to contact one another and you can see where they are.
Features:
- Easy one-button calling and voice messaging
- Geofencing capabilities
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Water-resistant and durable design
Purchase Tinitell here.
13. Trax Play
Price: $99.00
If you have little kids who tend to wander, Trax Play is a good option to keep them safe. It’s also great if you want to make sure your school-aged child is safely in school or with their class on a field trip. This app is perfect for preschool age through elementary school.
Trax Play offers an augmented reality feature that allows you to locate your child quickly.
Features:
- Geo-fencing and safe zone alerts
- Messaging capability
- Real-time tracking with location updates every 10 seconds
- Two-way calling
- Water-resistant
Purchase Trax Play here.
14. Spytec GL300 GPS Tracker
Price: $39.95
Spytec GL300 is not marketed specifically for children but it can be a useful way to track their whereabouts. It attaches to clothing or a backpack with a clip or a magnetic mount.
Features:
- Geofencing capabilities
- Historical location data logging
- Real-time location tracking
Purchase the Spytech GL300 here.
15. Verizon GizmoWatch
Price: $2.77 per month
This smartwatch is perfect for preschoolers through tweens. It allows calling and messaging with selected family members, so it’s a good choice if you want to contact your child but you don’t want them to have free reign of their own smartphone.
This GPS watch will alert you if your child goes out of designated safe areas, so it’s great to use if your kid is allowed to play unsupervised.
Features:
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Geofencing with customizable safe zones
- Long-lasting battery life
- Two-way calling and messaging to approved contacts
- Step tracker to encourage physical activity
- Voice and text messaging with emojis and pre-written texts
- Water-resistant
Purchase the Verizon Gizmo Watch here.
For even more information on how to use technology to keep your kids safe, check out our guide to How to Childproof Your Smartphone.
