Best Watches For Kids: Fun And Practical Picks For All Ages

While I’m sure the internet primarily knows me as a watch writer/teeny tiny watch enthusiast, a lesser-known fact about me is that I used to teach English abroad in the first couple of years after I graduated from college. I might not have kids myself, but I do think this experience makes me uniquely qualified to scour the internet for the best kids' watches available today, and synthesize them into an easily digestible guide for those who want to share their love of watches with a young one in their life. From back in my classroom days, I know that durability and practicality are essential ingredients to a great watch for kids. I’ll also be going for a broad stylistic range, from the fun and playful to the more sophisticated, to account for both elementary school-age kids and those entering their tween years. Additionally, it does not strike me as wise to invest major cash into a child’s first watch, unless you are getting one early to then gift it to them at a more appropriate age, so I’ve also gone for the affordability factor as well. 

[toc-section heading="Timex Time Machines"]

In my opinion, Timex currently has one of the most impressive ranges of kids' watches, making pieces geared towards pre-schoolers all the way to tweens and teens. Dubbed the Time Machines collection by the brand, a huge drawis that all the brand’s kids’ watches come with a replacement program in case your little one happens to break or lose their new watch. Additionally, the highest price point in the current collection is $43, with many of my favorites retailing for $35, which feels very appropriate for a kid’s first watch. 

Some standouts in the Timex Time Machines collection are the models (like this one) made for soon-to-be watch wearers that are still learning how to tell time on a clock. The respective hands are labeled  “hour” and “minute,” the numerals are nice and large, and the minutes are broken up and detailed in increments of five to help make learning to tell the time on an analog watch a lot simpler and more fun. These digital 27mm models are made with small wrists in mind, and I would imagine that they’d be particularly suited to kids approaching middle school age. For something with a little more water resistance than standard splash-proofing, I’d go with this 35mm digital option, which can handle light swimming.

[toc-section heading="G-SHOCK BABY-G BGD-10 Series"]

Case: 39mm Material: Resin Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Quartz Price: $89

The BABY-G collection is made with young girls in mind, so there are multiple options that I think are perfect as a first watch or an addition to a young enthusiast’s collection. My current favorite models the brand makes are in the BDG-10 Series, which mixes the classic BABY-G charm with the ability to turn the watch into an actual charm. This is something I would have definitely begged my parents for if it had been around when I was a tween.

In addition to signature G-SHOCK toughness, shock resistance, and 100 meters of water resistance, the band of these watches easily pops off, and you can put the watch itself on a color-coordinating holder that can be attached to bags or other accessories. In addition to being just plain adorable, each piece is packed with alarm, stopwatch, world time, and auto calendar functionality, with an added bonus of some cute pixel graphic animations. For $89, these watches are the ultimate blend of practical and playful.

[toc-section heading="Flik Flak"]

A pioneer in the kids’ watch space, this Swiss brand has been helping kids tell time since 1987. Predominantly made for watch wearers between three and ten years old, the Flik Flak catalog is full of color, prints, and details meant to directly appeal to kids, along with keen consideration to how kids interact and get comfortable with telling the time on a watch of their own. Education is foundational to the Flik Flak ethos, and teachers and educators have historically been heavily involved in the development of the watches, which is a large part of the brand’s enduring success. The Flik & Flak characters on the hour and minute hands on many of the watches for the youngest wearers have become iconic, helping teach kids how to tell time through story, along with other design elements that are simple and just plain fun. Additionally, every Flik Flak watch comes with a paper game to help kids and parents practice their new time-telling skills. 

For the slightly older kids, I really like watches like this one that feature a bezel that reminds me of vintage TAG Heuer Formula 1 pieces. In this case, that notched bezel isn’t for diving, but is fixed for helping kids keep track of the minutes. The brand also offers plenty of opportunities for personalization, gift sets with coloring books and boxes that match the watch, and prices typically range from $43-$60.

[toc-section heading="Santurce Kids' Models"]

Case: 30-32mm Material: Plastic Water Resistance: Splash proof Movement: Quartz Price: $60

Based in the artistic heart of San Juan, independent Puerto Rican watch brand Santurce has several models made with kids in mind. Currently, the brand has two specific collections in its kids watch lineup. The Crayola model features a colorful illustration of crayons at the dial's center, but my personal favorites are the El Piecito (or “Little Foot”) models that have a drawing of the founders' own Corgi dog just under the hands. Whichever dial you choose, the watches themselves are in compact 30-32mm sizing, perfect for young watch enthusiasts in the making, and powered by no-fuss quartz. Made to help kids learn to tell time, each watch comes with Santurce crayons and a coloring book with time-telling exercises. Additionally, part of the sales proceeds for the Crayola models are donated to nonprofit organizations supporting people with autism, so these watches are playful and functional while giving back. 

[toc-section heading="Mini Kyomo"]

Case: 31mm Material: Recycled plastic Water Resistance: Splash proof Movement: Quartz Price: $87

Making stylish, vintage-inspired watches for kids as young as four years old is Mini Kyomo’s bread-and-butter. Designed in France, produced in Italy, and utilizing Japanese quartz movements, aesthetically, I find Mini Kyomo watches to be some of the most sophisticated in the kids’ watch genre.

The designs are thoughtful, sophisticated, yet are available in a range of colors and with easy-to-read dials made with kids in mind. The standardized format of this brand’s catalog so far has been to pair a retro analog style dial with a geometric square-like case, typically made out of recycled, soft-touch plastics. The NATO straps these watches are paired with are made to be soft and comfortable on smaller wrists, have a steel buckle for added security, and are machine washable. Made for children without leaning into childish designs, prices are typically $87, though I will warn you that you will have to face international shipping fees if you’re based in the U.S. Honestly, these watches look so good I’m considering adding one to my own collection as a Spring/Summer daily option. 

[toc-section heading="Nixon Ripper"]

Case: 36.5mm Material: Recycled plastic Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Quartz Price: $100

In creating this guide, I’ve honestly been surprised by the limited water resistance across the majority of kids' watches on the market today. Here, we have an option (that isn’t a G-SHOCK) that packs in 100 meters of water resistance, with a case size small enough for younger watch wearers. Measuring 36.5mm, the Nixon Ripper is a no-fuss digital watch, packed with alarms, stopwatches, and calendar functionality with an easy-to-read digital display. The brand currently offers the Ripper in both black and silver-hued colorways, along with a variety of straps ranging from the minimal to the playful. This is my pick for a summer camp watch. 

[toc-section heading="KidyWolf K-Wolf Smart Watch"]

Case: 40mm Material: Plastic; OLED Display Water Resistance: Splash proof Price: $61

Though I’m not on any parenting sub-Reddits or messaging boards, I can imagine that the subject of Smart Watches for kids is a tricky one. Why I’m choosing to include this one in this roundup is that it's been designed to be a source of enhancement for a kid’s life, not as yet another digital distraction. You don’t even need a smartphone to use it (though there is the option to connect one), and this watch is packed with features that are meant to keep kids active and organized. There’s a built-in flashlight, activity modes geared for different sports, alarms, timers, stopwatches, a breathing and mindfulness program to help kids de-stress, and the option to display an emergency contact. For added safety measures, the K-WOLF does not feature internet connectivity or GPS. Made to be a tool that grows with its wearer, these watches notably forgo games of any kind, focusing instead on organizational skills and outdoor activities.

[toc-section heading="Shark Freestyle Mini"]

Case: 30mm (width) Material: Plastic/resin Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Quartz Price: $70

I’ve made my love for the Shark Freestyle abundantly clear by now, and I am happy to report that the brand also makes a minified version for smaller wrist sizes. It’s playful, made with surfing and general outdoor activities in mind, and the velcro straps are easy to use and look great. My own standard-sized Shark Freestyle has lasted through many trips to the beach and the odd camping trip for years now, and it's held up beautifully.

[toc-section heading="G-SHOCK BABY-G BGA-10 Series"]

Case: 46.6 × 42.1 × 11.4 mm Material: Resin Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Quartz Price: $99

Again, I really think that just about anything in the BABY-G lineup would work for tweens or teens – it’s been a classic since the mid 1990s. The BGA-10 series is a relatively new addition to the lineup, and what I love about it, particularly for younger girls, is the color-changing heart motif at the center of the dial. 

Throughout the day, the colors of the heart at the dial’s center change via a rotating disk. Additionally, the bezel can be removed, and its wearer can manually switch up the colors with a turn of the crown (which also sets the time, obviously). The bubbly, oversized numerals make for easy reading, and of course, we have the G-SHOCK resilience and 100 meters of water resistance. Basically, this watch is where playful gets tactical. The case is on the larger side, so I would recommend this for older children.

[toc-section heading="Peanuts x Timex Expedition Beagle Scout"]

Case: 38mm Material: Resin Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Quartz Price: $89

Though this watch isn’t technically positioned in the Timex catalog as a “kids’ watch” (so the warranty doesn’t apply in this case), I think the personality, functionality, and size make this watch suitable for younger watch wearers. Measuring 38mm, the standout of this watch is, obviously, the super cute illustrations of Snoopy and Woodstock in Beagle Scout mode in the lower half of the dial, gearing up for their next adventure. But the camping motif isn’t just a fun aesthetic choice; this watch is ready to brave the great outdoors with its 100-meter water resistance, INDIGLO backlight that activates with the push of a button, and sporty fabric strap.

[toc-section heading="Nixon Time Teller"]

Case: 26mm - 37mm  Material: Steel Water Resistance: 100 meters Movement: Japanese Quartz (Miyota) Price: $125-$150

I’m going to finish this roundup with a watch that’s a little more serious, but I think makes a great option for an older kid’s “first real-deal” watch. There are plenty of sizing options within the Time Teller collection, but I think the Small 26mm size and Medium 31mm would work particularly well for younger watch wearers. Very importantly, all the watches in the collection are water resistant 100 meters.  I get it, it’s super minimal, and a little bit dressy, but I’m imagining this watch as more of a “Middle School Graduation Gift” watch or “first serious watch,” rather than the watch you learn to tell time on.