GPS trackers for kids to offer you peace of mind

However attentive you may be, many of us have experienced that horrible moment when you lose sight of your child for a split second and your heart jumps out of your chest. All any parent wants to do is keep their little one safe (whether that be through baby-proofing kits or stairgates) and one way of doing this is by investing in a GPS trackers, especially for children.

A GPS tracking device offers extra peace of mind when with your child in a busy place such as a shopping centre or festival, should you lose each other. Plus, it offers real-time tracking, meaning that you can pinpoint the exact position of your child at that very minute, using a map on your smartphone or tablet so you can quickly get to them.

The best kids' GPS trackers at a glance:

•Best GPS trackers for kids: Weenect Kids - View offer on Amazon
•Best small GPS tracker: AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker - View offer on Amazon
•Best child GPS tracker watch NICKWATCH: Nickelodeon-themed Kids' Smart Watch - view offer on Currys

To make picking the right GPS tracker for your child easier, we've rounded up our favourite GPS trackers on the market. In our roundup, we've also included children's smartwatches which have GPS features, as well as other settings.

The best GPS trackers for kids 2023

Can I put a GPS tracker on my child?

There's no law that states you can't use a GPS tracker on your child. If you are the legal guardian or parent, you are legally allowed to track your children if they are under the age of 18. They can be used to effectively locate a child in a serious or potentially life-threatening situation.

However, it is a morally grey area, as some people consider it to be an invasion of their privacy, especially when they get to the teenage stage and start going out with friends and spending more time away from their home and parents. Many parents respect their child's boundaries and use GPS tracking purely in emergency situations only, such as when their child goes missing or doesn't return home on time.

We recommend having an open conversation with your child to let them know that you intend on using a tracker on them and the reasons why. Make sure that it is age appropriate or use terminology based on their level of understanding.

What is the best GPS tracker for my child?

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a GPS tracker for children; it's not a one-size fits all decision. The two main types of tracker are apps and physical trackers. Physical tracking devices must be attached to your child in someway, whether that be on their clothing or in items they own (such as shoes, rucksacks, schoolbags or toys for example). Other devices include kids' smartwatches which have access to GPS tracking and emergency calling or messaging. Tracking apps on the other hand can be accessed using a mobile phone, tablet or adult smartwatch.

There are pros and cons to each style of GPS tracking, so we have broken it up into categories, hopefully making your decision easier for you.

GPS tracker device

Operation: GPS trackers give out precise locations as they operate using global positioning of satellites (hence where the acronym comes from). Plus, you don't need to have active data to access these loactions.

Age suitability: A physical GPS tracker can be used on most children no matter their age (although some are very small and could pose as a choking hazard for babies and toddlers). Some smart devices have certain features or access to internet browsing which cannot be turned off and therefore could be dangerous.

Battery life: Generally speaking, GPS trackers have long battery lives of at least a few days and some companies even offer users the chance to purchase add-on batteries to extend this further.

Subscriptions: To access premium features like two-way calls or unlimited messaging, you may need to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee.

GPS tracking app

Operation: Reliant on mobile phone signal and Wi-Fi, you may get slightly inaccurate readings as signals tend to go weak quite often. Make sure you have a strong internet data service if you want to use tracking apps.

Age suitability: More suited to parents of children that have a smartphone or device that connects to the Internet. However, there are several kids' watches and trackers which have limited browsing access which can be used through 4G and you can link them up to certain parenting apps.

Battery life: Most mobile phones will need charging at least once a day and they are not specifically designed to purely keep GPS running for long periods of time, so using an app for extended periods is likely to drain the battery.

Subscriptions: Some apps want you to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to utilise additional features.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby and Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.