Best kids GPS trackers

We love that the Spacetalk Adventurer 2 isn’t just a smartwatch for parents; it includes features that kids enjoy too. Your child can choose how to communicate, whether it’s through HD-quality video calls, voice calls, text messages or taking photos through the 5MP camera. The band is slim, light, and flexible, meaning it's comfortable to wear, too.

Another thing we're a big fan of is the parent-controlled contact list. Your child won't be able to add any new contacts themselves - only those with the parental app can do so.

Other features include a fitness tracker, School Mode, reminders and alerts, Safe Zones (geofencing), GPS location tracking (both real-time and historical), and SOS alerts that your kid can use in an emergency. Plus, it's IP67 water-resistant with a tough Gorilla Glass screen, meaning it'll survive after working in the rain or after an drop in the bathtub.

On the downside, it is one of the more expensive options on our list, and some features do require a monthly subscription fee (from $5.99), plus the battery life leaves a bit to be desired.

The BlueAssist LocateMe GPS tracker isn't super feature-packed, and it's not the kind of gift your kid is likely going to be excited to show off at school, but its safety features and lack of ongoing monthly mobile plan fees make it one of our favourites.

Through the accompanying app, you can track and monitor your child's whereabouts and set up geofence alerts for when they've strayed a little too far.

Your little one needs only to press the SOS button to start a two-way call with you, and it can be attached easily to a lanyard, keychain or school backpack.

The only drawback is the high initial cost and lack of SMS capability.

If you like the features of the Spacetalk Adventurer but not necessarily the price tag, the Pixbee Kids 4G Smart Watch is a solid alternative when you're on a budget.

It's capable of voice calls and video calls and allows your child to send photos and emojis to a list of parent-approved contacts. Speaking of parents, you can also keep track of your little one's activity thanks to the inbuilt GPS tracker and pedometer.

Other features include Classroom Mode, which allows your child to focus during school hours, SOS alerts, and IP67 water resistance to protect from the occasional splash or spot of rain.

The only major drawback of this tracker is that it only shows the wearer's real-time location, so there's no way to go back and see where your child has been. Pixbee also hasn't disclosed battery life, but judging by user reviews, it's only average.

Apple AirTags aren't designed as a tracking device for kids (for obvious reasons), but for parents on a budget, they can make a good emergency option. If you've got an iPhone 11 or above, an AirTag can give you its precise location (within less than a metre), as opposed to GPS which is accurate to a radius of about five metres.

As long as you're aware of its limitations (like the fact that it can't make or receive calls, has no SOS button or geofencing and can't track fast motion) and as long as you've asked your child's consent to attach one to their clothes or backpack, the AirTag can be a good temporary solution while you save up for a more robust kids GPS tracker.