Battery life: Up to 1 year
Warranty: Two-year warranty
Subscription service needed: No
There are arguments for and against introducing kids to fitness trackers. Choosing one not suited to children’s needs could well do more harm than good. There’s certainly no need for little ones to be monitoring calories or obsessing over exercise and body image. However, many parents would attest to the fact that a little incentive to get kids playing outdoors rather than on a console, and even doing chores, probably wouldn’t go amiss. Enter the Garmin Vivofit Jt 2 – a very affordable, child-friendly, interactive watch that gives virtual rewards for meeting activity goals, competing in step challenges with parents and completing active chores like picking up toys or walking the dog. You can also set custom alarms to monitor screen time, tooth brushing and homework.
Although this tracker does undoubtedly encourage activity, it does so more in a developing a sense of responsibility and playful way, than one than obviously focuses on health and fitness. For example, the in-app Adventure Trail setting allows kids to unlock badges, coins, game moves or levels when they hit daily targets, whether that’s completing a list of chores or running around outside for an hour.
Kids will love the look of this watch, as Garmin has teamed up with lots of famous film franchises including Star Wars and Marvel, to not only have straps covered in their favourite characters, but games to match. The watch face itself can be removed and put into different straps, which then changes all the games and rewards. A smart way to keep children engaged.
There are no dedicated metrics for sports like in adult fitness trackers, this watch is kept simple largely monitoring steps, sleep, cycling and swimming (yes, it’s waterproof). Parents monitor all activity, manage and assign rewards and chores and choose to participate in challenges too, via the Garmin Connect app.
Pros: Designed to focus on fun rather than fitness, all activity monitored by parents.
Cons: Very small screen, and can only sync with Garmin companion apps and devices, so if parents want to join challenges, they’ll need to be Garmin wearers too.
Source link
