Looking for a small GPS watch for my child... Any suggestions?

I’ve been searching for a tracking device for weeks now, and I feel overwhelmed!

I need something really simple. All I want is GPS; Bluetooth hasn’t worked for me. I’ve tried a ‘Smart Tag’, but it doesn’t have the accuracy I need.

My son is 5, non-verbal, and autistic. He’s going on school trips and spending time with family, which worries me. Sometimes I turn around and he’s just gone, and since he can’t talk, I need a reliable solution.

A device that works would ease my mind.

Here are some requirements:

  • It has to be small. Most kids’ watches are huge and he won’t wear those.
  • It needs to be simple. No games or anything fancy; just GPS tracking. I’m okay with buying a smartwatch like a Samsung if it fits my needs, but it doesn’t even have to have a screen.

Features I’d love:

  • A ringing function so I can locate him if he’s out of sight.
  • A way for family members to share access.
  • A SIM card with 4G GPS to track him accurately.
  • I’d prefer something around £100—no way am I buying an expensive smartwatch for a 5-year-old. He’s careful, but I still want it to be durable.

Once again, no Bluetooth; I need GPS.

Thanks for your patience. I really hope I’m not coming off as too demanding, but it’s surprising that no company has made something like this yet. There’s a real gap in the market!

Does he really need to know the time? If not, maybe a small pet GPS tracker would be a better fit. They’re designed to be comfy and often have a ringing feature when you’re nearby.

Brooke said:
Does he really need to know the time? If not, maybe a small pet GPS tracker would be a better fit. They’re designed to be comfy and often have a ringing feature when you’re nearby.

No, he doesn’t need to see the time. That’s a great idea, thanks! Do you have any specific brands in mind?

@Kingsley
Sorry, I don’t have any recommendations, but I totally understand the struggle! You could also check out some wristbands made for dementia patients; I’m still searching for one that my elderly dad would accept.

@Brooke
It’s really tough out there, and I can’t figure out why, haha.

Kingsley said:
@Brooke
It’s really tough out there, and I can’t figure out why, haha.

Maybe you should think about something that clips to his pants? If he has sensory issues, he might not want something on his wrist… Otherwise, cat trackers are tiny and might work.

@Brooke
He actually does fine with wrist things. I tried the Galaxy smart tag, but it didn’t work well at all. Looking around now! Thanks for the help :slight_smile:

Have you considered the Cosmo Jr4? There were big issues with the 3, but the owner says those are fixed now. Check this forum; he posted an offer to answer any questions about the 4. Just make sure the problems with the 3 are resolved, and it’s small enough.

But I really like the pet GPS tracker idea; it might be the best choice since it can’t communicate.