This device has a nauseating name but looks like it would do the trick without costing you $500 and requiring you to also get your kid an iPhone to have any functionality.

https://www.verizonwireless.com/connected-devices/lg-gizmopal-2/

My 12 and 9 year old sons said they wanted the apple watch for Christmas. Nope, not happening. We have an extra cell phone we use as a home phone and the 12 year old uses it when he is out just in case he needs to call us.

A month ago I would have flamed you. Then I bought myself an Apple watch. It's incredible and I love it. It really helps keep me organized. You do have to have an iPhone except for the new version, which requires a $10 monthly cell phone fee. There are several good smart watches for kids that aren't apple and aren't dependent on cell service.

No, the new apple watch has it's own number and can text and receive calls without being tethered to a phone.

Anonymous wrote:If you think a 10 year old should be wearing a $600 accessory go for it

It’s 200$ not 600$ But it’s Still expensive just get a Series 1 then a Series 2 or 3 those are 341$ or 400$ Cuz Series 1 is only 200$

Anonymous wrote:http://tinitell.com/

something like this?

Thanks you for this link!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't let some of these (petty, cheap, jealous?) posters get you down!

I've been wondering the same thing about the Apple Watch for my active 13 year old. A phone is too much to run and bike around with, but being able to text him on a wrist watch, have the GPS function, and alarm setting for ADHD DS would be awesome.

Are you stupid?

For the Apple Watch to work it needs to be near the paired iPhone.

Your son would still need to have his iPhone in his pocket to be able to use any of those functions. If you think a phone is too much to run and bike around with, then how is a watch and a phone any better? If he forgets the iPhone, he can't use the watch to text, gps, etc. It will tell time and set alarms though...

No, but thanks for asking. You will note that I indicated I had been wondering the same thing...until this thread, and its HELPFUL posters, I had no idea that it needed to be paired with a phone.

Anonymous wrote:I would mug a 10 year old wearing an Apple Watch.

YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA

Anonymous wrote:We're looking at Verizon gizmo gadget. Much cheaper and works all distances.

Just got this for our 11 yr old and highly recommend it. Only $5/mo for phone, has GPS, and limited texting. Limited number of contacts. Not very expensive

I would mug a 10 year old wearing an Apple Watch.

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't let some of these (petty, cheap, jealous?) posters get you down!

I've been wondering the same thing about the Apple Watch for my active 13 year old. A phone is too much to run and bike around with, but being able to text him on a wrist watch, have the GPS function, and alarm setting for ADHD DS would be awesome.

Are you stupid?

For the Apple Watch to work it needs to be near the paired iPhone.

Your son would still need to have his iPhone in his pocket to be able to use any of those functions. If you think a phone is too much to run and bike around with, then how is a watch and a phone any better? If he forgets the iPhone, he can't use the watch to text, gps, etc. It will tell time and set alarms though...

We're looking at Verizon gizmo gadget. Much cheaper and works all distances.

Hahahah. My 10 year old son is awesome and I love him to death but he still forgets everything. No way in hell does henneedneithernof thosenthings- he doesn't have a phone.

http://tinitell.com/

something like this?

OP, I was at the playground this weekend and another mom was telling me about the GPS watch he son uses. It is not an apple watch and does not need a cellphone nearby to work, but it has GPS, texting, and the mom can call it (I assume the son can initiate calls but didn't ask). The mom says if she calls and he doesn't answer it, the watch answers itself and she can hear what is going on. The kid is 8 and she uses it to give him freedom to roam in their neighborhood.

I live in the suburbs in the south, so if something like this is available here I''m sure you can find something similar. I assume it is hooked up to their cell phone plan? Or a cell phone plan? Why don't you start by seeing what your carrier offers and go from there?