Get Ready: Simple, Safe, and Kid-Friendly

In six clear steps you will power up the watch, set the date and time, enable SAFE settings, pair with a phone if needed, and personalize it so your child loves wearing it—no tech degree required, just practical, parent-friendly guidance.

What You’ll Need

Kids’ digital watch
Charger or fresh battery
Quick-start guide
Smartphone with watch app (optional)
A few minutes of patience with your kid nearby
Editor's Choice
Cosmo JrTrack 5 Kids Cellular GPS Watch
Real-time GPS and parent-approved calling
A kids’ phone and GPS watch that provides precise real-time location tracking, secure calling/texting with parent-approved contacts, and SOS alerts. Built-in parental controls, school/focus modes, and optional kid-friendly apps keep kids safe and parents connected.

Set the Time & Date on a Kids’ 2-Button Digital Watch: Quick Guide


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Step 1: Unbox and Power On the Watch

First impressions matter — will it boot on the first try?

Open the box and confirm the contents: the watch, charger, and user manual.
Check the manual for model-specific parts like extra straps or a SIM slot.

Charge the watch fully or insert a fresh battery as the manual instructs. For example, plug the charger into a wall adapter and charge for the recommended time (often 1–3 hours) or install a new CR2032 battery if your model uses one.

Locate the power button (usually on the side or the back) and hold it until the screen lights up.

If the watch doesn’t power on, check the charge contacts for debris, try a different outlet or USB cable, and consult the troubleshooting section in the manual.

Best Value
Phyulls Multi-Game Kids Smart Watch with Camera
39 games and selfie camera
A feature-packed kids smartwatch with a selfie camera, video recorder, MP3 player, 39 built-in games, and common tools like alarm, calculator, and pedometer. No SIM or app required, easy for young children to use with long battery life.

2

Step 2: Set the Date and Time

Skip this and the watch will live in timezone limbo — not ideal.

Navigate to the Time or Settings menu using the watch buttons or touchscreen. Choose the clock format first: 12-hour (shows “3:05 PM”) or 24-hour (shows “15:05”).

Set the hours, minutes, and date. Use the AM/PM toggle if you picked 12-hour format. Set the timezone correctly — this matters if you travel.

Enable automatic network time only if the watch supports cellular or paired-phone syncing; otherwise set Daylight Saving Time (DST) manually.

Automatic time: turn on only with a SIM or phone connection.
Manual DST: adjust forward/back one hour when needed.

Confirm the display shows the correct time and date. Test by changing the minutes briefly, then revert to ensure the watch saves settings.

Durable
A ALPS Waterproof Shockproof Kids Digital Watch
Durable 50M waterproof daily-use design
A rugged digital watch for kids offering 50M water resistance, shockproof construction, LED backlight, alarm, stopwatch, and adjustable comfortable strap. Simple to use and built to withstand active play and daily wear.

3

Step 3: Configure Alarms, Timers and Ring Volume

Want punctual kids? Tiny alarms are surprisingly life-changing.

Go to the Alarm/Timer settings on the watch or companion app. Add alarms for daily routines and set repeats for weekdays.

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Create alarms for common events:

School: 8:15 AM (Mon–Fri)
Homework: 4:00 PM (Mon–Fri)
Bedtime: 8:30 PM (Every night)

Adjust the ring volume and vibration so alerts are noticeable but not disruptive. Label each alarm if the watch supports text labels (e.g., “Math” or “Lights Out”) to help your child learn.

Test each alarm by setting one a minute ahead. Move the watch slightly on the wrist or change the tone if you can’t hear it. Finally, set a quick timer (e.g., 15 minutes) for routine tasks like brushing teeth or screen breaks.

Top Connectivity
4G Kids Smartwatch with Video Calling GPS
Two-way calls, GPS and SOS alerts
A 4G kids smartwatch that supports two-way voice and video calls, GPS/LBS/Wi‑Fi tracking, SOS emergency calling, geo-fence safety zones, and school mode to reduce distractions. Ideal for parents wanting reliable communication and location features.

4

Step 4: Pair the Watch with a Phone or App

Smart features unlock safety and sanity — yes, including GPS!

Install the official companion app on your smartphone. Create an account and sign in. Grant the required permissions to let the app communicate with the watch.

Enable Bluetooth on both devices and open the app’s pairing screen. Scan the watch’s QR code (often on a quick-start card) or enter the device code shown on the watch (e.g., a 4–6 digit number). Follow any on-screen prompts to finish pairing.

Give the app these permissions:

Bluetooth
Location
Notifications

Test the connection by calling the watch from your phone and sending a test notification. If the watch supports it, check live location reporting in the app map. If pairing fails, restart both devices and retry or consult the app’s FAQs.

Premium Pick
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with Video Calls
HD video calls and AI-enhanced GPS
A standalone 4G LTE kids smartwatch offering HD voice and video calls, secure messaging, AI-powered SmartPin location correction, and robust parental controls. It also includes kid-friendly streaming music and long battery life for everyday use.

5

Step 5: Enable Parental Controls and Safety Settings

Because freedom is great — when it’s safely fenced.

Enter SOS/emergency contact numbers into the watch/app — add two trusted adults (e.g., Mom +1-555-0123, Dad +1-555-0456). Test the SOS once with your child present: trigger it and confirm calls/messages arrive.

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Allow only approved contacts and block unknown callers to stop unwanted calls. Create geofences (for example, Home and School) and enable arrival/departure alerts to get notified when your child enters or leaves those zones.

Set screen time limits and restrict in-app purchases to avoid overuse and accidental charges. Enable automatic firmware updates and scheduled backups if supported to keep the watch secure and restore settings quickly after a reset.

Best for Parental Controls
TickTalk 5 4G Kids Smartwatch with GPS
Powerful parental controls and precise tracking
A feature-rich 4G smartwatch designed for kids with HD video/voice calls, encrypted messaging, advanced GPS tracking with SmartPin, and extensive parental controls like school mode and contact management. Durable and water-resistant for active children.

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Step 6: Personalize the Watch and Teach Your Kid to Use It

Make it fun — a watch they’ll actually want to wear, not hide in a drawer.

Choose a kid-friendly watch face, set a fun wallpaper (for example, a cartoon monkey or superhero), and pick a comfortable silicone strap that fits snugly.

Show your child how to read the display, check alarms, answer calls, and trigger the SOS button; point to each icon and practice tapping or pressing the right controls.

Practice a mock emergency once so they learn to stay calm and follow the SOS steps with you observing.

Keep care basics: Keep the watch dry if not waterproof, charge nightly, wipe it clean, and avoid rough play.
Build routines: Put the watch on after brushing teeth, check alarms together, and praise your child when they remember.

Reinforce routines with praise so wearing the watch becomes a habit.

Safe Choice
Kids LBS GPS Smart Watch with SOS Camera
IP67 waterproof, SOS and safe-zone alerts
A kids’ smartwatch offering LBS/GPS location tracking, SOS emergency calling, camera, class/do-not-disturb mode, and geo-fence safe areas to notify parents if a child leaves a designated zone. Water-resistant design and simple controls suit younger users.

All Set — Safe, Timely, and Kid-Approved

You’ve powered, configured, secured, and personalized the watch; a quick test with your child confirms everything works, so enjoy peace of mind and their tiny steps toward independence. Try it now and share your results to help other parents today.

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