What Is a GPS Tracker for Kids?
A GPS tracker for kids is a small device that lets you monitor your child’s location on your smartphone. It usually relies on a cellular network to send location data, so you don’t need a Wi-Fi connection. You’ll know your child’s whereabouts during school commutes, family outings, and other activities.
In addition to tracking the current location, a real-time GPS tracker for kids saves the location history. Parents can also set boundaries to receive alerts when the child leaves a designated geographical area.
LandAirSea offers two tracking options for families: the LAS 54 for real-time tracking of vehicles and backpacks, and the PB714 Bluetooth tracker for everyday belongings like jackets and lunchboxes.
A GPS tracker for children can be helpful as your child starts traveling independently. But before shopping, consider your needs. Some options are perfect for kids who take the bus or walk to school, while others are better for teen drivers. Ahead, we’ll cover practical uses of GPS trackers and the best types for various situations.
How Families Use GPS Trackers for Kids
A small GPS tracker for kids sends location data. However, families have different needs and use trackers for various purposes. For example, one family might need to locate a child while shopping, and another wants to track a vehicle. Here are the most common ways families use GPS trackers:
- Backpack tracker: A GPS tracker for kids’ backpacks is a practical option for elementary school children. Parents usually slip the device into the backpack’s front pocket and zip it up, and your child doesn’t have to do anything. The LAS 54 sends real-time location updates as often as every 3 seconds.
- Family vehicle tracker: To track a vehicle, simply stick a magnetic GPS tracker to a metal surface, such as the crash bar or frame behind a plastic bumper. You can then monitor the vehicle's location when a babysitter or older child is driving your car. For car tracking, the LAS 54 is both magnetic and waterproof.
- Teen driver monitoring: When your teenager starts driving, a hidden GPS tracker for kids can help with your understandable safety concerns. The device stays with the car, so the teenager doesn’t have to remember it every time they leave the house. It gives you much-needed visibility, including routes and location history.
- Crowded events and outings: It's easy to lose track of your child at amusement parks, sporting events, and festivals with huge crowds. Parents can clip a real-time GPS tracker for kids inside a jacket or bag to know where they are at all times.
- Belongings (Bluetooth): Kids and parents alike can misplace common items like backpacks and lunchboxes. A Bluetooth tracker is a solution that doesn’t rely on cellular networks, though it’s short-range. For Bluetooth Find My tracking with no monthly subscription, the LandAirSea PB714 fits the bill.
How GPS Trackers for Kids Work
A real-time GPS tracker for kids relies on two core technologies. First, it determines location using GPS satellites. Then, it securely sends the location data to a smartphone app via cellular networks. The tracker doesn’t need Wi-Fi, and as long as you have coverage, you’ll know where your child is.
How Accurate Are GPS Trackers?
Before assessing the accuracy of a GPS tracker for kids, it's important to understand how the tracker updates. Most devices update their locations every 1 to 10 minutes, usually to save battery usage. However, premium models can update every 3 seconds. The faster the update frequency, the higher the accuracy.
Generally, you can expect GPS trackers to be accurate within 10 to 50 feet in open outdoor areas. However, accuracy decreases in urban areas and underground locations because buildings and other structures block satellite signals.
Geofencing and Instant Alerts
It's not unusual to find a mini GPS tracker for kids that allows geofencing. Parents can set virtual safe zones around places like a child’s home, grandparents’ house, or school. If the tracker goes out of the zone, you’ll receive an instant notification without checking the map.
GPS vs. Bluetooth Trackers
Not all trackers relay data the same way. While a small GPS tracker for kids relies on cellular technology, Bluetooth trackers like the PB714 connect to nearby devices on the Find My network. They’re an excellent choice for locating misplaced items, but they aren’t designed for real-time location updates over long distances.
Wearable vs. Device Tracker: What Parents Need to Know
For families choosing the ideal GPS tracker for kids, the two main options are wearables and dedicated device trackers. Let's look at the differences so you can decide what works best for your family.
|
Wearables (GPS Watch/Clip) |
Device Tracker (Vehicle/Backpack) |
|
The child must wear the device |
Doesn’t require the child’s compliance |
|
Visible on wrists or clothing |
Tucked in backpacks or on/in a car |
|
Can be removed, forgotten, or misplaced |
Stays with the backpack or car |
|
Shorter battery charge, typically 1-30 days, depending on usage |
The battery lasts for weeks between charges |
|
Usually features two-way communication via calls or messages |
Tracks location and routes and sends alerts |
|
Ideal for toddlers or special needs children who need wearable communication |
Best for families with school-age children or teen drivers who want reliable tracking without daily charging |
While device trackers have their strengths, some families need a wearable. Children with special needs, for example, may require a GPS tracker watch for kids that allows communication.
Who Should Choose a Device Tracker?
You may be better off with a child GPS tracker that stays in the backpack or car if you:
- Want to avoid reminding your child to wear a tracker
- Want to monitor a teen driver's routes, speed, and vehicle location
- Have an elementary-age kid who carries the same bag every day
- Need to track a family vehicle
- Prefer weeks of battery life instead of charging every 1 or 2 days
Meaning of “Discreet” Tracking
Using a GPS tracker for kids doesn’t mean spying. "Discreet" only means hiding the tracker in your own vehicle or your kid’s backpack. It's more of a safety measure than a a surveillance device, and it’s legal in all 50 states.
Note: The LAS 54 is a device tracker, not a smartwatch or wearable that goes on your child’s wrist. It's typically placed in a backpack or attached to a car, and it updates its location every 3 seconds. Its magnetic mount, waterproof construction, and long-lasting battery make it a practical choice for families who want dependable tracking.
GPS Tracker Subscription Cost: What You'll Really Pay
Since GPS trackers rely on cellular networks to transmit location data, they require a subscription to cover the mobile data service. However, you can get a GPS tracker for kids with no subscription if you choose a Bluetooth-powered device.
How Much Is a GPS Tracker Subscription?
Most subscription plans for a GPS tracker for kids cost between $5 and $45 per month. The cost depends on brand, update frequency, and specific features. The more often a tracker updates its location, the more expensive the subscription gets.
For the LandAirSea LAS 54, subscription plans start at $19.95 per month for 3-minute updates. If you choose the 3-second updates, the subscription is $49.95 per month. However, there are no activation fees to start using your tracker, and no long-term contracts to lock you in.
Bluetooth trackers, such as the PB714, are a good fit if you need a GPS tracker for kids with no monthly fee. These devices use Apple’s Find My network and avoid the costs associated with cellular networks. In truth, no cellular GPS tracker comes without a subscription.
Monthly Vs. Annual Subscriptions
While you can get a monthly subscription, paying in advance can slash the cost. The trade-off is paying more upfront but getting lower monthly prices. At LandAirSea, you can choose month-to-month billing or prepay for 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years and enjoy markdowns of up to 50%.
The LandAirSea 54: Key Features for Families
The LandAirSea 54 is a magnetic, waterproof, real-time GPS tracker for kids. Designed for long-distance tracking, it’s ideal for users who want to keep tabs on vehicles, backpacks, and other valuables. For most parents, the LAS 54 features that stand out include:
- Real-time updates: The LAS 54 can update its location every 3 seconds. Most trackers refresh within 1-10 minutes to conserve battery power, but a higher refresh rate improves accuracy and may be crucial in emergencies.
- Long battery life: Most GPS watches require charging every 1-2 days. The LAS 54 lasts several weeks on a single charge, depending on location update frequency and usage.
- Compact design: The LAS 54 is a small GPS tracker for kids that fits in a backpack’s front pocket or another concealed spot, so it’s hard to notice.
- Magnetic Mount: Another remarkable feature of the LAS 54 is its built-in powerful magnet. Right out of the box, you can attach it to a car, bike, locker, or any metallic surface without additional mounting components.
- IP67 Waterproof Protection: Parents love that the LAS 54 can survive rain, puddle splashes, and mud. Its secure enclosure makes it suitable for outdoor tracking without worrying about water or dust.
- No Wi-Fi Required: The LAS 54 receives location coordinates from GPS satellites and transmits them via cellular networks. Even if your home Wi-Fi is unavailable, this GPS tracker for kids lets you track your child's or your valuables' location in real time, provided there is cell coverage.
- Geofencing Alerts: It takes only a few moments to configure virtual boundaries on the LAS 54. If the mini GPS tracker for kids leaves or enters important locations, such as home or school, you’ll receive an alert.
- SilverCloud™ Mobile App: Whether you’re on Android or iPhone, you can view live location and route history as transmitted by the LAS 54. The SilverCloud app lets you manage geofences and view multiple devices on a single dashboard.
The PB714: Bluetooth Tracker for Kids' Belongings (No Subscription)
If you're looking for a GPS tracker for kids with no subscription, the PB714 is a great choice. It doesn’t need cellular service to track items, so you don't need a subscription. The tracker uses the Apple Find My network to locate a child's backpack, electronic devices, or other belongings.
Using it is simple. Place it on the items you wish to track, like keys or a backpack. If a valuable is lost, walk around with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that participates in the Find My network. When the tracker is in range, its location is automatically and securely updated, and you can view it in the Find My app.
Bluetooth Tracker Limitations
Despite the benefits, like no monthly fee, it's important to understand what a Bluetooth-powered GPS tracker for kids doesn’t do. First, it’s not a GPS tracker and doesn’t provide continuous, real-time location tracking over a cellular network. Second, it reports its location only when a compatible Apple device is in range. And finally, its short-range capabilities make it unsuitable for remote areas with few Apple devices and long distances.
The PB714 is ideal for locating:
- Keys
- Backpacks
- Jackets
- Lunchboxes
- Other belongings
The LandAirSea PB714 is also not a GPS tracking bracelet for a child nor a wearable device. It’s designed to track only belongings your child carries. Parents or guardians who need real-time tracking over long distances usually pair the PB714 with the cellular LAS 54.
What to Look for in a GPS Tracker for Your Child
A long feature list doesn’t make a device the best GPS tracker for kids. You need a solution that perfectly fits your family’s needs. Here is a checklist that makes it easy to compare your options:
- Update frequency: Choose a tracker that updates in less than a minute if you need genuine real-time tracking. A long refresh period can mean an inaccurate location, especially during school commutes.
- Battery life: A child GPS tracker that lasts several weeks offers more convenience than one that requires daily charging.
- Subscription cost: Besides the device price, be sure to check monthly subscriptions. Cellular trackers feature a monthly bill, while their Bluetooth counterparts don’t.
- Size and form: Consider how you intend to use the tracker. Some devices are wearable, while others are designed for backpacks and vehicles.
- Geofencing and alerts: It's better to choose trackers that let you customize virtual safe zones and send notifications without requiring you to check the app constantly.
- App Quality: A good app should be easy to set up and use. It should also accommodate both Android and iPhone users.
- Waterproof design: Kids’ gear and belongings are frequently exposed to water. A water-resistant device that remains functional in rain, mud, and puddle splashes is your best bet.
- Cellular vs. Bluetooth: Cellular trackers are superb for real-time tracking wherever there is coverage, but they require a monthly subscription. Bluetooth trackers have no monthly fees within Bluetooth range of a compatible device network. They’re suitable for tracking belongings but not a child’s whereabouts.
FAQ: GPS Trackers for Kids
Can you get a GPS tracker for your child?
Yes, you can get a GPS tracker for kids, place it on a backpack or jacket, and know your child’s location in real time. Note that real-time GPS trackers require a monthly subscription since they need cellular data to send location updates.
Can I put a GPS tracker on my child?
All 50 states allow parents or guardians to place a GPS tracker in a minor’s backpack or jacket. You can also attach a tracker to your own vehicle. However, most states have strict laws prohibiting implants on a child or installing any tracker on another person’s property without their knowledge.
What is the most accurate GPS tracker for kids?
The most accurate GPS tracker for kids is a premium model that updates its location every 3-10 seconds. They’re usually accurate within 10 to 50 feet in open areas. Most trackers update every 1-10 minutes to save battery life, but that means less accurate location information.
Do GPS trackers for kids require a subscription?
Yes, GPS trackers require a monthly subscription to cover the cost of cellular service to send location data. Plans range between $5 and $45 per month. However, Bluetooth trackers, including those that use the Apple Find My network, don’t require a subscription.
What is the best GPS tracker for kids without a phone?
Your child doesn’t need a phone for a device tracker to work, and they don’t have to interact with the device. GPS trackers determine their location and autonomously send it to your smartphone.
How long does the battery last on a GPS tracker for kids?
Dedicated device trackers have the best battery life and last between 5 days and a few weeks after charging. GPS smartwatches typically last 1-2 days. The actual battery life of a device depends on usage and the frequency of location updates.
The Bottom Line: Peace of Mind Without the Watch
The best GPS tracker for kids has a feature list that fits your family's needs. If you want to know where a teen driver is or locate a child, a tracker should provide the information on a smartphone. Dedicated cellular devices do the job well with accurate real-time location updates, weeks of battery life, and geofence alerts, all without requiring your child to wear a smartwatch.
For parents of school-age children, families with teen drivers, or anyone looking for a simple, dependable safety solution, a device tracker is often the more practical solution. The best GPS tracker for kids provides the visibility you want while fitting easily into your child's daily routine.
The fact that device trackers aren’t wearable is what makes them the right choice for many families. You don’t have to charge a child GPS tracker daily, remind a young one to wear it, or tell a kid to interact with it. It works hard behind the scenes to provide the location of things and people you care about.
