When a stuffed animal won’t do for your toddler anymore, it may mean that your child requires something with a little more entertainment value. There are many options available for youngsters today, from books and board games to television-themed toys and playsets. We tested out the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2, which combines entertainment, education, and much more. Read on to see what we found.
Design: Stylish look offering a variety of fun color options
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 is stylish, whether it’s for a toddler or a 10-year-old. The main screen is square-shaped with a durable wristband made of silicone rubber that can be easily adjusted to the user’s wrist size by pulling the buckle tongue through the correct sizing hole. In addition to its overall sleek look, various color options cater to a range of preferences, including purple, blue, pink, black, and camouflage. The colors are vibrant, fun, and feel young. One of the first things our 4-year-old niece noticed when we gave her the pink smartwatch was the bright color. She shouted, “Ooo, it’s pink!”
Setup Process: Ready at the touch of a few buttons
Setting the smartwatch up for the first time requires little work. Once we opened the watch from the package, we switched the power button located on the back of the watch to the “on” position. It needed to be charged before use. To charge, there is a micro-USB cable included in the package that connects the watch to a computer. The micro-USB port is located on the side of the smartwatch underneath a removable rubber cover. The cable connects to a USB port on a computer recharges the watch battery. It takes about two hours to charge fully.
Entertainment Value: Dual cameras take the cake
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 has numerous features that can keep kids entertained for large chunks of time. Beyond being able to help kids tell time with its numerous clock displays, there are also several built-in games, a video camera, photo editing tools, and timer tools. Plus, like many other smartwatches, the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 can track and monitor the user’s motion. Various activities work to motivate the user to move, including jumping, dancing, and running challenges. One of the most fun features is the camera function, which allows the user to take photos of their surroundings and selfies using the included dual cameras. Our niece loved playing with the camera most of all. The smartwatch has a voice recording function that she used practically nonstop. She would record herself saying something funny and replay it throughout the day. It was another one of her favorite aspects of this smartwatch.
Educational Value: Teaches telling time and offers several logic games
This smartwatch also functions as an educational tool. An adult will need to help a younger child to navigate the time-telling activities in which the owl tells the time in both analog and digital modes when the clock is tapped on. A child can also tap on the screen to listen to the clock audio. Several logic games are geared towards children age 5 and up. The challenges progressively get harder with every correct answer. The included parent’s guide gives more information on how to play logic games like “Treasure Hunt” and ‘Balloon Numbers," which engages a child’s sequencing knowledge associated with numbers, shapes, and colors.
Age Range: Endless fun for toddlers and entertains older kids too
Overall, we found that our niece really enjoyed the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2. She was able to occupy herself with the watch once we showed her how certain functions worked, such as the selfie camera and the games. She typically played with the smartwatch for 30-minute chunks of time. It probably would have been longer, but she gets limited screen time daily. This smartwatch also caters to older children. There are a variety of functions that are better suited for children ages 7 and up. The more advanced activities include the movement challenges, the photo editing tools, and higher logic games levels.
Care and Maintenance: Requires charging and backing up every few days
This smartwatch runs on a lithium-ion polymer battery (included inside the watch) that is a rechargeable, non-replaceable battery. Much like any device that runs on battery, the more you use it, the sooner it will require charging. In general, we found that watch needed charging after two to three days of normal usage. The screen automatically turns off after a short time to preserve the battery life. To clean the watch, the wristband requires a simple wipe down with a slightly damp cloth. The screen can be cleaned off with a dry cloth. It’s also important not to expose the watch to water, direct sunlight, or heat sources. The photos, videos, or audio recorded on the watch can easily be transferred onto a computer when charging. This is handy if the watch runs out of memory space. This watch can hold up to 1,520 photos and about 22 minutes of video.
Parental Controls: Accessible to children who can read
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX has parental controls that allow the parent to disable games or set a daily limit on the watch from 15 to 90 minutes per day. Once the limit is reached, the games will not be accessible until the following day. A downside of the parental controls is that children who can read can access these settings. By following the on-screen instructions, a child could easily disable the limits set by their parents.
Price: Pricey for a children’s toy
Retailing for around $50, this smartwatch is on the higher end in terms of toy pricing. However, it’s totally worth it for the entertainment, brainteasers, and its usefulness.
Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 vs. LeapFrog LeapBand
The LeapFrog LeapBand is another smartwatch geared towards a similar demographic. The overall look of the LeapFrog LeapBand is slightly more kid-friendly than the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 and comes only in green and blue color varieties. The major difference between the two watches is that the LeapFrog LeapBand’s main function is to encourage everyday activity versus the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2, which functions more to entertain. Though the LeapFrog LeapBand boasts 50 active challenges, it does not have a camera or a voice recorder. The LeapFrog LeapBand costs about $20 more (around $70). In the end, it comes down to what purpose you are buying the watch for. If it’s to keep your kids busy and entertained, the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 is a great option. However, if you really want your child to be more active, then it might make sense to pay more for LeapFrog LeapBand’s many active challenges. This is an excellent gift option that provides tons of entertainment, activity, and education. This smartwatch keeps children occupied from the voice recorder and the photo features to the educational games and movement challenges.
