Garmin Vivofit Junior Review
The first activity tracker designed for kids on the go. Garmin Vivofit JR is swim friendly and features funky, kid-approved designs, a 1-year battery life, and a free, parent-controlled mobile app. The app lets you motivate with rewards and a mobile adventure trail participants can unlock by meeting their activity goal.
PROS
- Stylish kid-friendly design
- Durable and waterproof
- Tracks steps, sleep and 60 minutes of recommended daily activity
- Compatible mobile app for parents
- App rewards chores and tasks
CONS
- Only 3 color options (Vivofit 2 bands can be used)
Garmin Vivofit JR Review – Activity Tracker for Kids
Garmin Vivofit JR. is the new activity tracker specifically for kids. So many children are now following their parents into a sedentary lifestyle, playing video games and watching endless hours of TV.
Garmin Vivofit JR is attempting to change this behavior. Primarily aimed at parents already wearing some kind of activity tracking device, moms and dads can help motivate their child through the parent-controlled app available on all smartphone platforms.
Garmin Vivofit JR. encourages children to be active by tracking their activity intensity and displaying their progress toward the 60-minute daily goal. It’s recommended that children have at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day to help improve their health and wellbeing. This can include activity such as brisk walking or running.
Vivofit JR. Key Features:
- Activity tracker designed specifically for children which tracks steps, activity, and sleep.
- Motivates good behavior through positive encouragement.
- Wearable 24/7, swim-proof with 1+ year battery life.
- Easy to use and put on with stretchy band.
- Auto syncs with the new app where parents can monitor their child’s activity and set tasks.
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Garmin Vivofit JR. has many of the features already found in the Garmin range of activity trackers such as Garmin Vivosmart Heart Rate. It’s wearable 24/7 and can be worn in the swimming pool, shower or bath.
This child-friendly wearable, tracks steps, active time and sleep to help you monitor your child’s physical activity levels, and make sure they are getting enough exercise. Similar to the adult Vivofit, the Junior version has an audible alert for when it’s time to move. This can be silenced for situations like in the classroom.
The child-friendly design ensures the activity tracker is easy to put on. One size fits most with a ‘stretchy’ one-piece band that securely holds the main part of the device. it doesn’t have a clasp so is easier for kids to slip on and off. The watch face tells the time and can be programmed to display the child’s name on the display. There is one large button that is used to press through the screens.
Vivofit JR. Rewards App
Essentially a modern version of the sticker chart, the Vivofit JR app gives parents the ability to motivate good behavior by rewarding tasks and chores with virtual coins. Parents can then decide how many coins it takes to win their reward – a new toy or trip to the movies perhaps. Vivofit JR automatically syncs via Bluetooth with the parent’s mobile device throughout the day and when in range.
Activity Based Challenges
Parents can also set and monitor their child’s activity with challenges such as walking and running. When your child achieves a goal they are rewarded through the app. They can unlock puzzles, games, and fun facts. When a challenge is complete the next one becomes harder so the child can progress.
Children can also see how their family are progressing together through the app on the Adventure Trail feature. Other family members with compatible Garmin activity trackers can join in on a leaderboard and compete in a daily step challenge. The leaderboard updates to show who’s ahead for friendly and fun competition.
Reward Good Behavior with Garmin Vivofit JR.
From within the app, parents can set a Quick Task Timer, this will then show up on the Vivofit JR. display. Quick tasks are set for a period of time for example 2, 5 or 10 mins and then rewarded with coins.
The timer function is a great way to teach children the concept of time and keeping to a schedule. The timer feature can also be set directly on the Vivofit JR.
Do you battle to brush your child’s teeth or comb their hair? The Vivofit JR app has a simple swipe-able checklist for parents to manage children’s chores. This list can be set to repeat daily or weekly with children again being rewarded with coins on completion of the chore.
- Recommended reading: Garmin Vivofit JR 2 Review
Vivofit JR Specifications and Price
Garmin Vivofit JR kids activity tracker is designed for children aged four to nine. It’s currently available in Broken Lava, Digi Camo and Real Flower band patterns which should appeal to kids and fits wrists up to 145mm in diameter.
XL accessory bands are also available for larger wrists between 146 and 170mm. Garmin Vivofit 3 bands can also be used if those color patterns aren’t to you or your child’s taste.
Garmin Vivofit JR. has a 1+ year battery life with no charging required. The battery is a normal CR1632 coin cell and can easily be replaced down the line, but by then a newer version will probably be available.
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Other Activity Trackers for Kids
Garmin isn’t the first to launch an activity tracker for kids with brands including LeapFrog and VTech already in the marketplace. However, these devices don’t have the sophistication and technology that Garmin is offering.
Garmin isn’t the first to launch an activity tracker for kids with brands including LeapFrog and VTech already in the marketplace. However, these devices don’t have the sophistication and technology that Garmin is offering.
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LeapFrog LeapBand has basic activity tracking and is very heavy in comparison (198g). It also only has 2-day battery life and no Bluetooth for wireless syncing. VTech Kidizoom weighs in at 226g and is splash proof with a 2-week battery life. All of these devices are considerably cheaper but don’t have the backing of a credible app that Garmin seem to have created using their talented team of developers.
Garmin Vivofit Junior How To Videos:
The clever folks over at Garmin have created some very useful how to videos for the Vivofit JR. These will help you get started and understand some of the great benefits of the latest activity tracker for kids.
1. How To Get Started with Vivofit JR
Watch this video for instructions on how to get started with your child’s new activity tracker. Assign chores, manage rewards and monitor activity stats:
2. How to Use the Vivofit JR Task Timer
If you struggle to motivate your child with daily tasks then the task manager will help:
3. How To Pair Garmin Vivofit JR with your Smartphone:
The free Vivofit JR app is the biggest feature of the activity tracker. Without the app, you and your child won’t enjoy the full benefits of the device.
4. Exploring the Vivofit JR Adventure Trail
The Adventure Trail within the Vivofit JR app is a fun version of the step leaderboard found in the full Garmin Connect app. Parents and other family members can also join in the challenge if they have a compatible Garmin activity tracker.