kids & parenting

We have been thinking about sustainability for some time. Especially when it comes to our homes, our travel habits, and our diet. We may have thought about it when we were shopping for clothes for ourselves. But how much thought have we given to what we buy for our little ones, where does it come from, what is it made of and how is it made?  Many companies realized that joining the clean and green movement was profitable and joined it. It's important to understand some of these key terms so that we know what to look for when shopping for our family. Sustainable fashion is an umbrella term that describes the products, processes, activities and actors (politicians, brands, consumers) who strive for a carbon-neutral fashion industry based on equity, social justice, animal welfare and ecological integrity. In short, the movement is more planet- and worker-friendly than the "fast-fashion" we're used to. Sustainable clothing is often associated with slow fashion. Clothing...

High schoolers are fine to graduate to a  fitness tracker for adults  — it's likely that they'll already have a phone at that point, anyway — but the functionality of a full-fledged smartwatch probably isn't ideal for kids. Adult fitness trackers that graze smartwatch status, like the  Some parents may prefer that those not be an option at all. Nearly every adult activity tracker on the market tracks calories burned, which is a metric that kids should absolutely not be focusing on. Ultimately, you want to make physical activity fun, hopefully fueling positive behavioral changes and building healthy habits that don't involve an obsession with weight. The caveat here is built-in GPS tracker for kids . We'd be remiss not to mention the fact that most kid-specific fitness trackers can't be used as a standalone device to track a child's location. If the peace of mind that comes with onboard GPS is important to you, opt for a kid-friendly smartwatch with GPS  .

Fitness Between the ages of five and 18 you need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, NHS guidelines say. If you're having trouble lifting your child off the couch, maybe a wearable device can motivate them. Some allow children to take part in step-by-step challenges against others, which can be a fun way to get the whole family involved. Some are waterproof so your child can keep them on while learning to swim, and some offer sleep tracking - useful if you're worried your child isn't getting enough sleep. Security This is the main attraction for many parents. Some have child GPS trackers so you can track your child's location. The geo-fencing feature means you'll get notified when your child leaves a certain area, and some have an SOS button so your child can communicate with you in an emergency. With some kid's clothes, kids can make calls, send text messages and take photos. If it's a slightly older child but you don't think they're...

If you have your own smartwatch , you may find that your child is fascinated by it and may even like one of their own. While investing in an Apple Watch might be a bit overwhelming for a five-year-old, there are plenty of smartwatch options designed for kids . Many smartwatches for kids offer similar benefits to these older models — activity tracking, goal setting, and life management features like calendars. Some go a step further and operate GPS tracking , calls and some even have cameras. So how do you choose the best smartwatch for your child? "Parents should consider the importance of parental controls, such as setting bedtime alarms or restricting access to certain features," advises PhD researcher Amy Creaser of the Loughborough School of Sport, Exercise and Science. She adds that involving your child in purchasing decisions is also beneficial. “Some smartwatches offer gamified components such as challenges, virtual rewards, and avatars, which kids generally like, but ...

As the smartwatch market has grown, budget smartwatches have evolved from glamorous pedometers to smart devices with relatively decent features. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying a cheap smartwatch. The most important thing to consider is compatibility. Unfortunately, not all smartwatches can be paired with Android and iOS. For example, Apple Watch SE only works with iPhone. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is only compatible with Android. So make sure the smartwatch you buy is compatible with your smartphone. Battery life is another important detail. This can vary from a day to a few weeks, but generally depends on the capabilities of the smartwatch and how often you use it. If you have no trouble charging your smartwatch every day, make sure you know how many times you may need to charge your purchases before charging your credit card. While premium smartwatches tend to have fairly robust health and fitness tracking options, budget smartwatches can sacri...

There is a wide variety of activity trackers and smartwatches for kids , so here are a few things to consider when making your choice: Your child's age: How old is your child? For what age group is the product intended? Some smartwatches and activity trackers can be used by children as young as three years old, while others are more suitable for teens or teens looking to take advantage of the enhanced functionality and a more "adult" design. Features: What features would you like your child to have? Want a fun game or gift to motivate younger kids? Is fitness tracking the most important thing, or do you want the added security of GPS, call, and text tracking capabilities? Watch Size: While all children's devices are intended for a smaller audience, sizes and shapes vary widely. While a larger and thicker smartwatch may be suitable for an older child or teenager, you may want to opt for a smaller, lighter watch if your child is smaller or has small, petite wrists. Pric...

Smartwatches don't have to be just for adults; In fact, there are already a number of smartwatch models on the market aimed at a younger audience, with some offering game development and learning, which can be good reasons to invest in wearable technology on the go. Because during the summer holidays you want to make sure your kids stay active instead of spending every day in bed playing Fortnite. Maybe they can also get creative with the best camera for kids. If your child is a little older, you might want to take a look at the best smartwatches (for adults and teens) too. There are a number of different features to look for in a children's smartwatch. Some are just for fun while others have great practice to encourage learning Lastly, some children's smartwatches are designed with safety in mind, including GPS trackers that parents can monitor to make sure their kids are there at all times. Whatever you're looking for, our list below has something for everyone. It ...