Today kids want to do what the adults are doing, and sometimes they are even one step ahead. This is the case with Vtech’s Kidizoom Smart Watch which is available now (ahead of Apple’s new iWatch). It features are both analogue and digital watch displays, voice recorder and distortion, photo and video recording and effects, stopwatch and timer, games and an alarm. It includes 128 MB internal memory – storing around 900 photos or 15 minutes of video. Aimed at children ages 5-12 years it is simple enough to use (with its touch screen, camera and home buttons) for the younger audience, but technical enough (with its capabilities) for the older range. We were invited to Go Ape at Black Park for the boys to take the Kidizoom challenge to show off just how smart these watches are.
- Pull a cheeky monkey face with Bob the Ape
- Capture your journey through the Tibetan Bridge.
- Howl like Tarzan as you zoom on the zip wire.
- Cross the noughts and crosses backwards.
- Cross the flying carpet with no hands.
- Hop across the button bridge.
- Chatter like a monkey on the zip wire.
- Take a selfie on the balancing beam.
- Capture the treetop view on the chess crossing.
- Smile for the camera you have completed the smart watch challenge.
One of the problems we did run into was the fact that the boys loved recording, snapping and editing so much that they did run out of room. This means they deleted a lot of the challenge (without thinking) as they were just so keen to record/create new things. For me this is a good sign that it would make a good Christmas present as it definitely has lasting playability. This was the same for all three of my boys (ages 5, 7 and 11) so do believe the Smart Watch fits its target audience well.
When home it was straight forward to plug-in to the laptop to charge and move files. There is also an option to add files (but only ones taken with the Smart Watch) this means you can save favourite photos or add ones of themselves taken by their friends/family on their watches. It was really interesting to see and hear things from a child’s point of view. The recorder on the watch is rather discreet so people many not even release that any recording is going on. Or the child may have pressed record and forgot themselves.
As a parent I also liked how educational it was as children don’t seem to wear watches these days as they can tell the time on their phones! So it was good to hear the younger ones learning the analogue and digital times, as well as watching them having fun setting alarms and programming the stop watch. We did talk about NOT setting an alarm to go off at 1am!!!
I was impressed with the quality of the pictures (well the ones my boys had managed to shoot right) and they already started learning photo techniques (such as it’s impossible to take a good picture without the right light). There was a good variety of editing options for both their photos and videos. The games I have only watched them play but did see that they utilised the photos they had taken. Again they seemed straight forward enough for even my 5 year old to access and use (plus he has special needs).
Not only would I really recommend Vtech’s Kidizoom Smart Watch but it has made me really consider getting myself an iWatch when they are out – or at least looking into whether they are as good!
Available from all good toy stores RRP £39.99. I spot that Boots currently are selling them for £29.99 or 2,999 points.
The boys were each gifted with a Kidizoom Smart Watch and a Go Ape experience in order to test out all it’s capabilities. Transport and food were also provided. All words and opinions are my own.
I love your video! It was such a great day, A has been playing with her watch all day. Great photos too.
Was lovely to see you- am glad she loved her watch too – they are fab.
Hello there, I really enjoyed reading this, not least because we have a Go Ape! just down the road. It looks like you all had a fabulous day, and the watches sound fab! x #ssamazingachievements
Have you been? It’s my boys 3rd time, they love it.
ooooh these look great fun Joy – i love the fact that the kids could record without anyone knowing lol. the quality of the photos and video is really good too and i think they are a great price too. lovely review Joy x
Haha I thought that they may come in handy the next time the kids have an assembly lol.
Just been shown your review by my OH as he’s the Manager at Go Ape Black Park and I immediately said I know that blogger and follow on Twitter etc! Looks like your kids had a great time and the watch took some great footage at some interesting angles! One for my LO when she’s older!
Oh how cool is that. You must be very proud of him, all the staff were lovely. I cannot sing the praises of the watch enough. I need to see what the kids recorded when we went to London now.
Was that the Go Ape at Wyre Forest? my daughters loves it there-sh’es much braver than i am! I really like the look of this watch Joy. I can see it appealing to both my two, although maybe my son at (just) 4 might be too young? I’m very tempted to pop to Boots online and grab a couple 🙂
No it was at Black Park. Nikki’s daughter is 4 (I believe) and she went up and did a smashing job of tackling the course. Yes do get the watches – we have used them to help our son know the time today by setting an alarm to go off for him.
My son is 4 but he is a bit of a techie knowing his way around the ipad & my laptop! And he is with me now watching this and he wants one for Christmas he said =P #countrykids
He has very good taste – I would suggest to him to ask Father Christmas for one 🙂
These look great! And the boys certainly seem to have had a great time trying them out, Go Ape looks like a good place to put them through their paces 🙂 #SSAA #CountryKids
These watches sound perfect for a gadget obsessed little one, and they seem quite good quality videos and photos for what they are. I’m glad you all had a brilliant day at Go Ape, I’m impressed with the boys completing it! Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
Hmm, timely – I was just literally pondering getting our five year old something like a hudl for Christmas.. this has thrown a spanner in the works! Love that they held a Go Ape challenge to test it though – what good fun! 🙂 #countrykids
We’ve been to Go Ape before and had a great time. VTech Kidizoom smart watch looks quite good, I will check it out! 🙂 x
I have a gown up son that would love one of those watches lol. Great pictures looks like lots of fun was had!
I’ve not seen these before, but they sound really good. A great way to put it all to the test, too x
What a fantastic bit of kit and the video is really clear. I want one ;0). Your boys did so well at GoApe, I think they are very brave.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
These watches sound awesome! My 5yo would absolutely love one – might get the grand parents to buy it for her for Xmas. I’ve heard great things about Go Ape too, sounds like you had a fab time
That is very very cool! My children would love those!
Oh what a fab idea! They look ace! My girl had the VTech kiddies camera and she ran out of room as she ended up taking 670 pictures of like one biscuit. Bizarre child x
Aww what a great idea, these watches and Go Ape look like fun 🙂