Garmin Bounce™ 2 Kids Smartwatch with Calling, Messaging & Location Tracking
The Bounce 2 is Garmin's most full-featured kids smartwatch — a 43mm LTE-connected device built for children ages 6–12 that lets parents call, text, and track their child's location in real time without handing them a smartphone. It features a vivid 1.2-inch round AMOLED touchscreen (390×390px), two-way calling with a built-in speaker and microphone, text messaging with a full on-device keyboard, real-time GPS location tracking with geofenced safe zones, and built-in sports apps for running, biking, swimming, and more. Amazon Music playback (subscription required), educational games, chore management with rewards, and voice commands are all included. The Bounce 2 offers up to 2 days of battery life, 4 GB of internal storage, a swim-friendly 5 ATM water rating, and a lightweight 40.4 g design (with strap). An active Garmin Kids Smartwatch LTE Plan ($9.99/mo or $99/yr) is required for calling, messaging, and location features. No heart rate sensor, no Garmin Pay, no music from Spotify — but everything a parent needs to stay connected and everything a kid needs to stay active.
Our Take: The Bounce 2 is Garmin's answer to the question every parent faces: how do I let my kid stay connected and independent without giving them a smartphone? It's a purpose-built kids smartwatch with LTE calling, text messaging, and real-time GPS location tracking — all managed through Garmin's own subscription plan, so there's no SIM card or phone carrier to deal with. Kids get a bright AMOLED touchscreen, sports tracking, games, Amazon Music, and voice commands. Parents get peace of mind with live location, safe-zone alerts, school mode, and full control through the Garmin Jr. app. What it doesn't have: no heart rate sensor, no Spotify, and no way to communicate with non-Garmin contacts who haven't installed the Garmin Jr. app. At $299.99 plus $9.99/month for LTE service, it's a significant investment — but for families looking to delay the smartphone, it's the most capable kid-focused alternative Garmin has ever made.
Why you'd choose this model
- Two-way calling & text messaging from the wrist Built-in speaker and microphone let kids make and receive calls, send texts with a full on-device keyboard (including emojis), and exchange voice messages — all through the Garmin Jr. app. No smartphone required for the child.
- Real-time GPS location tracking with safe zones Parents can see their child's live location in the Garmin Jr. app, set geofenced safe zones, and get alerts when their child enters or leaves a defined area. The Assistance feature triggers a LiveTrack link and call to family contacts.
- Vivid 1.2" round AMOLED touchscreen (390×390px) Bright, colorful display that's easy for kids to read indoors and outdoors. Touchscreen plus two physical side buttons make navigation intuitive for small hands — even when wet.
- Built-in sports apps with GPS tracking Track running, biking, swimming, soccer, basketball, tennis, yoga, and many more activities with GPS-based distance and pace. Far more sport profiles than any other kids watch.
- Amazon Music playback & voice commands Kids can download playlists from Amazon Music and listen through the built-in speaker or Bluetooth headphones. Voice commands let them say "call Mom" or "start a timer" hands-free. Amazon Music subscription required.
- Chore management, rewards & educational games Parents assign chores through the Garmin Jr. app. Kids check them off on the watch and earn coins redeemable for parent-defined rewards. Built-in Copycat and Math Flash games keep kids engaged during approved times.
- Swim-friendly 5 ATM & lightweight 40.4 g design Rated to 50 meters — safe for pool swimming, splash play, and rain. The fiber-reinforced polymer case with chemically strengthened glass is durable enough for active kids, and at 40.4 g (with strap) it's light enough for all-day wear.
- School mode & parental controls via Garmin Jr. app School mode silences notifications during class hours. Parents manage up to 50 contacts, control who can reach their child, set do-not-disturb schedules, and monitor activity, sleep, and chore data — all from the Garmin Jr. app.
Who this watch is perfect for
- Parents who want to delay giving their child a smartphone but need a way to call, text, and locate them.
- Active kids ages 6–12 who play sports, swim, and want to track their activities with real GPS data.
- Families who want a single device for communication, location safety, activity tracking, and parental controls.
- Parents who prefer Garmin's managed LTE plan over dealing with phone carriers, SIM cards, or adding a line to their mobile plan.
- Households where family members use a mix of Apple and Android devices — the Garmin Jr. app works on both platforms.
You may prefer a different Garmin if…
- You don't need calling or location tracking and just want an activity tracker — the vívofit jr. 3 costs $89.99 with no subscription and has 1-year battery life.
- Your child's friends use Apple Watch or other non-Garmin devices — Bounce 2 can only communicate with contacts using the Garmin Jr. app.
- You want heart rate monitoring for your child — the Bounce 2 does not include an HR sensor.
- Battery life is a top priority — the Bounce 2 lasts up to 2 days vs 1 year on the vívofit jr. 3.
- You want Spotify support — only Amazon Music is available on the Bounce 2.
Bounce™ 2 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Case size | 43 mm × 43 mm × 12.4 mm |
| Display | AMOLED — 1.2" round, 390×390px, color touchscreen |
| Touchscreen | Yes — touchscreen + 2 side buttons |
| Bezel / case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens protection | Chemically strengthened glass |
| HR sensor | None |
| Speaker & microphone | Yes — built-in for calls and voice commands |
| Battery life | Up to 2 days (LTE usage significantly impacts battery) |
| Water rating | 5 ATM (50m) — swim-friendly |
| Weight | 26.5 g (case) / 40.4 g (with strap) |
| Internal storage | 4 GB |
| Music | Amazon Music (subscription required) |
| Connectivity | LTE (Garmin managed), Bluetooth |
| Positioning | GPS |
| Strap | Silicone, 20 mm quick-release, fits 115–180 mm |
| Charging | Proprietary Garmin plug charger |
| LTE plan | $9.99/mo or $99/yr (managed by Garmin) |
| Target age | Ages 6–12 |
All Variants — MPN & UPC Reference (USA)
| Color | MPN | UPC | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slate Gray | 010-03399-00 | 753759349424 | $299.99 |
| Light Purple | 010-03399-01 | 753759349431 | $299.99 |
| Turquoise | 010-03399-02 | — | $299.99 |
All three Bounce 2 variants have identical hardware and features. Color is the only difference. All require a separate Garmin Kids Smartwatch LTE Plan for calling, messaging, and location features.
How the Bounce™ 2 Compares to the vívofit® jr. 3
Two very different Garmin kids wearables — one is a connected smartwatch with LTE, the other is a no-subscription activity tracker. Hover any row label for a plain-English explanation.
Hardware & Display
| Feature |
Bounce 2Connected
|
vívofit jr. 3Tracker
|
|---|---|---|
| Display type?AMOLED is bright and vivid with deep blacks. MIP is always-on and battery-efficient but much less colorful. | AMOLED 1.2" round | Color MIP 0.55" square |
| Display resolution?Higher resolution means sharper text and graphics — important for reading messages on a small screen. | 390 × 390 px | 112 × 112 px |
| Touchscreen?Touchscreen makes typing messages and navigating menus easier for kids. | Yes | No |
| Case size?Smaller case fits smaller wrists more comfortably for young children. | 43 mm round | ~30 mm (watch-style) |
| Weight?Lighter weight is more comfortable for all-day wear on small wrists. | 40.4 g (with strap) | 25 g |
| Water rating?5 ATM means safe for swimming, pool play, and rain. | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Speaker & mic?Built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls and voice commands from the wrist. | Yes | No |
| Wrist sizes?Range of wrist circumferences the strap can accommodate. | 115–180 mm | 130–175 mm |
Communication & Safety
| Feature |
Bounce 2Connected
|
vívofit jr. 3Tracker
|
|---|---|---|
| Two-way calling?Make and receive voice calls between the watch and the Garmin Jr. app. | Yes | No |
| Text messaging?Send and receive text messages with a keyboard, emojis, and preset replies. | Yes | No |
| Voice messaging?Record and send voice notes; parents receive transcriptions in the app. | Yes | No |
| Real-time location tracking?Parents can see where their child is in real time via the Garmin Jr. app. | Yes | No |
| Safe zone alerts?Get notified when your child enters or leaves a parent-defined geographic boundary. | Yes | No |
| Assistance alerts?Child can quickly trigger a message with their live location and a call to family contacts. | Yes | No |
| ICE contact widget?Emergency contact information accessible on the watch display. | Yes | Yes |
| LTE connectivity?Cellular connection managed by Garmin — enables calling, messaging, and location without a phone nearby. | Yes | No |
| Monthly subscription?The Bounce 2 requires a paid LTE plan for connected features. The vívofit jr. 3 has no ongoing cost. | $9.99/mo or $99/yr | None required |
Activity & Health Tracking
| Feature |
Bounce 2Connected
|
vívofit jr. 3Tracker
|
|---|---|---|
| GPS?Built-in GPS tracks outdoor activities with real distance and pace data. | Yes | No |
| Step tracking?Counts daily steps and tracks progress toward daily activity goals. | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking?Monitors estimated sleep duration overnight. | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate sensor?Neither device includes a wrist-based heart rate sensor. | No | No |
| Sport profiles?Number and variety of dedicated sport activity modes available on the watch. | 30+ (running, biking, swim, team sports, snow, racket, yoga, etc.) | Timed activities (steps & distance estimate) |
| Pool swimming?Dedicated swim mode that tracks laps in a pool. | Yes | No (swim-friendly, not swim-tracking) |
| 60-min activity goal?Daily goal of 60 minutes of activity — the CDC-recommended amount for children. | Yes | Yes |
Smart Features & Entertainment
| Feature |
Bounce 2Connected
|
vívofit jr. 3Tracker
|
|---|---|---|
| Music playback?Play music through the watch speaker or Bluetooth headphones. | Amazon Music (sub req.) | No |
| Internal storage?On-device memory for music, apps, and data. | 4 GB | 14 days activity data |
| Voice commands?Speak to the watch to make calls, start timers, or check weather. | Yes | No |
| Games on device?Built-in games kids can play directly on the watch. | Yes | No (games in app only) |
| Chore management?Parents assign tasks, kids check off and earn rewards. | Yes | Yes |
| Themed adventures?Activity-unlocked educational stories and missions in the Garmin Jr. app. | Yes | Yes (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars) |
| Toe-to-Toe challenges?Friendly step competitions with nearby friends who have compatible Garmin devices. | Yes | Yes |
| School mode?Silences notifications and locks distracting features during school hours. | Yes | No |
Battery & Charging
| Feature |
Bounce 2Connected
|
vívofit jr. 3Tracker
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery life?How long the device lasts before needing power. The vívofit jr. 3's replaceable coin cell battery is a massive advantage for maintenance-free use. | Up to 2 days | Up to 1 year |
| Charging method?How the device gets power — rechargeable via cable or a replaceable battery that lasts a full year. | Proprietary clip cable | CR2025 coin cell (parent-replaceable) |
Where the Bounce™ 2 fits in Garmin's kids lineup
★ You Are Here — Connected Smartwatch
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- Bounce 2 — LTE calling & messaging, real-time location, AMOLED, GPS sports tracking, Amazon Music. Requires $9.99/mo LTE plan.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Budget-Friendly Activity Tracker
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- vívofit jr. 3 — Steps, sleep, chores, themed adventures, 1-year battery. No calling, no GPS, no subscription.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
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Bounce™ 2 — Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the Garmin Bounce 2 designed for?
The Garmin Bounce 2 is designed for children ages 6–12. The adjustable silicone strap fits wrists from 115 mm to 180 mm, and the 43 mm case with touchscreen and two side buttons is sized for smaller hands. The interface, games, and activity features are all kid-appropriate.
Does the Garmin Bounce 2 require a monthly subscription?
Yes. To use LTE features — two-way calling, text messaging, voice messaging, and real-time location tracking — an active Garmin Kids Smartwatch LTE Plan is required at $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Without the subscription, the Bounce 2 still functions as an activity tracker and digital watch but cannot make calls, send messages, or share location.
What is the difference between the Garmin Bounce 2 and the vívofit jr. 3?
The Bounce 2 is a full smartwatch with LTE connectivity, two-way calling, text messaging, real-time GPS location tracking, a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a built-in speaker and microphone, Amazon Music playback, and 4 GB of storage. The vívofit jr. 3 is a simpler activity tracker with a 0.55-inch color MIP display, step and sleep tracking, chore management, and themed adventures — but no calling, no messaging, no GPS location tracking, and no LTE. The vívofit jr. 3 has a 1-year replaceable battery vs the Bounce 2's 2-day rechargeable battery. The Bounce 2 costs $299.99 plus a monthly LTE subscription; the vívofit jr. 3 costs $89.99 with no subscription required.
Can the Garmin Bounce 2 play music?
Yes. The Bounce 2 supports Amazon Music playback (Amazon Music Unlimited or Amazon Prime subscription required). Kids can listen through the built-in speaker or paired Bluetooth headphones. Spotify is not currently supported.
Does the Garmin Bounce 2 have a heart rate sensor?
No. The Bounce 2 does not include a wrist-based heart rate sensor. It tracks steps, activity minutes, sleep, and GPS-based sports metrics like distance and pace, but it does not monitor heart rate.
Is the Garmin Bounce 2 waterproof?
The Bounce 2 is rated 5 ATM (50 meters), making it swim-friendly. Kids can wear it in the pool, at the beach, or in the shower. It tracks pool swimming laps as a built-in activity profile.
How does location tracking work on the Bounce 2?
Parents can view their child's real-time location in the Garmin Jr. smartphone app. You can set up geofenced safe zones and receive alerts when your child enters or leaves those boundaries. The Assistance feature lets children quickly trigger a message with their live location and a call to designated family contacts. An active LTE subscription and network coverage are required for all location features.
How long does the Garmin Bounce 2 battery last?
Garmin rates the Bounce 2 at up to 2 days of battery life. However, heavy use of LTE features — calling, messaging, and continuous location tracking — will significantly reduce battery life. It charges via a proprietary Garmin clip cable.
Can my child communicate with friends who have an Apple Watch?
Not directly through the watch. The Bounce 2 communicates through Garmin's own LTE service and the Garmin Jr. app. To contact someone, that person must have the Garmin Jr. app installed on their smartphone. Kids with Apple Watches, other smartwatches, or regular phones cannot receive messages from the Bounce 2 unless they install the Garmin Jr. app.