Samsung Announces Galaxy Watch For Kids With Google Family Link

Google has partnered with Samsung on a “Galaxy Watch for Kids” experience that is rolling out starting today and will be available in the “coming weeks.”

This is a “new way to set up Galaxy Watch that can help kids stay connected on the go without relying on a smartphone.” As such, this makes use of the Galaxy Watch 7 LTE in the US on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The process involves pairing the Galaxy Watch 7 LTE to your phone, selecting “set-up for a child,” and then activating the eSIM. Afterwards, a “smartphone is no longer required for your child.”

Google’s role is Wear OS and Family Link. Parents will use the latter app to:

Stay in touch: Set up who your kids can call and text from their watch.
Manage Google Play apps: Approve or block apps your child can download to their watch. You can even block an app after it’s been installed.
View location on a map: View the watch’s location on a map to see where your kids are.
Reduce distractions with School time: Limit functionality during school hours to help kids stay focused during class. You can manage their schedule and add breaks in the Family Link app.
Find lost devices: Quickly locate misplaced watches in your Family Link app.

The other big aspect is a partnership with “popular kids brands to bring 20 new Teacher Approved apps and watch faces.” This includes:

The Barbie Color Creations app invites kids to take on fun weekly coloring projects with inspiring messages from Barbie right from their wrist. It also comes with a sparkly, rainbow-themed watch face.
The Crayola Create & Play app encourages creativity, self-expression and care with bite-sized activities, as well as a customizable watch face featuring a colorful assortment of Crayola pets.
In the Marvel HQ: Groove with Groot app, kids can create beats and dance along with Groot, plus use watch faces featuring favorite characters like Groot, Captain America and Hulk.
The MathTango app has engaging multiplication puzzles, collectable dancing monsters and vibrant animations and sounds to make math practice fun.
The Rubik’s Cube® watch face brings this classic puzzle to life with cool 3D twists and turns!
The Tech Deck® watch face empowers kids to explore and express their style as they mix and match 10 unique skateboard decks and background designs.
You’ll want to check out two new apps from PBS KIDS, starting with Wild Kratts Creature Power Up. Meet, learn about and move along with new animal friends alongside the Kratt Brothers, and put your Creature Powers to the test through daily activity challenges. Next, the Odd Squad Time Unit app encourages kids to use movement, problem-solving skills and math to solve odd cases and earn agent badges. Don’t miss the PBS KIDS: Dot Watch Face to tell time with Dot, plus additional watch faces from Wild Kratts and Odd Squad.
With the Rebel Girls Mood Journal app, kids learn to recognize and track their emotions, receive empowering affirmations and fun activity prompts and earn badges featuring inspiring women. Plus, they can wear their confidence on their wrist with cool Rebel Girls Watch Faces!
Two Whats?! & A Wow! is a daily trivia game where kids guess science facts from fiction, while learning the scientific “how” behind each “wow” statement. Pair the game with the Wow in the World Watch Face that will keep you saying “WOW!” with space themes, seasonal updates and surprises.
Unicorn Academy™ watch faces let kids personalize their watch with their favorite unicorn and its rider while discovering delightful animation inspired by Spin Master’s Netflix-original series.