Summer is a season of growing independence. From bike rides around the neighbourhood and afternoons at the park to sleepaway camp and family vacations, kids are spending more time exploring on their own—and parents are looking for ways to give them that freedom without sacrificing peace of mind.
For families who aren’t quite ready to hand over a smartphone, Apple Watch For Your Kids is emerging as an appealing middle ground. The feature allows parents or guardians to set up and manage a compatible Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) for a child using their own iPhone, giving kids the ability to stay connected even if they don’t have an iPhone of their own.
The result? Kids can make calls, send texts and share their location, while parents retain control over settings and safety features—all without introducing many of the distractions that come with a smartphone.
One thing to know before getting started: your child will need a cellular service plan for their Apple Watch, allowing it to connect to the cellular network with its own phone number and account—even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. In Canada, TELUS, Bell and Rogers all offer Apple Watch For Your Kids plans, making it easy for families to stay connected wherever summer adventures take them.
The timing couldn’t be better. Whether it’s cycling to a friend’s house, spending the day at summer camp or navigating a busy theme park on vacation, Apple Watch offers tools designed to help families stay connected while encouraging confidence and independence.
For travel, built-in features like Find My and Emergency SOS can offer extra reassurance in crowded destinations, while the durable, water-resistant design of Apple Watch SE is built to keep up with active summer adventures.
Camp season is another moment when the wearable comes into its own. Parents can stay in touch through calls and messages when appropriate, while features like Schooltime help minimize distractions during structured activities. Medical ID can also provide quick access to important health information if needed.
Perhaps most importantly, Apple Watch offers an alternative to what many parents consider one of modern childhood’s biggest milestones: the first phone. Instead of introducing unrestricted internet access and social media, families can ease into connected technology with a device designed to prioritize communication, safety and independence.
For many parents, that’s a summer win worth wearing. —Noa Nichol
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