- Premium-Priced Kids’ Smartwatch: Garmin’s new Bounce 2 is priced at $299.99 – twice the cost of the original Bounce and even more than an Apple Watch SE werindia.com. A $9.99 per month LTE subscription is required for connectivity werindia.com.
- Stay in Touch Anywhere: Bounce 2 offers two-way voice calling, text messaging with a full keyboard, and voice messages so kids can call or message parent-approved contacts directly from the watch streetinsider.com streetinsider.com. (The original Bounce only allowed voice messages, not actual calls werindia.com.)
- Real-Time GPS Tracking: Parents can track their child’s location in real time via the Garmin Jr. app and set up geofenced safety zones (e.g. home, school, park) to get alerts when the child enters or leaves those areas streetinsider.com wareable.com. A “Check-In” feature lets kids manually send their location update to parents werindia.com.
- Fitness and Fun for Kids: Bounce 2 includes gamified fitness tracking with sports apps (running, cycling, team sports, etc.) tailored for kids streetinsider.com. It’s swim-proof and durable for all-day play, with animated watch faces and even educational games to keep kids engaged wareable.com tulsakids.com.
- Music and Voice Controls: Unusual for a kid’s wearable, Bounce 2 lets you download songs from Amazon Music directly to the watch for playback on its speaker or via Bluetooth headphones streetinsider.com tomsguide.com. The built-in speaker also supports voice commands like “call Mom” or “start a timer” for hands-free use streetinsider.com.
- Updated Design: The Bounce 2 is a major redesign – it now features a round 1.2-inch AMOLED display (bright and colorful) streetinsider.com. This is a departure from the original’s square, Apple Watch-like look werindia.com. It comes in three kid-friendly colors (light purple, turquoise/teal, and slate gray) and has two side buttons plus a touchscreen for easy navigation streetinsider.com.
- Battery Life: Garmin claims up to 2 days of battery life per charge streetinsider.com. That beats some competitors (the Apple Watch typically lasts about a day), though real-world life will vary with LTE use wareable.com. It’s enough for school days but still means charging every couple of nights.
- Availability: The Bounce 2 launched on September 17, 2025 and is available now through Garmin’s website and retailers streetinsider.com. It was part of a surprise wave of Garmin fall product launches (alongside the Venu 4 and others) announced that day wareable.com wareable.com.
Overview: What Is the Garmin Bounce 2?
Garmin’s Bounce 2 is a 4G LTE-connected smartwatch designed specifically for kids – essentially a phone alternative worn on the wrist. Announced in September 2025, it updates Garmin’s original Bounce kids’ watch with a more stylish look and significant new features like two-way calling and an upgraded display werindia.com werindia.com. The Bounce 2 targets parents who want to stay connected with their children and keep tabs on their safety, but who aren’t ready to give their kids full smartphones tomsguide.com.
In terms of design, the Bounce 2 looks much less like a toy now. It sports a round AMOLED screen (1.2-inch diameter) with vibrant colors, set in a slim casing that’s water-resistant for swimming streetinsider.com. It’s offered in three fun colors – a bright turquoise (teal), a pastel purple, and a dark slate/black – to appeal to kids’ tastes streetinsider.com. The watch has a comfortable, durable band for everyday wear. Garmin also added a second side button (for a total of two) in addition to the touch display, making it easier for kids to navigate menus and even type out texts on the watch’s small screen streetinsider.com. Overall, the Bounce 2’s sleeker, rounded build could even pass for an adult fitness watch at first glance, a notable shift from the squarish, chunky first-gen model werindia.com.
From a features standpoint, Bounce 2 packs a lot into a kid-friendly device. Via its built-in LTE, the watch enables two-way phone calls so kids can talk to their parents or approved contacts right from their wrist streetinsider.com. This addresses a limitation of the original Bounce, which did not support voice calls werindia.com. Parents can also send text messages to the watch through the Garmin Jr. smartphone app, and kids can reply or compose texts on the Bounce 2 using an on-screen keyboard streetinsider.com. For younger ones who aren’t ready to type, voice messages can be sent back and forth; notably, Bounce 2 will even transcribe incoming voice messages into text so a parent can discreetly read a child’s voice message if listening isn’t convenient streetinsider.com. This array of communication tools – calls, texts, voice chats – is all restricted to a parent-controlled contact list, so kids can only communicate with family or others approved in the Garmin Jr. app (no calls or texts from strangers) safewise.com safewise.com.
The Bounce 2 also doubles as a GPS tracker and safety device. Using Garmin’s app, parents can check the child’s location in real time on a map streetinsider.com. The watch can send location pings or even let the child “check in” proactively to share where they are with a quick button press werindia.com. Garmin added a new temporary geofencing feature: parents can define a zone (like a school, neighborhood, or friend’s house) and get an alert when the watch enters or exits that area streetinsider.com wareable.com. This helps parents ensure the child is staying within safe boundaries or sticking to their schedule. There’s also an SOS/assistance feature: the Bounce 2 can send an emergency alert to parents if the child needs help tulsakids.com. (Garmin’s press materials didn’t detail this, but a built-in Assistance alert like on Garmin’s adult watches is implied by parent reports tulsakids.com.) Altogether, these tracking and safety capabilities give parents peace of mind akin to a dedicated GPS tracker, with the convenience of being on the kid’s wrist.
On the flip side, Garmin wanted the Bounce 2 to be fun and useful for kids, not just a surveillance tool. In that spirit, the watch includes a variety of apps and functions to engage children. It has fitness tracking and sports apps modeled after Garmin’s adult fitness watches streetinsider.com. Kids can track activities like running, walking, cycling, jumping rope, even pickleball streetinsider.com. The watch rewards active minutes and can even give virtual badges or points for hitting goals or completing chores, fostering healthy habits through gamification tulsakids.com. For entertainment, Bounce 2 comes with some educational games and quizzes (one parent noted their child enjoyed math games and fun facts on it tulsakids.com). The AMOLED screen allows for cute animated watch faces and themes, letting kids customize the look of their watch with cartoon avatars or graphics streetinsider.com. One standout new feature is Amazon Music integration: if the family has Amazon Prime or Music Unlimited, parents can load songs onto the Bounce 2 so the child can listen to music on the go – either out loud on the watch’s speaker or via Bluetooth headphones streetinsider.com tomsguide.com. This essentially gives kids a tiny music player on their wrist (with parental control over the content). Plus, with the voice command feature, a child can simply say “Call Mom” or “Start a timer,” and the Bounce 2 will obey without digging through menus streetinsider.com. That’s both a convenience and a bit of fun, as kids get a taste of voice assistant capabilities in a safe, limited way.
In terms of battery and technical specs, the Bounce 2’s battery is rated for two days of use on a charge streetinsider.com. That assumes moderate use; heavy use of LTE calling or GPS could shorten it, but still, two days is an improvement over many full-fledged smartwatches. (For perspective, the new Apple Watch SE 3 is rated around 18–24 hours, so Bounce 2 outlasts it on paper tomsguide.com.) The charging is likely via a proprietary Garmin cable. The watch has enough onboard storage to hold music downloads (Garmin hasn’t specified capacity, but just enough for some songs/playlists). Durability-wise, it’s built to handle kid life: water-resistant for swimming (Garmin calls it “swim-friendly,” likely at least 5 ATM or similar) streetinsider.com, with a robust strap and Gorilla Glass or similar protecting the display. Garmin has plenty of experience making rugged wearables, so one can expect Bounce 2 to survive drops, mud, and whatever kids throw at it.
Finally, cost and service: The Bounce 2 is undeniably a premium-priced kids’ gadget. The watch itself is $300 (USD), and on top of that you need a Garmin subscription plan for connectivity at $9.99 per month (or $99/year) streetinsider.com werindia.com. That subscription covers the LTE data and the use of Garmin’s network and services (since the watch doesn’t piggyback on a parent’s phone plan – Garmin manages the connectivity via agreements with carriers). There’s no contract required, and setup is done through Garmin’s app. Garmin’s Bounce subscription was $10/month even for the original model, so that hasn’t changed safewise.com. The high upfront price is what raised some eyebrows in the tech community, given that the original Bounce launched at $149.99 in 2022. By doubling the price, Garmin clearly is aiming at the upper end of the market – betting that parents will pay more for a device that combines safety, communication, and health features in one. It’s worth noting that $300 is even pricier than an Apple Watch SE (which starts around $249) werindia.com, highlighting Garmin’s confidence in the Bounce 2’s value proposition. We’ll explore in a later section how it compares to other kid wearables, but suffice to say, Bounce 2 enters the market as one of the most expensive kids’ smartwatches available.
Expert Commentary and Quotes
Industry experts and reviewers have been quick to weigh in on the Garmin Bounce 2 – praising its feature set but also questioning its high price. Garmin itself is positioning the Bounce 2 as a solution for parents on the fence about giving their child a smartphone. “We are thrilled to introduce Bounce 2, a smartwatch for kids offering the perfect solution for families facing the decision to give their child a smartphone,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin’s Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing. She emphasized the device’s new look and parental benefits, saying “The watch’s transformed design has a stylish look kids will want to wear, while the connectivity features give parents peace of mind knowing where their kids are 24/7.” In Garmin’s view, the Bounce 2 strikes a balance between kids’ desire for a cool gadget and parents’ need for safety and oversight. By delaying the need for a full phone, it lets kids be independent “without the smartphone” for a while longer youtube.com.
Tech reviewers, however, have pointed out that Bounce 2’s steep cost may be hard to swallow, especially when compared to alternatives. In an Engadget review, the very first takeaway was “the big headline is the exorbitant price.” Garmin is charging double what the original Bounce cost, and “$300 is $50 more than an Apple Watch SE”, as Engadget noted, calling the Bounce 2 a premium that’s tough to justify werindia.com. The Verge’s coverage struck a similar tone, saying the Bounce 2 “doubles the price, not the features” of its predecessor theverge.com. While that’s a bit of a hot take (Bounce 2 does add notable features like calling and music), the point is that the device’s core promise – tracking and communication for kid safety – was already largely met by the original Bounce and competing watches at lower prices. “It looks less like a kids’ watch now, but the limited upgrades may not be enough to justify a price jump from $149.99 to $299.99,” wrote The Verge’s reviewer theverge.com. Early impressions from the tech press often highlight this contrast: Garmin has unquestionably made a better kids smartwatch with Bounce 2, but is it twice as good as before?
Some analysts see a strategic play here. Garmin is known as a premium brand in wearables, and by “premium-izing” its kids’ offering, it may be aiming for a more affluent niche of parents willing to spend for quality. Market watcher Julian West noted that Garmin maintains nearly 29% of the premium smartwatch market and has seen consumers pay for high-end devices like the $500 Venu 4, suggesting that “consumers are willing to pay a premium for advanced health insights and seamless connectivity.” ainvest.com In that light, the Bounce 2’s pricing aligns with Garmin’s broader strategy to protect its market share by not competing on price but on features and brand trust. However, even West acknowledges that critics argue the Bounce 2’s price point may deter budget-conscious parents – yet he counters that this overlooks broader market trends of people investing more in wearables for their families ainvest.com. In other words, there is a bet that a subset of parents will splurge on a top-of-the-line kids’ smartwatch like they might on a premium baby monitor or stroller.
Reviewers have also praised some of the Bounce 2’s unique features. The addition of Amazon Music got nods as a differentiator – few kids’ wearables let you play music directly on the device tomsguide.com. The voice command feature is another standout, making the Bounce 2 feel more grown-up and tech-savvy than simpler kid trackers. And Garmin’s strength in fitness tracking shines through: “No other kids smartwatch differentiates so many activities—most simply track steps,” noted one safety tech reviewer about the original Bounce’s fitness features safewise.com. The Bounce 2 continues that legacy with a robust suite of sports modes, appealing to “active and adventurous kids.” safewise.com This could be a selling point for families who value exercise – the Bounce 2 might motivate kids to run around more by making a game of it.
On the other hand, some limitations have been pointed out. For instance, Bounce 2 does not have a camera, whereas a few competing kids’ smartwatches (like the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 or TickTalk 5) include cameras for video calls or photos. That means no video calling on the Bounce 2 – it’s voice-only. Garmin likely omitted a camera to prioritize battery life and privacy, but it’s a trade-off to be aware of. Also, all of Bounce 2’s connectivity relies on Garmin’s own service; it won’t work without the monthly plan werindia.com. This is similar to how the original worked, but it means there’s an ongoing cost of ownership. Some parents might prefer a device that can at least function in basic ways (like offline step counting or games) without a subscription – Bounce 2 does still track activity without LTE, but features like messaging, live tracking, and music download require that Garmin plan werindia.com. These caveats aside, the consensus in early reviews is that Garmin executed well on the Bounce 2’s functionality: it does what it promises, and does it in a more polished way than the first-gen watch.
How Does the Bounce 2 Compare to Other Kids’ Smartwatches?
Bounce 2 enters a growing yet still niche market of kid-focused smartwatches with GPS and cellular. Its competition ranges from big-tech alternatives like Apple’s entry-level watches (used in Family Setup for kids) to dedicated kid-tech brands like Verizon’s Gizmo series, the TickTalk, and others. Here we compare the Garmin Bounce 2 with some comparable devices in terms of price, features, and pros/cons:
| Device | Price (Device + Service) | Key Features | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Bounce 2 | $299.99 + $9.99/mo (Garmin) | – Calls & Texts: Two-way calling; voice and text messaging with transcription streetinsider.com streetinsider.com. – GPS Tracking: Real-time location via Garmin Jr. app; geofence zone alerts streetinsider.com. – Fitness & Games: Tracks many sports (run, bike, swim, etc.), rewards and games for chores/education tulsakids.com. – Other: 1.2” AMOLED touchscreen; Amazon Music playback; voice commands; water-resistant streetinsider.com streetinsider.com. | – Feature-Rich: Combines fitness, safety, comms, and music in one device. – Premium Build: Durable, swim-proof, bright display; Garmin’s reliable ecosystem. – Parental Controls: Strong app control over contacts and tracking; no open internet access (safer for kids). | – Very Expensive: Highest upfront cost in class werindia.com. – No Video or Camera: Lacks camera for photos or video calls (voice only). – Subscription Required: All comms/GPS functions need $10/mo plan werindia.com; adds long-term cost. |
| Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 | $149.99 + ~$10/mo (Verizon) | – Calls & Messages: Two-way calling to parent-approved contacts; preset text messages and voice notes (no full keyboard). – GPS Locator: Location tracking and geofencing via Verizon GizmoHub app. – Other: 1.4” color touchscreen; Camera on standard model for photos & video calls; step counter; IP68 water resistant. | – Affordable: Relatively low device cost (often discounts) safewise.com; $10/mo Verizon plan is straightforward safewise.com. – Easy to Use: Kid-friendly interface; simple app for parents; reliable Verizon network coverage. – Video Call Option: Gizmo 3 includes a camera, enabling video calling with trusted contacts (a rarity in kids’ wearables). | – Verizon-Only: Requires Verizon service – not usable on other carriers or internationally. – Limited Apps: Basic functionality (no music, no advanced games or fitness tracking beyond step count). – Activation Fees: Verizon charges a ~$35–40 activation fee and uses financing unless paid outright safewise.com safewise.com. |
| TickTalk 5 (Unlocked) | $189.99 + ~$10-15/mo (various) | – Calls & Video: Two-way voice and video calling; messaging with text, voice, photos, and emojis. – GPS & SOS: Real-time tracking, safe zones, and an SOS button that can call 911 directly safewise.com. – Other: Large 1.5” touchscreen; dual cameras; Wi-Fi support; step tracking; no games (focus on communication). | – Rich Communication: Standout for video calls and multimedia messaging – kids can see and send short videos/photos to parents safewise.com safewise.com. – Safe & Flexible: Works with multiple carriers (often comes with a SIM); has an SOS call feature to reach emergency services safewise.com. – Parental Controls: Robust app with schedule mode, approved contacts, do-not-disturb times, etc. | – Bulky Build: Larger and thicker on a child’s wrist; not as sleek or “cool” looking as Bounce 2 or Apple’s watches. – Battery Life: Heavier use (especially video) drains battery faster – often needs daily charging safewise.com. – No Games/Fitness: Lacks dedicated fitness apps or fun games; primarily a communication tool (could be a con or pro depending on needs). |
| Apple Watch SE (Family Setup) | $249+ + ~$10/mo (carrier) | – Calls & Texts: Full phone capabilities when set up for a kid (calls, iMessage, walkie-talkie). – GPS & Health: Precise GPS tracking via Find My; heart rate and activity rings for fitness. – Other: High-res OLED display; huge app ecosystem (no specific kid games, but many apps available); waterproof to 50m. | – Advanced Features: Most technologically advanced option – fitness sensors, Siri voice assistant, vast apps, etc. – Long-Term Utility: Grows with the child; not quickly outgrown as it can run new apps/features over time. – Family Integration: Works with iPhone parental controls (Screen Time, shared contacts); seamless in Apple ecosystem. | – Requires iPhone: A parent or family member needs an iPhone to set it up and manage it. Not everyone is in Apple’s ecosystem. – Shortest Battery: Typically about 18–24 hours per charge, meaning daily charging – less forgiving than kid-specific watches wareable.com. – Not Kid-Centric: No built-in games or chore rewards; some features (like open App Store or web) may need to be restricted for safety. |
Notes: Pricing is as of late 2025. Service costs for non-Garmin devices vary by carrier or plan (some allow using prepaid SIMs). All listed devices offer core functions like GPS tracking and two-way calling, but they differ in extras (music, camera, games, etc.). Parental controls are strong on all (whitelisting contacts, disabling during school, etc.), though implementation varies by brand.
As the table shows, Garmin’s Bounce 2 stands out for its breadth of features and polished design – but at a much higher price. Devices like Verizon’s Gizmo Watch or the TickTalk 5 cover the basics (and even video chat) for roughly half the upfront cost. The Apple Watch SE represents a more general-purpose device that some parents repurpose for kids, especially older children, but it’s not as tailor-made for parental monitoring out of the box (it requires configuration and an iPhone).
The strengths of Bounce 2 are its all-in-one approach (fitness + communication + entertainment) and Garmin’s reputation for reliable tracking. For example, unlike some cheaper kids’ smartwatches that might only count steps, the Bounce can log different sports and even offer educational games – it’s both a safety gadget and a wellness gadget for the child safewise.com tulsakids.com. The new features like voice commands and music downloads are relatively unique in this segment, potentially giving kids more engaging things to do with the watch (which might keep them interested in wearing it). Garmin also benefits from a robust support app (Garmin Jr.) and its experience in wearables – the location accuracy and build quality are expected to be top-notch.
The trade-offs, of course, are cost and some missing features like a camera. A parent might ask: would my child be just as happy (and safe) with a $150 Gizmo or Gabb Watch? If the main goal is basic calling and GPS tracking, those cheaper options do deliver. Bounce 2 is banking on parents wanting the best for their kids – the nicest screen, the most features – similar to how some families buy high-end strollers or premium educational toys. For tech-centric families or those already in Garmin’s ecosystem, Bounce 2 could be attractive. On the other hand, for a 7-year-old who might scratch or lose the device, a $300 watch might be hard to justify when alternatives exist.
It’s also worth noting the ecosystem lock-in: Bounce 2’s monthly plan is independent (it doesn’t tie into a family cellular plan), whereas something like an Apple Watch SE would just be an add-on line to your carrier, and a Gizmo is tied to Verizon’s network. Garmin’s approach could be convenient (no carrier hassle, just activate in Garmin app), but if Garmin ever discontinued the service, the device would lose much of its functionality. The flip side is Garmin’s plan works even if you switch your phone carrier or are abroad (assuming Garmin has roaming agreements), giving a bit more flexibility than carrier-locked watches.
Privacy and Safety: The Ongoing Debates
Any gadget that tracks a child’s location or enables communication comes with privacy considerations – and the Bounce 2 is no exception. On one hand, devices like this are explicitly designed for safety, allowing parents to know where their kids are and who they’re talking to at all times. On the other hand, they inevitably collect sensitive data about children (location history, messages) and raise questions about surveillance and consent.
Garmin has taken steps to reassure users on privacy. The company has stated that it does not sell user data and doesn’t share personal info with third parties for advertising without consent mozillafoundation.org. All communications are managed through Garmin’s own secure app and servers. The Bounce 2’s closed ecosystem (no third-party apps or open internet access) is actually a privacy plus – it greatly reduces the risk of strangers contacting the child or the child accessing unsafe online content. Parents control the contact list and can monitor the messages if needed. In essence, Bounce 2 is a controlled communication device, unlike a smartphone that could expose kids to the wilds of social media or open web.
However, privacy advocates note that GPS trackers on kids can be double-edged. There have been instances with other brands where security vulnerabilities were found in kids’ smartwatches, theoretically allowing unauthorized access. (For example, earlier this decade some cheap kids’ watches were banned in Germany after researchers found they could be hacked remotely.) Garmin’s devices have a strong security track record, but users should still use strong passwords and keep the app updated. One concern raised in Garmin’s own forums was the nuance of location sharing with family members – some parents wanted a way for the child to contact extended family without necessarily giving those family members full access to live tracking forums.garmin.com. Striking the right balance between keeping family in the loop and not oversharing the child’s whereabouts is something each family will have to manage via the app settings.
The broader parental monitoring debate asks: Just because we can track our kids 24/7, should we? Proponents argue that devices like Bounce 2 are essentially modern safety tools, akin to giving a child a phone to call home if needed. In an increasingly dangerous world, they say, it’s reassuring to know your child’s bus made it to school, or to be able to quickly call them if plans change. The watch can also teach kids responsibility – they learn to check in, to manage a device, and to communicate in short messages.
Critics, including some child development experts, caution that constant monitoring can encroach on a child’s privacy and independence. If a child feels that “Mom is always watching,” it could undermine their sense of autonomy. There’s also the risk of over-reliance – both by parents and kids – on the device as a safety net. For example, a child might take more risks, thinking “if something happens, I’ll just press my SOS button,” or a parent might be tempted to check the GPS too frequently instead of gradually trusting their kid. Open dialogue and setting boundaries are important; many suggest using these gadgets as an “aid, not a substitute” for parenting. The TulsaKids magazine, in discussing the original Bounce, noted how families must navigate screen time boundaries and privacy conversations even with a simple device like this tulsakids.com tulsakids.com. A smartwatch might seem harmless, but it introduces a child to the concept of being connected – which later leads to phones, social media, and so on. Therefore, parents should discuss why the device is being used (“for safety and to stay in touch”) and perhaps assure the child that it’s not because they don’t trust them, but because they want a way to help if needed.
Another aspect is data privacy law. Devices collecting info on children under 13 fall under regulations like COPPA in the US. Garmin likely has to comply by obtaining parental consent for the account setup (which they do when a parent creates the child’s profile in the Garmin Jr. app). As always, it’s wise for parents to read the privacy policy. The Mozilla Foundation, which reviews privacy of products, gave the original Garmin Bounce a check, noting Garmin’s clarity about data use (they don’t use personal data for ads without consent) mozillafoundation.org.
Lastly, it’s worth considering longevity and e-waste. Kids outgrow gadgets, and a smartwatch may only be useful for a few years until the child is ready for a smartphone. Garmin’s build quality means the device should physically last, but once it’s not needed, it’s another gadget that might sit in a drawer. Some parents thus opt for cheaper devices thinking they’re more “disposable” after a couple of years. Garmin might counter that by reselling or handing down the Bounce 2 to a younger sibling, you can maximize its life. It’s an angle not often discussed in press releases, but part of responsible tech parenting is also considering how each new device fits into the bigger picture of family tech use.
Bigger Picture: Kids’ Tech Trends and Market Outlook
The Garmin Bounce 2 arrives at a time when the kids’ wearable market is poised for significant growth. Parents’ interest in high-tech parenting tools has surged in recent years, and companies are taking note. According to market research, the global kids’ smartwatch market is projected to grow about 15.6% annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching an estimated $28.3 billion by 2030 ainvest.com. This growth is fueled by the exact features Bounce 2 offers: real-time safety tracking, LTE connectivity, SOS features, and the desire to promote healthy habits via fitness tracking for kids ainvest.com. In essence, Garmin is tapping into a burgeoning “connected kid” trend, where wearables and gadgets are adapted to child-friendly forms.
However, until recently, the big tech brands had been cautious about the kids’ space. Garmin’s original Bounce (in 2022) was one of the first from a major wearables maker. Apple and Google haven’t made kid-specific watches per se – instead, Apple markets the Apple Watch SE (and older models) as suitable for kids when used with their Family Setup (which allows an Apple Watch to be managed by a parent’s iPhone for a child user) wareable.com. Google’s Fitbit arm released the Fitbit Ace series for kids, but those are just basic fitness bands with no cellular capability wareable.com. As Wareable’s Conor Allison observed, dedicated, connected smartwatches for a younger audience remain rare from major brands wareable.com. This left a gap that smaller companies like TickTalk, Xplora, and carrier-branded watches filled. Garmin, by upgrading Bounce to the Bounce 2, is doubling down on this niche and possibly trying to establish itself as the leader in premium kids’ wearables wareable.com.
Garmin’s strategy also reflects a broader trend of “teching up” childhood in a (hopefully) controlled way. Devices like Bounce 2 acknowledge that completely delaying technology use may not be realistic, so instead they offer a safer, more limited form of technology for kids. This parallels the rise of things like smart speakers for kids, tablets with parental controls, and even kid-friendly VR – all attempts to give children the benefits of tech without the open exposure of adult devices. There’s a fine line to walk: a product must be engaging enough that kids will use it (so that the safety features are actually in effect), yet not too open-ended to cause harm. Garmin seems to be consciously adding features like games, music, and fun watch faces to ensure kids want to wear the Bounce 2 (after all, a safety watch sitting on the dresser helps no one). As one parent reviewer put it, the smartwatch can be a “happy medium between an AirTag and an iPhone” – providing connectivity and engagement, while keeping the full smartphone world at bay a bit longer tulsakids.com.
From a business perspective, Garmin expanding into family products could be significant. The company is traditionally known for adult fitness watches, GPS devices for sport and outdoors, and so on. By capturing the younger demographic, Garmin could build brand loyalty early. A child who grows up with a Bounce might later upgrade to a Garmin Vivofit or Venu as a teen or adult. Also, the recurring revenue model of the LTE subscription aligns with where many tech companies are headed (services revenue). Each Bounce 2 sold isn’t just a one-time sale; it likely comes with years of $9.99 monthly payments, which is attractive for Garmin’s financials ainvest.com werindia.com. In fact, analysts have noted that Garmin’s push into such new segments supports its long-term profitability goals, complementing its strong hardware sales with subscription income ainvest.com.
It’s interesting that Bounce 2 launched the same day as Garmin’s new high-end Venu 4 fitness smartwatch (aimed at adults) and a refreshed Instinct Crossover model wareable.com. This shows Garmin sees the kids’ watch as part of its core lineup, not just a side experiment. The Bounce 2 got a lot of press attention on launch, even in mainstream outlets like Forbes and Engadget, indicating a recognition that child safety tech is a hot topic. It also launched just after Apple’s fall announcements, where Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. Notably, Apple’s Watch SE 3 (2025) added features like 5G connectivity and an always-on display, and Apple kept its price around $249 tomsguide.com. By releasing Bounce 2 at $300, Garmin is almost challenging the notion that an Apple Watch is the best choice for older kids/teens. Garmin seems to be saying: “If you truly care about kid-specific features and safety, our product is tailored for that in a way Apple’s general-purpose watch isn’t.” For example, an Apple Watch has no built-in geofencing alerts for parents – you’d rely on third-party apps or Find My. Garmin’s Bounce has that baked in streetinsider.com. Such differences could sway some parents, especially those who aren’t already tied to Apple’s ecosystem or those with younger kids who want a simpler solution.
Looking at trends in child safety tech, we also see increasing discussion around what the “right age” is for certain devices. Smartphones, in particular, are often delayed until middle school or later by cautious parents. Products like Bounce 2 are explicitly marketing themselves as tools to “delay the smartphone” decision streetinsider.com. This resonates with many families’ desires. If Bounce 2 and its competitors are successful, it could become as common for a grade-schooler to have a safety smartwatch as it is for a teenager to have a phone. Already, we see schools and camps coming up with policies about smartwatches, similar to phone policies. There’s also a burgeoning market for kid-friendly wireless plans (e.g., Verizon’s Gizmo plan, or alternative carriers like Gabb Wireless) that cater to this trend. In 2025 and beyond, we can expect even more entrants – perhaps Samsung or other Android makers might create kid editions of their wearables, or more startups will innovate in this space.
Latest News and What’s Next for Bounce 2
As of now (Fall 2025), the Garmin Bounce 2 is fresh on the market. Early news coverage, such as the Forbes article by Andrew Williams on launch day, highlighted the watch’s promise to let parents “keep track of their kids, for a price” forbes.com. The initial buzz is a mix of excitement over the new capabilities and sticker shock at the cost. Garmin has the Bounce 2 available for purchase immediately in the US and likely in other markets through its online store and retailers streetinsider.com. The three color options (purple, teal, gray) are all in stock, and Garmin is offering the monthly service directly on their site (with a discount if you pay $100 for a year up front). There hasn’t been an official word on how well it’s selling yet, but Garmin typically reports on new product reception in its quarterly earnings calls. Investors are certainly watching this launch, as it represents Garmin expanding its addressable market.
In reviews and user forums emerging in the weeks after launch, some additional tidbits are coming out. Users have confirmed that Bounce 2’s battery indeed lasts around 2 days with normal use – not bad, though heavy use of live tracking or lots of voice calls can bring it closer to one full day. The Garmin Jr. app has been updated to support all the new features (like typing out texts to the watch and geofences). Anecdotally, parents appreciate the “School Mode” (carryover from Bounce 1) which lets them disable games or distractions during school hours tulsakids.com. That means the child can wear it to school without it becoming a toy in class, while still allowing them to send/receive urgent messages or simply record steps. Little quality-of-life improvements are noted too: for example, the voice message transcription feature has been praised – if a parent is in a meeting and their kid sends a voice message from the Bounce, the parent can read it as text, which is a thoughtful touch streetinsider.com.
One current update on Bounce 2 is its integration with Garmin’s broader ecosystem. Garmin has quietly enabled Bounce 2 to connect with their Connect IQ platform, which means potentially more watch faces or mini-apps could be added down the line (though Garmin likely will keep tight control since it’s a kid device). Also, Garmin has been working on a Connect+ subscription for premium features on their devices (per recent news from Forbes about future Garmin features going behind a paywall) forbes.com. It’s unclear if any Bounce features would ever fall under that, but something to watch in the future (for now, the $9.99 plan covers everything for Bounce).
Looking ahead, the competition in 2026 and beyond might heat up. If Bounce 2 proves there’s a market for a $300 kids smartwatch, we may see Apple respond by emphasizing the Apple Watch’s family features more, or perhaps by lowering the barrier to entry for kids (maybe a kid-specific band or curated app pack). Smaller players like TickTalk are likely to continue undercutting on price or adding niche features (TickTalk might add more games, or Gabb could add a music feature, for example). Garmin might eventually consider a camera in a future Bounce 3 if video calling demand grows – though nothing of that sort is confirmed.
For now, the Garmin Bounce 2 stands as one of the most feature-packed wearables for children on the market. It exemplifies the direction of child safety tech: more connected, more capable, but also more complex in terms of decisions for parents. If you’re a parent or guardian, the Bounce 2’s arrival gives you another option in your toolkit. As one family who tried a kids’ smartwatch concluded, “The iPhone can definitely wait…for now!” tulsakids.com – and that’s exactly what Garmin is banking on. By giving kids a fun smartwatch and parents some peace of mind, devices like the Bounce 2 are carving out a new category between toy walkie-talkies of old and the full smartphone experience to come.
Sources:
- Forbes – “Garmin Bounce 2 Lets Parents Keep Track Of Their Kids, For A Price” (Sep 17, 2025) by Andrew Williams werindia.com theverge.com
- Garmin Press Release (PR Newswire) – “Parents can delay the smartphone with Bounce 2 kids smartwatch from Garmin” (Sep 17, 2025) streetinsider.com
- Tom’s Guide – “Garmin launches Bounce 2 — new smartwatch for kids with LTE…” (Sep 17, 2025) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com
- Engadget – “Garmin’s new smartwatch for kids costs more than the Apple Watch SE” (Sep 17, 2025) werindia.com werindia.com
- Wareable – “Garmin launches Bounce 2 kids smartwatch with LTE and Amazon Music support” (Sep 17, 2025) wareable.com wareable.com
- SafeWise – “Best Kids Smartwatches 2025” – testing and comparison of kids’ smartwatches safewise.com safewise.com
- TulsaKids Magazine – “Why we chose the Garmin Bounce” (Mar 2024) – a parent’s perspective on using the original Bounce tulsakids.com tulsakids.com
- Consumer Reports – “Best Smartwatch for Your Kid” (2025) – discussion of data collection in kids’ wearables consumerreports.org.
