These days, watches can do almost anything, from tracking your steps to playing games. But what about good old-fashioned watches that just told the time? Analog watches aren’t as full of tricks as smartwatches, but when your kid isn’t ready for a smartwatch, the old-fashioned way can be just as cool.
They’re a lot of fun too, especially with some of the designs that are available now, so whether you’re buying for a Mickey Mouse fan or a Pokemon trainer, there’s an analog watch out there that any kid would want on their arm. There are even slap watches, which are fun and simple to put on, as well as lots of waterproof options for kids who are always in and out of the water.
Of course, while analog watches are normally very reliable and have a great battery life compared to digital ones, you still need one that you can rely on. So we’ve ruled out all the fake online reviews and have picked out only the 12 very best kids analog watches for 2021.
1Disney Kids' MK1242 Mickey Mouse Analog (Best Budget Option)
This is a very trendy and stylish take on the traditional Mickey Mouse watch, featuring Mickey himself on the dial face striking a very confident pose. The internal mechanism is quartz with a metal casing, which requires batteries that are included. You can be sure it will keep good time, even though it is a toy.
The band of the watch appears at first glance to resemble rugged steel, but it is actually made from soft gray rubber and closes with a buckle. Any child that is a fan of Mickey Mouse and desires a fashionable watch will love this one, recommended by the manufacturers for children six years and up.
What we love
- The hour and minute markers are labeled and a great addition for learning to tell time
- It comes in a metal presentation box with Mickey or Minnie on the top
What We Don't Like That Much
- We wish this watch was water-resistant in the case of accidental splashes
2Flik Flak Kids' Funny Hours Quartz (Best Quality Option)
For dinosaur-loving kids, this is a dream watch with dinos from the Jurassic period walking all over the strong, non-toxic, BPA-free polyester strap. Swiss-made, this watch is extremely accurate, is machine washable, and it is water-resistant up to 100 feet. Considered an excellent first watch designed to teach telling time while also being very attractive, the face of this watch features markings for every minute and the hands are cute cartoon characters.
This fantastic watch that intuitively helps children learn to tell time requires one CR2 battery that is included. The case is made from plastic, and the strap is bedecked with cute characters, closing with a buckle.
What we love
- The design features contrasting colors to make it easy to read
- Shock resistance is a great feature for a child’s watch as it may be dropped often
What We Don't Like That Much
- We wish the plastic hook on the strap were metal, to add an extra authentic touch
3Timex Time Machines Analog
With the brilliant pink color, this watch is covered with rainbows and unicorns! The hands are labeled hours and minutes to make it easy to learn telling time, and the strap has a width of .62 inches and will fit even the smallest wrist. It is recommended for children four years and up.
Each minute is marked on the dial, and it has a tiny unicorn rotating as a second hand. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 feet, helping guard against any accidental splashes. The case is made of resin with a diameter of 1.10 inches and contains a buckle clasp.
What we love
- The flexible fabric band is a real plus because it is not only comfortable to wear, but it also will fit as the child grows
- The color of the numbers corresponding to the color of the arms make the dial easy for teaching telling time
What We Don't Like That Much
- We wish the minutes counted up from 0-60, which would mimic adult watches
4Kids Watch Analog Waterproof Watches
This is a quartz movement children’s watch that is designed like a sports watch for rugged outdoor activities. The rubber strap is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It is waterproof to 100 feet and suitable for bathing and swimming. Just make sure not to push any buttons while in the water or when the watch is still wet.
The numbers are large and show 12 and 24-hour time. It is very easy to set the time on this watch and children learn quickly how to do it themselves. The double band is extremely strong and the face window is designed to be scratch-resistant. Finally, this fantastic watch is available in three different color combinations, so your child can pick the one they like the look of!
What we love
- The stainless-steel case is shock resistant which is great for outdoor activities and when children drop it
- The brilliant green numbers and hands are easy to read on the white background. When they absorb enough light, they glow in the dark
What We Don't Like That Much
- The mechanism for setting the time causes the dials to jump, which may make it a little tricky to set the exact time first try
5SOCICO Analog Watch
Available in a variety of fantastic color combinations, this is a great watch for children learning to tell time. The numbers are color-coded and the white face is easy to read with a 12 and 24-hour day mark. The seconds are also marked, and it has a red second hand. It is waterproof up to 100 feet and will not become fogged up on rainy days or when children are washing their hands.
This watch is very light, weighing only seven ounces, and is suitable for children three years and up. The mechanism is Japanese-made quartz with a long-life battery and the band is adjustable to fit even the smallest wrist. If you’re looking to get your child a unique watch with a handful of helpful features, this watch is an excellent choice.
What we love
- The .59-inch band looks fantastic with soft and flexible non-toxic rubber
- You can even wear this watch while swimming
What We Don't Like That Much
- A background light feature would make this watch perfect for little ones telling the time at night
6Timex My First Easy Reader Quartz Analog
For the kid whose fashion accessories need to be trendy, this is the watch for them. The dial has a classic design with a pink second hand, and the numbers are large and easy to read. The strap, which closes with a buckle, is as elegant as any expensive watch.
It is made of soft pink synthetic leather and will fit a six-inch wrist. The case is made of a brushed, silver-tone alloy, and the band is about a half-inch wide. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, which is helpful for the little swimmers out there or kids who just really like hanging out in the rain. This clean-looking watch is perfect for adding some elegance to any outfit.
What we love
- With the style of a grown-up watch, this watch adds a touch of class for formal occasions
- The band of this watch is very soft and easy on sensitive skin
What We Don't Like That Much
- The dark hands are a little more difficult to read at night, so a glow in the dark feature would be helpful here
7Pokemon Analog Quartz Watch
Pokemon fans will love this quartz watch, as they can take the instantly recognizable Pikachu along for the ride wherever they go. The face has clear numbers and hands. Pikachu is running towards the wearer with a big smile from the dark blue background that makes him really stand out.
The strap at .8 inches wide is a trendy yellow and black rubber with a buckle clasp, and the case is made of metal. This watch is also water-resistant to 100 feet. Get ready to catch ‘em all with Pikachu as your child’s trusty sidekick!
What we love
- The metal box this watch comes in makes a nice presentation for a gift
- The minute indicators are located on the stylish black bezel
What We Don't Like That Much
- The length of the band is quite long, so this watch may be better for older children
8RUIWATCHWORLD Colorful Watch
With an attractive color combination of pink and turquoise, this elegant watch is suitable for boys and girls. The turquoise numbers, minutes, and hands perfectly stand out against the white background. The band is made of soft and non-toxic silica gel material, which is .79 inches wide and has a tang clasp, and the case is high-quality resin.
Internal Japanese-made quartz movement provides a consistently accurate time. It is water-resistant to 100 feet. The watch is also available in a number of other color combinations for those who would like a more uniquely personalized design. It also comes in an attractive presentation gift box.
What we love
- The silicone gel band is super comfortable and the color combination is great
- This watch is very bright and stands out nicely on any outfit
What We Don't Like That Much
- We’d love to see the feature of the current date/month added to this watch
9Venhoo Kids Watches 3D Cute Cartoon
Featuring cute cartoon dinosaurs, this is a great watch for an early learner. The background is dark blue and the numbers and minutes are white, which makes it easy to read, and the dial is also a bit larger than some other children’s watches at .11 inches. With a soft silicone strap, this watch is very comfortable to wear.
The material is certified safe for kids by international CE certification. Waterproofing protects the mechanism from rainy days and handwashing but is not suitable for bathing or swimming. There is stainless steel covering the back and the band is designed for children three to 10 years. The clear resin dial covering is tested with a high-frequency machine to be extremely hard and pressure-tolerant.
What we love
- Each dinosaur is designed by a professional for accuracy and authentic appearance
- The different colored minute and hour hands make learning to tell time much easier
What We Don't Like That Much
- We’d like to see a stronger buckle included to withstand rough usage
10EasyRead Time Teacher Analog
This beautiful watch is specifically designed to teach how to tell time with an analog timepiece, the face of the watch including all you need to learn to tell time. Just read the numbers the long and short hands are pointing to and look at the to and past sides. The minutes are numbered, so a child can say seven minutes to three or 14 minutes past one and have the time.
With a metal case and a mineral dial window, this watch is very stylish! The gray band material is also made of soft but strong nylon. The quartz mechanism also provides a consistently accurate time each and every day.
What we love
- The watch is designed to be unisex, so it’s super attractive for both boys and girls
- The clear, easy-to-read design is perfect for children starting out on their time telling journey
What We Don't Like That Much
- This watch is not waterproof, so extra care should be taken when using around water
11Watchitude Slap Watch
Slap watches are extremely popular with children of all ages! Just slap the band onto your wrist and you’re good to go. This watch comes in a vast array of styles, from classic space invaders to flames to basketball. No matter what your child likes, there’s sure to be a design for them in this collection. Regarding the watch mechanism, the white minute and hour hands stand out as do the white numbers indicating the time, and the watch also has a second hand.
This watch is waterproof, perfect for bathing and shallow water swimming up to about three feet. The silicone band is non-toxic, lead-free, and certified safe for kids by SGS. Using a quartz mechanism, this watch always gives accurate time.
What we love
- With a removable face, it is exchangeable with other Slap Watch bands, so you can try out straps of different colors and graphics
- This type of band fits all wrist sizes
What We Don't Like That Much
- Once the battery runs out, you’ll need to take this watch to a professional to change it
12TUOTISI Leather Band Fashion Watch
This is an elegant and chic watch suitable for kids who want to feel more like a grown-up! It is waterproof for washing hands, as well as being out in the rain. The black numbers and minute markings as well as the white hands stand out on the beautiful silver face and bezel, and it has a second hand. The band is made of leather and is very stylish.
The quartz mechanism has a stainless-steel back, and the battery life is estimated at about two years. The watch also comes in an attractive black box for gift presentation. There’s plenty of color combinations for the strap, so your child can choose the color that they really like.
What we love
- You also have the choice between silver or gold bezels
- The silver background of the face provides light reflection so it is easy to read at night
What We Don't Like That Much
- We wouldn’t recommend this for very young children, as this lovely watch requires a little bit of extra care
In Conclusion
Whether it’s Mickey Mouse or Pikachu staring out from the clock face of their analog watch, there are lots on this list for any kid to love. With colorful and fun designs and easy-to-read faces, they look great and help kids learn how to tell the time, even if they won’t stop them asking ‘are we there yet’ on long road trips…
Learning to tell the time is a crucial part of any kid’s development and I certainly have fond memories of the learning clock I had when I was young. Why not go the extra mile and buy this supercute talking robot Learning Resources Tock The Learning Clock?
Or if you’re buying for a kid who absolutely needs to know how many steps they’re doing in a day, here’s our list of the 8 Best Fitbits for Kids.