Tinitell Kids’ Wrist Phone Review: Keeping Track of Kids on Vacation

The Tinitell is a watch-like phone for kids. The Tinitell can store up to 12 numbers for easy calling and has GPS-location tracking.

Tinitell Review

Price and Where to Buy Tinitell: Tinitell is $149 on Tinitell.com.

How the Tinitell Rates

• Usefulness: 8/10. While my initial set-up experience wasn’t quite as easy as it was advertised, it was relatively painless with a bit of customer service help. There aren’t many buttons, so teaching my kid to use it took only a few short sessions. The phone felt a little bulky for my five-year-old, but it fit snugly and he got used to it within a half hour. Tinitell offers an interesting value proposition for traveling families—I like that it gives kids a tool and a specific set of actions to take if they get lost in an unfamiliar place. We worked it into our safety plan when we went to a crowded attraction; he knew that if we got separated, all he had to do was press the button and call me and we could find each other.
• Value: 8/10. The Tinitell is both cheaper and harder to lose than a traditional mobile phone. Since it’s designed just for phone calls, you’re not handing over screens and data plans to your kids before they—and you—are ready for it. If you’re looking to use it mostly for travel, you’ll need to factor in the monthly fee ($10 at its most basic) for the 2G plan.
• Portability: 8/10. Since it’s wearable, it’s hands free. But it can feel a bit bulky, especially on the wrists of kids younger than 6.
• Durability: 9/10. The Tinitell is made of a tough but kid-friendly plastic, and is water and dirt-resistant. It’s not, however, entirely waterproof.
• Cool Factor: 10/10. Unsurprisingly, every kid I showed it to thought it was amazing to talk into their wrists. And to have phone access.

Final Verdict: The Tinitell can be a powerful tool for parents and caregivers who want to give kids the ability to call a select set of family and friends without handing over an actual screen. And it’s a handy tool to add to a family’s travel safety plan, especially in crowded places where it’s easy for kids and adults to get separated.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.