A child’s first watch – how to choose

A child’s first watch should be easy to read, light, durable and something the child likes. A watch in a favourite colour or featuring a favourite character encourages a child to wear it and learn to tell the time faster. In this guide, we discuss when to buy a watch, whether to choose analogue or digital, and what to consider regarding the strap and durability.

When is the right time?

There is no fixed age. Many families buy a first watch when the child starts learning to tell the time, often at around 5–7 years old. A good sign is when the child asks what time it is or wants to know how long until dinner. A watch is practical for a schoolchild, helping them know when break ends or when to leave for sports practice.

The first watch need not be expensive. A child’s watch may be dropped, left in the changing room or scratched in the playground. Choose a simple, sturdy watch first, then a larger, more grown-up model once the child is used to wearing one.

Analogue or digital?

For learning to tell the time, we recommend starting with an analogue watch. It lets a child see time passing and, for example, how much of an hour remains. Digits are easy to read on a digital watch, but they do not teach what ‘quarter past’ or ‘half past two’ means.

Some Tikkers models have a ‘time teacher’ dial. It has ‘quarter past’, ‘half past’ and ‘quarter to’ beside the numbers 3, 6 and 9 respectively, with a two-colour rim to show where ‘past’ and ‘to’ apply. The labels are in English, so their meaning needs to be explained to the child in Estonian. The product photo shows whether a particular model has this dial.

Once a child can read an analogue watch, their next watch can be digital. Read more about the difference between analogue and digital watches in the article what is an analogue watch.

What to look for on the dial

• All 12 numerals. Learning is easier when all the hour numbers are visible, rather than just marks.
• Clear hands. The hour and minute hands should be visibly different lengths and easy to see.
• Minute markers. Minute markers around the dial make it easier to understand that there are five minutes between adjacent hour numbers.
• The character must not cover the numbers. A cartoon character is fun, but the watch must remain readable.

A good example is Frozen FZN9505 (32 mm, analogue). Other characters include Sonic the Hedgehog SNC9038 (33 mm, analogue), Spider-Man and Paw Patrol.

Strap and size

A small case suits a child’s wrist, such as the Tikkers TK0155 (25 mm), TK0139 (29 mm) and Tikkers TK0190 (32 mm).

A soft silicone or resin strap works best. It is comfortable, handles water well and is easy to wash clean. Check that the strap adjusts to the child’s current wrist circumference and leaves room for growth. For a younger child, a simple buckle is better than a complicated metal bracelet they cannot fasten themselves.

Durability and water

Children wash their hands, run in the rain and sometimes forget to take a watch off before entering a pool. Check the water resistance on the product page before buying. For example, the Disney D429SME has 3 ATM water resistance, withstanding splashes and rain but not suitable for swimming.

According to Casio manuals, a watch marked only ‘Water Resist’ withstands handwashing and rain, but swimming requires at least 5 bar. If the child swims, choose a watch whose manual permits swimming, or teach them to take it off before entering the pool. Read more in the article watch water resistance.

For older children: Casio digital watches

A simple Casio digital watch suits a schoolchild who can already read an analogue watch. These are small and look like adult watches, which appeals to many school-age children.

• Casio Vintage A158WEM-7EF has a mesh bracelet whose length can be adjusted using the clasp. The backlight helps in the dark.
• Casio LA680WEA-1EF is even smaller, with a case measuring around 34 × 29 mm. Suitable for a slim wrist.
• The Minecraft MIN4097ARG (35 mm) is a digital children’s watch for fans of the game.

A smaller G-Shock may suit a teenager who plays a lot of sports, for example G-Shock GMA-S2100BA-4AER. According to Casio, it is shock-resistant with 200 m water resistance, and the strap fits wrists measuring 140–205 mm.

Making the watch part of everyday life

A watch does not teach by itself. A few simple habits help:

• Link times to regular daily activities: ‘when the small hand points to eight and the big hand to twelve, it is breakfast time’.
• Ask the child what time it is during the day, and praise correct answers.
• Start with full hours and half hours; quarter hours and minutes can come later.
• Put the watch on at the same time every morning, for example after brushing teeth, so it is not left at home.

As a gift

A watch in the child’s favourite colour or featuring their favourite character brings the most enjoyment. Sets also make good gifts, such as the Tikkers ATK1031 gift set or the Tikkers x WWF Penguin set. After opening the gift, set the watch together and practise the first times: ‘it is exactly three o’clock’, ‘half past three’.

All watches come with a 14-day right of return (return postage is paid by the buyer) and a 2-year warranty. Browse the full range: children’s watches.