Unboxing
The Kurio Watch is packaged securely but is easy to get opened and ready for use. It comes with a set of instructions and a USB charger without the wall adapter. You can charge though using a regular cell phone wall adapter or a computer USB port.
The Playtime Experience
After charging for a couple of hours I was able to turn my Kurio Watch on and get started in the setup. The setup walks you through inputting your name, date of birth, the time…etc. All the standard things you would usually find in a device setup. However, it also has a section for ICE or ‘In Case of Emergency” information. I expected this to be nothing more than an emergency contact section but was pleasantly surprised to find that you could input blood type, medical allergies, medical directives and any personal history as part of this section of the watch. Once that information is input, it can be found again using the ICE icon on the watch face. Other apps on the device include games, a camera, texting, and more. My only issue with the watch is that it used a T9 system for the keyboard and is so incredibly tiny I wasn’t able to type accurately. Though someone with tiny, child-sized fingers may have more luck.
Things I Liked
My favorite things about this watch is the sleek design and the ICE section. The design looks very “adult” and doesn’t look like a child’s smart watch which I know kids always appreciate. And the ICE section is great for bring peace of mind to any parent.
Things I Didn't Like
I really don’t like that the keyboard is so difficult to use. It really frustrated me that I couldn’t accurately type and spent more time correcting texting mistakes than doing anything else.
Appropriate Ages
This smart watch is recommended for children 4 and older. I think that some of the more advanced features like the texting will likely only be fully appreciated or needed at that older age. However, there is a camera, the ICE and games that can be appropriate for more ages.
Final Note
I actually really like the Kurio Watch. Although there were some drawbacks with the keyboard, I have a feeling that a child’s fingers would do better than my did. And the cool design coupled with a reasonable price makes this a good buy!
(You may also like: 40 Best Toys for 4 Year Olds)