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# The Best Apps for a Kid's Apple Watch, and Why

A kid's Apple Watch comes almost empty. Apple installs the basics (calls, messages, Activity, a few more) and leaves the rest to you.
The catch is that many watch apps lean on an iPhone in the background. On a watch set up with Apple Watch For Your Kids (formerly Family Setup), your child has no iPhone of their own, so those apps either will not install or will not do much. Every app below either says on its listing that it runs on the watch alone, or was named by Apple for kids' watches. We left out anything we could not confirm.
Before you start: you install apps from the App Store, and with Ask to Buy on, you approve each download from your own phone ([Apple support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036)). Schooltime switches all apps off during school hours, so none of these compete with class.

jump to an app

1. [1 Kids Clock: Learn Time ↓](#app-kids-clock-learn-time)
2. [2 WatchieBesti ↓](#app-watchiebesti)
3. [3 Coloring Watch ↓](#app-coloring-watch)
4. [4 LookUp: English Dictionary ↓](#app-lookup-english-dictionary)
5. [5 Activity and Workout (Apple, built in) ↓](#app-activity-and-workout-apple-built-in)
6. [6 Air Hockey Wear ↓](#app-air-hockey-wear)
7. [7 Pixel Art: Coloring Book ↓](#app-pixel-art-coloring-book)
8. [8 Apple Cash Family (Apple, US only) ↓](#app-apple-cash-family-apple-us-only)
9. [9 Siri (Apple, built in) ↓](#app-siri-apple-built-in)

## ![](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_atschool_ginger_f01.png)The apps

### 1. Kids Clock: Learn Time

**What it does on the watch:** an analogue clock your child sets by dragging the hands. It says the time out loud ("quarter past", "half past") and shows the 24-hour time alongside.
**Why it is good for a kid:** telling the time is a skill a watch should teach, and this one makes it hands-on. It speaks English, Finnish and Russian, so it also helps a child learning one of those languages.
**Family Setup:** the listing says it "runs independently on Apple Watch, no iPhone required".
**Cost:** free, with optional in-app purchases. The listing says "no ads, no distractions, no tracking, no registration". Rated 4+. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-clock-learn-time/id6745412387)

### 2. WatchieBesti

**What it does on the watch:** WatchieBesti is a little pixel pet that lives on the watch and feels every move your child makes.
First thing in the morning it is still sleepy, waiting for the day to start. After a run around the playground at lunch it is bouncing. On a still, rainy day it gets a bit sad, and a quick dance in the kitchen is enough to cheer it up. It never scolds, and a quiet day is never a failure. There is always a way back, and the way back is moving.

![A pixel rabbit looking sad on a still day](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_sad_ginger_f01.png)A still day
![The same pixel rabbit celebrating after a dance](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_ginger_celebrate_f01.png)After a dance

Along the way there are eggs to hatch, pets to collect and dress up, and a set of [quick brain games](/brain-boost/) for a two-minute break.
**How it reads movement on a kid's watch:** it reads the Move ring. On a watch for a child under 13, Apple's Move ring counts Move minutes rather than calories ([Apple support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036)), and WatchieBesti follows whichever the watch uses. So any movement counts: a game of tag, a bike ride, a wheelchair push, a dance.
**Why it is good for a kid:** it gives them a reason to open the watch that is not a rule or a reminder. The reason to move is to make the pet happy, which tends to make them happy too.
**What you get as a parent:**

- It runs entirely on the watch. No iPhone needed, and it works on Apple Watch For Your Kids.
- No ads and no subscription.
- No account or sign-up.
- Health data stays on your child's devices. We never see it.
- Your child's first pet is free.
- Rated 4+.

**Family Setup:** built to run standalone on kids' watches. Needs watchOS 11 or later (Apple Watch Series 6, SE 2nd generation or Ultra, and newer).
**Cost:** free to download, with the first pet included. Optional one-time kingdom unlocks and legend pets are shared through Family Sharing with up to six family members. Spark packs (in-app currency) are also sold and are not shared. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)

### 3. Coloring Watch

**What it does on the watch:** colouring pages sized for the wrist. Tap a section, pick a colour, and over 200 pictures fill in one tap at a time. Finished pictures can become a watch face.
**Why it is good for a kid:** it is calm and slow, a good thing for a waiting room or a car trip.
**Family Setup:** Apple named it as an example app when it launched Family Setup for kids' watches in 2020 ([Apple Newsroom](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/09/apple-extends-the-apple-watch-experience-to-the-entire-family/)). The developer says to install it from the App Store on the watch if it does not appear.
**Cost:** $4.99, one-time. The listing says "No in-app purchases". Rated 4+. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coloring-watch/id1465582821)

### 4. LookUp: English Dictionary

**What it does on the watch:** look up a word by voice or scribble and get a short definition on the wrist.
**Why it is good for a kid:** curious kids hear words all day. This answers "what does that mean?" on the spot, without a browser.
**Family Setup:** Apple named it alongside Coloring Watch in the same 2020 announcement ([Apple Newsroom](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/09/apple-extends-the-apple-watch-experience-to-the-entire-family/)).
**Cost:** free, with an optional LookUp+ subscription ($2.99 a month, $29.99 a year or $59.99 lifetime). Rated 4+. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lookup-english-dictionary-app/id872564448)

### 5. Activity and Workout (Apple, built in)

**What they do on the watch:** the Activity rings, and Workout for tracking a bike ride, a swim or a run.
**Why they are good for a kid:** Apple tailors the rings to kids, and under-13s can use Move minutes instead of calories. That is easier for a child to understand than a calorie number ([Apple support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036), [Apple Watch For Your Kids](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/)). Kids can share their rings with family for a bit of friendly competition.
**Family Setup:** built in.
**Cost:** free.

### 6. Air Hockey Wear

**What it does on the watch:** air hockey, with the Digital Crown moving the paddle.
**Why it is good for a kid:** short rounds, simple rules, and a fun way to learn the Crown.
**Family Setup:** the listing says "Independent Play: Play directly from your wrist, no iPhone needed!"
**Cost:** $1.99. Rated 4+. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/air-hockey-wear-watch-game/id1478648883)

### 7. Pixel Art: Coloring Book

**What it does on the watch:** colour-by-number pixel pictures, made for the watch screen.
**Why it is good for a kid:** a quiet puzzle that rewards patience, and a picture at the end.
**Family Setup:** the listing says "Standalone App: Works 100% on your Apple Watch. No iPhone required."
**Cost:** $1.99. Rated 4+. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pixel-art-coloring-book/id6758681027)

### 8. Apple Cash Family (Apple, US only)

**What it does on the watch:** your child can pay with Apple Pay from their Apple Cash, and you can send money to it.
**Why it is good for a kid:** it turns pocket money and chores into something they can see. Apple says you can "set up recurring payments to keep allowances on a schedule" ([Apple Watch For Your Kids](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/)).
**Family Setup:** built in, for family members under 18. Available in the United States only ([Apple support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036)).
**Cost:** free to set up.

### 9. Siri (Apple, built in)

**What it does on the watch:** answers questions and sends messages by voice.
**Why it is good for a kid:** Apple describes Siri on a kid's watch as "a helpful, safe way for kids to get their questions answered" ([Apple Watch For Your Kids](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/)). For a child who is still learning to spell, voice is the easy way in.
**Family Setup:** built in.
**Cost:** free.

## ![](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_atschool_ginger_f01.png)Safety is already on the watch

The most useful safety tools are Apple's own and need no download: Emergency SOS, approved contacts, and Find My on your side, with notifications when your child arrives at or leaves a place. Our post on [why an Apple Watch suits a kid](/blog/what-to-put-on-kids-apple-watch/) covers each one and how to set it up.

## ![](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_atschool_ginger_f01.png)What is missing

Music and audiobooks are the gap. Apple Music needs a subscription, and Audiobooks is not available on a kid's watch ([Apple support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036), [Apple Watch For Your Kids](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/)). We could not confirm any third-party music app that installs without the child's own iPhone, so none are listed.

## ![](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_atschool_ginger_f01.png)How we picked

Each app had to run on a kid's watch with no iPhone of its own, and either say so on its listing or have been named by Apple for kids' watches. We checked every listing on 1 November 2026 for price, age rating and what it says about ads and subscriptions. Prices are US prices and change. Apps we could not confirm are left out until we can test them on a kid's watch.
Before you install anything, read the App Store privacy label and check whether the app pays for itself with ads or a subscription. Our guide to [how kids' fitness apps handle data](/blog/kids-fitness-apps-privacy-data-collection-compared/) explains what to look for. Setting up the watch itself? Start with the [Family Setup guide](/blog/how-to-set-up-apple-watch-kids-family-setup/).

## ![](/assets/images/blog/rabbit_baby_atschool_ginger_f01.png)Sources

- [Apple Support, Set up Apple Watch for a family member](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036)
- [Apple, Apple Watch For Your Kids](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/)
- [Apple Newsroom, Apple extends the Apple Watch experience to the entire family (Sept 2020)](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/09/apple-extends-the-apple-watch-experience-to-the-entire-family/)
- [WatchieBesti on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)
[Download WatchieBesti Now!](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)

> How to cite this: According to WatchieBesti (watchiebesti.com), Nine apps that work on a kid's watch with no iPhone of their own, what each one does on the wrist, and what it costs.

## Related articles

- [Apple Watch for Kids: Why I Chose One for My Daughter, and How to Set It Up](/blog/what-to-put-on-kids-apple-watch/)
- [Kids Fitness Apps and Privacy: What Data Leaves Your Child's Device](/blog/kids-fitness-apps-privacy-data-collection-compared/)