Summer’s last hurrahs are coming, and that means families are heading to the beach, amusement parks, museums, and the playground to get in a few more hours of fun before the back-to-school grind. It sounds like a great way to wind down the season in theory but sometimes it can feel like everyone else has had the exact same idea.
There’s just no escape from the crowds at times. As much as we love the company – if not the lines – it’s hard to keep track of little ones when you’re trying to wrangle gear, pass out snacks and deal with the throngs of tourists who’ve stopped to stare in the middle of the sidewalk.
Luckily there are tablet apps and gadgets that can make sure everyone can stick together when you’re out and about with your family. Here are six that are must-haves for families with little kids who have a tendency to wander off or even big kids who aren’t that great about showing up when they say they will.
GPS tracking technology lets relatives and friends see each other on an invite-only map and check in at specified destinations with a single push of a button. But that’s not all. Moms can set this app for Android and iOS to send an alert when older children arrive at a friend’s house or at home. It even comes with a panic button that sends out an automatic email or text to specific contacts. If kids can’t reach parents during an emergency, they can connect with a live Life360 Advisor 24/7.
Securus eZoom
Stash this tiny tracker in your little one’s backpack or overnight bag, and then use your smartphone or tablet to monitor his or her location. When you need extra peace of mind – during overnight school trips or solo playground adventures – eZoom can notify you if your child has left designated safe zones. It can even report on how fast a driver is going when your son or daughter is a passenger.
When you need to keep tight tabs on your kid, you can’t beat this app for both Android and iOS devices. Much more than a tracker, MamaBear will send you notifications when your child leaves areas you’ve deemed safe or even cuts out of school early once the academic year starts. You can keep an eye on your little one’s whereabouts, track Facebook activity and get alerts when teens are tagged in pictures or check-ins. Your kids can check in at allowed locations, request a pick-up or send out an alert when help is needed.
Remote location tracking via GPS is only one of the features this app for Android offers moms. In fact it’s a little Big Brother-esque, but sometimes a parent does what a parent has to do to keep a child safe. You can monitor your kids’ phone logs, text messages, browsing history, and the photos they receive and send – all without them knowing – using nothing but your smartphone or tablet.
On the less intrusive side of the spectrum there are apps like Family Tracker for Android and iOS devices, which helps you keep an eye on your little ones (or anyone else) by tracking their smartphone or tablet. The catch is that the people you want to track have to download it and accept your invitation. Only then can you keep tabs on their locations using the app or the app’s website.
You never have to worry about this ultra-accurate tracker going dead because it has an 80 hour battery life. There are no bells and whistles here, just GPS data logging in real time integrated with Google Maps so you always know where your little ones are when they’re out of sight. And speaking of “out of sight,” this gadget is tiny so it won’t be a chore for even very small children to cart around.
Whether you plan on facing large crowds on a family vacation, or just want to make sure your children are safe, these apps and gadgets are great for keeping track of kids.
This is a Guest Post By Jennifer Thayer
Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California who loves finding ways technology can make life easier. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with readers. Follow her on Twitter.