The kids' Christmas gift that ticks all the boxes.

My sports-mad son has his heart set on one thing.

He’s wanted one for over a year now but it’s been one of those things that we keep telling him he needs to wait until he is “just a bit older” before he can get it.

You know the conversation.

Kid: Muuuumm I really want a [insert name of technical gadget here].
Mum: Well, one day but right now you are just a bit too young.
Kid: But muuuum [insert name of the kid with everything] has one and he’s the same age as me.
Mum: Well I’m not [insert name of the kid with everything’s mum] and I think you aren’t old enough.
Kid: Well what if I ask Santa for one he might think differently?
Mum: Santa only brings things that are made for kids and these are made for grow ups.

Extremely disappointed son mutters something about worst mother in the world/ the unfairness of life/ how mistreated he is/ and sadly sulks off.

Is that conversation familiar?

It’s one we have on a regular basis.

Shauna and her son Odie. Image: supplied.

You see, my seven-year-old says that the only thing he needs to make his life complete is a fitness tracker. I nearly caved in a little while ago but each one I looked at was too technical, too big and too expensive for a seven-year-old.

Well, he doesn’t know it yet but a brand-new product has launched onto the Australian market that blows all my arguments against him having a fitness tracker out of the water.

Not just blows them away but replaces them with incentive.

After all, what mum doesn’t want to encourage their kids to be more active?

It’s the Garmin Vivofit Jr; the answer to my brown-eyed boys every dream.

There are so many things I love about the Gamin Vivofit Jr. From its child-friendly design to the fact it is small enough to fit those little wrists perfectly, ensuring it won’t fall off.

1. The design: Kid-friendly design is comfortable, durable and swim friendly.

This nifty gadget features a comfortable, durable one-piece band that kids can slip on and off, no fiddling with catches or trying to work out exactly which way it loops. It's also swim friendly so no more, “Ooops I forget to take my watch off” when they dive into the pool.

2. No racing off to get new batteries or re-charging.

This could just about be the thing I love best about the Gamin Vivofit Jr - it doesn’t need to be charged.

Can you believe it? No cords, no chargers, no losing chargers and no trying to work out which cord goes where. This fitness tracker has a good old fashioned battery that lasts a not-so-old-fashioned one whole year.

You'll never have to see this again. Image: iStock.

3. It encourages kids to be active.

It’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? Happy healthy kids and one of the best ways to achieve that is to keep them active. A fitness tracker encourages kids to be accountable for how much activity they do. Before you know it, they will be off the devices and wanting to run around the backyard, go for a walk to the park and play an extra game of soccer – just to get those steps up. The kids get some extra motivation with this device, as when they complete their daily 60-minute activity goals, fun facts and a mobile adventure trail are all unlocked.

4. It encourages them to get enough sleep.

It’s not just the activity, the Garmin Vivofit Jr also tracks their sleep, and encourages them to hit the sack and stay there.

5. The free parent-controlled app includes fun and educational mobile adventures for kids.

The free parent-controlled app means you can see their steps, sleep, daily activities and chore data (more on that in a second) when it automatically syncs to your smartphone.
You can assign tasks and chores, find out how many reward coins each child has, and even invite the whole family to compete in a daily step challenge. As well as being fun it’s a great way to keep an eye on your child’s activity levels.

6. You can use this genius device to encourage your kids to do their chores.

It’s not just a fitness tracker: it’s virtual star chart!

You can assign chores from the smartphone app, and all your kids need to do is look down and remember what they have to do.

Brush their teeth, feed the dog, make their bed.

There is even a timer – one that will come in mighty handy in my house – to hustle them along in getting ready or completing their homework.

When they complete their chores, kids earn virtual coins to collect and then exchange for rewards you have agreed on.

It’s not just a fitness tracker: it’s virtual star chart. Image: iStock.

7. The band is gorgeous.

The one-piece band is available in black, broken-lava, digi-camo, purple-strike and "real flower" band patterns. Any boy or girl will be able to find a design that appeals to them.

8. It’s easy to operate.

No “Muumm can you set the time.”
No “Muuuumm how do I track my steps?”
No “Muuuummm what does this button do?”
This device is designed for kids and as such is easy for kids to operate.

9. Its affordable.

A watch, fitness tracker, virtual star chart and sleep-encourager for under $130. I think my son’s Christmas will be one where his – and my- wishes come true.

How do you keep your kids active?