Unless you’ve been living under an ancient analog rock, you probably have a smartphone in your pocket. Maybe you’re reading this on your smartphone right now!
Smartphones have become a second appendage for many people, providing endless hours of entertainment, connection, and productivity.
With the rise of streaming music services, it’s easier than ever for kids to listen to their favorite tunes anytime, anywhere. But with so many options out there, which ones are the best? And how can you make sure your kids are using these apps safely?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a list of the best music streaming apps for kids, plus some essential safety tips to keep in mind.
Why Stream Music?
Before we dive into our list of the best music apps for kids, let’s talk a little bit about streaming music.
If you’re not familiar with the term, “streaming” simply means listening to music online without downloading it to your device. Rather than storing music files on your phone, you listen to them “on-demand” whenever you want.
There are a few benefits of streaming music that make it especially appealing to kids and teens:
- It’s easy and convenient – kids can listen to their favorite tunes anytime, anywhere, with just a few taps on their smartphone.
- It’s affordable – many streaming music apps offer a free tier with limited features or a low-cost subscription that gives users access to more songs and features.
- It’s safe – when kids stream music from a reputable source, they’re less likely to encounter viruses or malware than if they were downloading music from the internet.
- It’s social – many streaming music apps have built-in features that allow users to share songs and playlists with their friends.
With so many benefits, streaming is fast becoming the preferred way to listen to music for kids.
But which app is the best? Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.
Top Music Streaming Apps for Kids
1. Spotify Kids
Spotify is one of the most popular streaming music services in the world, with more than 217 million users worldwide.
And now, there’s a version just for kids! Spotify Kids features a library of age-appropriate songs, stories, and audiobooks, all carefully curated by a team of editors.
Plus, kids can create their own personalized avatars and playlists. This allows them to explore their musical taste without worrying about coming across inappropriate content.
2. Pandora
Pandora is another well-known streaming music service and was one of the first to offer randomized streaming of music in the form of “radio stations.”
Pandora works by learning your musical preferences and then playing songs that it thinks you’ll like.
For kids, Pandora offers a safe and controlled listening experience once you create a station that includes your favorite recordings and performers – such as Disney radio and Kidz Bop.
3. Apple Music
Apple Music is a streaming service from tech giant Apple, and it comes pre-installed on all iPhones and iPads.
Apple Music does not offer a kids-specific application, but it does have plenty of kid-friendly music that parents can add to their child’s device. The ease of use and tight integration with Apple devices makes it a great option for parents who are already using Apple products.
4. TIDAL
Founded by rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, TIDAL is a premium streaming music service with more than 60 million tracks.
TIDAL also offers exclusive content from some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kanye West.
And while TIDAL isn’t specifically for kids, it does have tons of songs that are appropriate for younger listeners.
5. Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon’s streaming music service, Amazon Music Unlimited, offers access to millions of songs with a single account. As part of the larger Amazon family, this app gives you the ability to listen through phones, smart speakers, and more.
For parents, Amazon Music Unlimited has playlists and curated song selections that will appeal to children. However, parents will want to ensure that they set up proper parental controls, as the service does not have a separate kids-only application.
6. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a streaming service from, you guessed it, YouTube! YouTube Music offers listeners access to a vast library of songs, as well as millions of official music videos.
For kids, Google is increasing accessibility and protections through YouTube Music through their Google Family Link system. This allows parents to give limited access to YouTube music via supervised accounts.
7. iHeartRadio Family
iHeartRadio – the popular radio app with more than 100 million downloads – also offers a version specifically for kids.
And like Pandora, iHeartRadio Family also lets parents control what their kids are listening to.
iHeartRadio Family features age-appropriate music, stories, and podcasts – all curated specifically for kids and parents to enjoy together.
What About Music-Making Apps?
In addition to streaming music, there are also plenty of music-making apps that allow kids to create and share their own tunes. These apps help kids to develop a love and appreciation for music and can also be a lot of fun!
A few of our favorites include:
1. Mussila Music School
Help your kids learn to read music and play instruments with this fun and educational app. Mussila Music School offers lessons on a variety of different instruments, as well as theory lessons to help kids understand how music works.
2. Loopimal
Loopimal is a fun way to help kids learn how to create rhythms and beats. The app features a variety of cute animal characters that each make their own unique sound. Kids can then string these sounds together to create their own songs.
3. Garageband
A favorite among many music-loving adults, Garageband is also great for kids! This app from Apple allows users to create and record their own music, using a variety of different virtual instruments.
4. Baby Mozart
If you want to help your child learn while they sleep, then Baby Mozart is the app for you! This app features classical music specifically designed to help babies (and adults!) relax and fall asleep.
5. Sesame Street Makes Music
Last but not least, Sesame Street Makes Music brings your child’s favorite characters together with music-making fun. This app features a variety of different instruments and sounds that kids can mix and match to create their own tunes.
How Parents and Kids Can Connect Over Music
If you’re looking for a way to connect with your kids, music is a great option! Music has been a way for families to connect for generations – and today’s streaming music services make it easier than ever to find and share the perfect tunes.
Here are a few tips for connecting with your kids over music:
- Create a family playlist: Add some of your favorite songs and your kids’ favorites to a shared playlist that everyone can listen to. This can be a great way to discover new music that everyone enjoys.
- Listen to music from different cultures: Listening to music from other cultures can be a great way to learn about new people and places. It can also be a bonding experience for families.
- Start a dance party: Whether you’re in the living room or the kitchen, put on some music and have a dance party! Just let loose, have some fun, and bond as a family.
- Introduce your kids to music from your childhood: If you have some favorite songs from when you were a kid, share them with your kids! This way, you can introduce them to new genres of music and help them understand where you’re coming from.
- Talk about the lyrics: As you’re listening to music together, take some time to talk about the lyrics. This allows you to discuss important topics like bullying, body image, and more.
Safety Tips for Using Streaming Music Apps
While streaming music apps are generally safe for kids to use, there are a few things to keep in mind to help ensure your kids stay safe while using these apps.
Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
- Check the privacy settings: Most streaming music apps have some form of parental controls or privacy settings. Be sure to check these settings and customize them to your family’s needs – such as limiting access to explicit content.
- Teach your kids about responsible listening: Just like with anything else, it’s essential to teach your kids about responsible listening. This means not listening to music that is inappropriate for their age, not sharing personal information with strangers, and more.
- Set limits on screen time: It’s important to set limits on screen time, regardless of what your kids are doing on their devices. Too much screen time can lead to problems like sleep disorders and social isolation.
- Keep an eye on their activity: As with any app or website, it’s important to keep an eye on your kids’ activity. This means monitoring what they’re listening to, who they’re talking to, and more.
Let the Music Roll with Kidslox
Music can be a fun way to connect with your kids – but it’s critical to make sure they’re staying safe while using these apps. By researching the best music app for kids, you can ensure your family enjoys the perfect tunes – while keeping everyone safe.
If you want to take your online safety a step further, check out Kidslox. Kidslox is a parental control app that lets you manage your kids’ screen time, set limits on apps and websites, and more. With Kidslox, you can have peace of mind knowing your kids are safe online.
One Kidslox account allows you complete access and control of all your devices. This way, you can manage your kids’ screen time from your own phone – even when you’re not at home.
Want to learn more? Visit our website or contact us today. Together, we can create a safe online environment for your family.
