Pros and Cons of Spotify Kids Account

If you're a parent using Spotify, you've likely run into the issue of your music recommendations being hijacked by "Baby Shark," Disney soundtracks, or Peppa Pig songs. Spotify Kids was designed to solve that.

Spotify Kids is a standalone mobile app available exclusively for Spotify Premium Family subscribers. It's built specifically for children aged 3 and up, offering a colorful, easy-to-use interface and a tightly curated catalog of music and stories. With no ads, age-appropriate content, and a simplified design, it's meant to give kids freedom to explore audio safely—without interfering with their parents' playlists or taste profile.

But is Spotify Kids truly the best solution? And how does it compare to using a regular Spotify account with parental controls?

• Table Of Contents
• Part 1. Pros of Spotify Kids Account
• Part 2. Cons of Spotify Kids Account
• Part 3. Alternatives to Spotify Kids

Part 1. Pros of Spotify Kids Account

Spotify Kids isn't just a stripped-down version of the regular app—it's built with young users in mind. From content curation to user interface, it offers several clear advantages for families with young children.

1. Age-Appropriate, Curated Content

Spotify Kids only features music, audiobooks, and stories that are handpicked by Spotify's editorial team. There's no explicit content, mature themes, or unfiltered search results. Parents don't have to worry about surprise profanity or questionable lyrics.

2. Keeps Your Main Account Clean

One of the biggest advantages of Spotify Kids is that it doesn't affect your main Spotify listening history. Your algorithm won't suddenly start recommending "Cocomelon" or "The Wiggles," and your yearly Spotify Wrapped will remain a reflection of your own tastes—not your toddler's.

3. Kid-Friendly Interface

The app is colorful, animated, and touch-friendly—designed with children's cognitive and motor skills in mind. It separates content into categories like bedtime, playtime, learning, and sing-alongs. Younger kids get a simpler version, while older children unlock more content and functions.

4. Parental Supervision & Controls

Parents can manage their child's profile from the main Spotify account. You can view what your child has listened to, set content preferences by age group, and easily delete or update the child's profile at any time.

5. No Ads, No In-App Distractions

Unlike many free audio apps, Spotify Kids doesn't run ads or push any in-app purchases. It's a closed, secure environment where kids can explore audio content without being marketed to.

Part 2. Cons of Spotify Kids Account

While Spotify Kids offers several thoughtful features for families, it's far from perfect. Depending on your needs and expectations, some of its limitations might be dealbreakers.

1. Requires a Spotify Premium Family Subscription

Spotify Kids is only available through the Premium Family plan, which costs more than a standard individual account. If you're only signing up so your child can listen to music, the additional monthly fee may feel unnecessary—especially when there are free or lower-cost alternatives.

2. Limited Music Library

Although Spotify Kids offers a curated selection of content, that curation also means some of your child's favorite songs might be missing. The library skews heavily toward English-language mainstream children's content, which can feel repetitive or restrictive over time—especially for families seeking multicultural or niche options.

3. Minimal Parental Control Features

While you can view your child's listening history and set an age group, Spotify Kids doesn't offer more advanced controls like blocking specific artists or limiting screen time within the app. Some parents may find the available settings too basic for their liking.

4. App-Only Access

Spotify Kids is a standalone mobile app and cannot be accessed through the desktop or web version of Spotify. This limits its usability on shared family devices like smart speakers, computers, or in-car systems.

5. Poor Compatibility with Smart Devices

If your child uses voice assistants like Google Home or Alexa, Spotify Kids won't work with those platforms. Smart speaker commands typically route through the main Spotify account, which brings us back to the problem of kids accidentally playing music on your profile.

Part 3. Alternatives to Spotify Kids

If Spotify Kids doesn't fully meet your family's needs, there are a few other options worth exploring—ranging from alternative streaming platforms to smart ways of using parental controls.

• YouTube Music (with parental controls): Allows account switching and supervised profiles, though its content control isn't as tight as Spotify Kids.

• Amazon Music Kids: Part of Amazon Kids+, offering child-friendly playlists and audiobooks, with better smart speaker integration.

• Apple Music with restrictions: Parents can leverage Apple's Screen Time settings to limit explicit content and set daily limits within the app.

• Standard Spotify workaround: Create a dedicated kids' playlist in the main Spotify app, then mark it as "Exclude from taste profile" or activate Private Session mode to prevent interference with your recommendations.

Bonus tip: Use VigilKids for extra peace of mind

If your child doesn’t use Spotify Kids—or occasionally listens through your main Spotify or YouTube account—VigilKids can help. It’s a parental monitoring tool that alerts you when inappropriate content is accessed, even on music platforms. Whether your child clicks into explicit songs, videos, or content pushed through recommendations, VigilKids detects it and sends real-time alerts to your phone. It's a smart way to stay informed without constantly looking over their shoulder.

Final Verdict

Spotify Kids is a great option for families who want a clean, kid-friendly music experience. But it's not perfect—and if your child still uses your main account or other apps, tools like VigilKids can help you stay in control.

Want to know more about Spotify's safety risks? Check out: Is Spotify Safe for Kids?