Spotify is for the kids.
The Swedish streaming service’s first standalone app for children, Spotify Kids, launched in beta today in the US, Canada and France. The company previously rolled out the app in various other countries, including Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
Spotify Kids, which is exclusive to Spotify Premium Family subscribers at no additional cost, is designed specifically for children ages three and older. The ad-free app gives young listeners access to singalongs, soundtracks and stories, all of which have been handpicked by Spotify editors to ensure content is appropriate for children.
Getting started with the app is easy. Once you sign in and create a four-digit PIN, you’ll be prompted to create your first kid’s profile, which consists of adding a name, entering a birthday (an optional step), and picking a colorful, cartoonish avatar. You’ll also be asked what kind of music your child will be listening to: either tunes for kids up to six years old, or songs aimed at older children (from five to 12).
Once that’s done, your little one can browse by scrolling down a lengthy column of playlists. Younger kids will see such curated selections as Disney Hits, Sesame Street, Dinosaurs, Pop 4 Kids, and The Wiggles, while older kids can choose from Taylor Swift, Frozen 2, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Ed Sheeran, among others.
“We heard loud and clear that both parents and kids are craving more content in the app, so we’ve been increasing the number of tracks available,” Spotify chief premium business officer Alex Norström said in a statement.
In addition, Spotify Kids includes a coronavirus-related “Wash Your Hands” playlist, with songs to help youngsters learn how to their wash hands properly and ensure good hygiene when they cough or sneeze. The app also provides educational music content, like a “Learning” playlist hub that with songs teaching kids about counting, ABCs, science, and other topics.
The app also features singalongs, audiobooks and stories, with Spotify saying that the service now has “more than 60 hours of stories, including Disney Music Group stories, fairy tales, classic stories and short stories.”
Whereas Spotify’s regular app features a dark green color scheme, the Kids offering is much more colorful with big tiles and avatars designed to guide kids through the app.
