Blog · September 16, 2026

Your kid's first music library

The easiest place to start is a song your child already asks for. Add that, a few other familiar songs, and something they can choose for themselves.

You do not need to organize years of music before handing over the player. A starting collection can be small. You can add more when your child asks for it.

Start with what they already like

A film soundtrack, a song from the car, a hymn you sing together: familiar music gives them a reason to press play. Ask what they want to hear, then listen before adding it.

There is no required number of albums. A few tracks can be enough for a first try. If your child enjoys an album, you can add more of it later.

Include a choice or two of your own, too. Sharing a song you love can be a conversation: where you first heard it, who played it for you, or which instrument you notice.

Approve the songs you want

An album does not have to be an all-or-nothing decision. In Songkrate, parents can choose individual tracks from the Apple Music catalog. If you want three songs from an album, those three can be part of the child's collection.

If you already have an Apple Music playlist you have reviewed, you can copy it into the collection as a starting point. That is a copy of the selection, not a promise to keep adding songs when the original playlist changes.

Songkrate does not listen to lyrics or decide what is appropriate for your family. The parent makes those choices.

Let them try the player

Create one child profile, add the starting music, and show them how to find it and play a song. Then give them a chance to choose.

Can they find the album they want? Can they get back to their collection? What would they like you to add next? Those answers are more useful than trying to build a perfect library before anyone has used it.

Each child can have a different collection. A shared family device can also work; an individual device is not a requirement for trying the app.

Check the listening device

Songkrate runs on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The listening device needs access to Apple Music. For iPhone and iPad, check that it can run iOS or iPadOS 17 or later.

The approved collection is inside Songkrate. If a child can leave the app and open another music app or browser, those are separate routes to content. Use our Screen Time setup guide to configure an iPhone or iPad alongside Songkrate.

Before handing it over, play a song on the device your child will actually use. Checking the parent's phone alone does not establish that the other device has Apple Music access.

Try it with one child first

You can see the player in the short demo on our homepage. Start with one profile and music you know, then build from there.

Songkrate has a 14-day free trial starting when you create an account, then costs $4.99/month or $39.99/year. No credit card is required to start the trial. If you subscribe early, the paid subscription starts immediately. Apple Music is required and sold separately.

Try it with your own kids

Songkrate turns the Apple Music you already pay for into a player that only has the songs you approved. Free trial, then $4.99/month.

Download on the App Store