Calm (Kids Section)

Why We Like It

Calm's kids section earns its place as runner-up primarily on the strength of its Sleep Stories and the sheer volume of engaging audio content that children ask to return to. The app excels at bedtime routines and helping anxious kids settle, though parents of younger children should plan to co-use the app since it isn't segmented specifically for kids. Families already subscribed for adult use will find the kids content a genuinely valuable bonus.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• "Sleep Stories" narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey are a genuine hit with kids and parents alike
• Extensive library of kids meditations, movement exercises, and focus tracks updated regularly
• Polished app experience with soothing visuals that calm children down before bed

Cons

• Kids content is embedded within the adult app — younger children need a parent to navigate for them
• No robust parental controls to restrict adult content sections from older, independent users

Score Breakdown

Mindfulness apps for kids were evaluated on content quality and expert involvement, engagement without manipulative design, age-appropriateness across bands, parental visibility and controls, and overall value including free offerings.