Headspace for Kids

Why We Like It

Headspace for Kids stands out as the most thoughtfully designed mindfulness experience for children, with curriculum built alongside child development experts and delivered through engaging animation. The family plan makes the per-person cost reasonable, and the age-segmented content means a 6-year-old and a 12-year-old both find material suited to them. It's the app we'd recommend first to any parent wanting a structured, research-backed approach to teaching their child mindfulness.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Dedicated kids section with age-tiered content for under-5, 6–8, and 9–12 year olds
• Clinically informed curriculum developed with child psychologists and mindfulness experts
• Charming animated characters and narration keep children genuinely engaged session after session

Cons

• Requires a full Headspace subscription — no standalone kids-only plan at a lower price
• Content library for older tweens (11–12) is narrower than what adults get

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.