Audible Kids – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Audible Kids

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2010

85%

WISE Score

4.9

App Store

Turn screen time into story time—thousands of audiobooks for kids, minus the eye strain and YouTube rabbit holes.

Audible Kids

app

Teen, 2010

85%

WISE Score

4.9

App Store

Turn screen time into story time—thousands of audiobooks for kids, minus the eye strain and YouTube rabbit holes.

Jump to

Also rated on

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Audible Kids is one of the better screen-adjacent options for families trying to reduce passive video consumption. Audiobooks demand active listening and imagination—kids have to build the movie in their heads. The Kids Profile feature is genuinely useful for curating age-appropriate content, and the library is massive.

The main friction is cost. If your kid is a voracious listener, the subscription pays for itself. If they're casual or prefer reading physical books, you might feel like you're paying for something that sits unused. Also, this still requires parental management—it's not a "set it and forget it" solution.

Bottom line: Audible Kids is a solid tool for building literacy, imagination, and better media habits. It's not perfect (subscription fatigue is real), but it's miles better than handing over an iPad with YouTube autoplay.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-14, though really depends on the individual titles selected. Younger kids (4-6) benefit most when parents co-listen or discuss stories together. Older kids and teens can browse independently with the Kids Profile. Adults use regular Audible, not the Kids feature.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The Kids Profile feature creates a dedicated, curated space for children with family-friendly content. Parents control what kids access, and the app promotes listening over screen time—a healthier media habit. The audiobook format itself encourages calm, focused attention rather than chaotic stimulation.

Imaginative

Audiobooks are imagination engines—kids build mental pictures, voices, and worlds entirely in their minds. The vast library spans genres from fantasy to sci-fi to mystery, and the format naturally invites creative visualization. Unlike passive video content, audio storytelling requires active mental participation.

Safe

The Kids Profile feature provides solid content curation and parental control. Multiple sources confirm it's safe for children with appropriate guardrails. However, this is still a subscription app with credits, purchases, and monetization built in. Parents need to manage the account to prevent unexpected charges. The app itself doesn't have predatory design for kids, but the commercial model is ever-present.

Enriching

Audiobooks build vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills. Kids can access content above their reading level, expanding their knowledge and emotional range. The format works beautifully for long car rides, chores, or bedtime routines—turning otherwise dead time into learning opportunities. The library includes educational content, classics, and age-appropriate contemporary fiction.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Builds vocabulary and comprehension skills far beyond a child's reading level—a 7-year-old can enjoy Harry Potter narrated beautifully
Transforms boring moments (car rides, chores, bedtime) into rich storytelling experiences
Kids Profile lets parents curate age-appropriate content while giving kids some browsing autonomy
Encourages sustained attention and mental visualization—actual imagination work, not passive consumption
Works offline, so no Wi-Fi needed for road trips or planes

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a subscription service with credits and purchases—set up Family Sharing or password-protect buying to avoid surprise charges
The Kids Profile requires active parent curation; the main Audible library has plenty of adult content
Some kids find pure audio boring if they're deeply wired for visual stimulation—may take adjustment
Value proposition depends on usage: if your kid listens to 2+ books a month, great; if not, your money might be better spent elsewhere

Conversation Starters

"What did you picture the main character looking like? Was it different from how I imagined them?"
"If you could jump into this story, which part would you want to experience?"
"How do you think the narrator's voice changes how the story feels?"
"What book should we listen to together on our next road trip?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic