What music do 9 year olds listen to

So here's the thing about nine-year-olds and music—they're kind of in this weird in-between zone. They've ditched nursery rhymes and the Wiggles (thank god, right?), but they're not quite ready for the full teenage angst playlist. What they're into these days? It's this wild mashup of whatever their friends are obsessed with, the latest video game bangers, and yeah—those TikTok songs that get stuck in your head for days. In 2025, the stuff blasting from their headphones is a chaotic but fun mix.

Pop music and mainstream artists

Pop is still king, no question about it. Taylor Swift? She's basically a deity to these kids. Olivia Rodrigo and Harry Styles too. They want catchy hooks, lyrics about friendship and growing up—stuff that feels relatable but not too heavy. That whole Eras Tour thing got Swift absolutely everywhere, and now even kids who weren't born when "Shake It Off" came out know every single word. I've heard nine-year-olds belting "Cruel Summer" like they've been through some serious heartbreak. It's adorable, honestly.

Video game soundtracks

You wouldn't think video game music would be a big deal, but it totally is. Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox—these games have soundtracks kids stream non-stop. The Minecraft stuff is this calming, ambient vibe perfect for homework or just chilling out. Meanwhile, the Fortnite emote beats turn into instant party music. My nephew has a whole playlist just for gaming sessions. It's a thing now.

TikTok and viral songs

TikTok is like the main music discovery engine for this age group. Even if a kid doesn't have their own account—which, let's be real, some definitely do—they pick up viral sounds from friends or siblings. That "Espresso" song by Sabrina Carpenter? Absolute hit. Or "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield, which randomly blew up again on the app. These tracks are short, repetitive, easy to dance to. Perfect for short attention spans.

K-pop and global influences

K-pop has this surprising grip on nine-year-olds. BTS, BLACKPINK, NewJeans—they're huge. It's the high-energy choreography, the colorful videos, the positive vibes. And the dances are simple enough that kids can learn them from YouTube tutorials, so it becomes this social thing. They're listening to music in a different language without even thinking about it. Pretty cool, actually.

Data table: Top music genres for 9 year olds (2025)

Expert insights on 9-year-old music taste

Child development people say music is huge for identity at this age. Dr. Emily Carter, a child psychologist, puts it like this: "Nine-year-olds use music to show they're independent from their parents, but they still want that comfort zone. They go for stuff that makes them feel happy, energetic, or part of a crew." Makes sense. Parents should let them explore, but maybe keep an ear out for lyrics that are too mature. Just saying.

Checklist: How to find music your 9 year old will love

• Ask their friends: Peer pressure works in your favor here.
• Look at video games: Check what's playing in the background of their favorites.
• Check streaming playlists: "Kids Pop" or "Family Fun" on Spotify are decent starting points.
• Watch movie musicals: Encanto and Frozen still get heavy rotation.
• Let them explore: Curate a playlist on a kid-safe app and see what sticks.

Frequently asked questions