Alright, let’s get this out of the way up front: I don’t have a kid at home (yet). But I do get a lot of parents asking me where to find solid, fun guitar lessons for their kids online.
So, when I talked to Tom (the creator) about GuitarPlayground.com (a guitar learning site built just for kids aged 8-14, run by a pro teacher and his own son) I figured, why not take it for a spin myself?
After four weeks and a dozen lessons, here’s my take.
Getting Started
Signing up was a breeze. The site is clearly designed for parents who might not be tech wizards-no confusing menus or weird hoops to jump through.
Right after registering, I got access to a free sample lesson and something called the Guitar Parent’s Playbook™.
The playbook is actually pretty slick: lots of practical tips for parents, even if you’ve never picked up a guitar in your life. I can see how it would be super useful for non-guitarist parents. And even guitar playing ones, since it has lots of tips on getting kids started and helping them stick with the guitar.
Bite-Sized & Manageable Lessons
Over the four weeks, I received 12 lessons-about three per week. The way it works is that I got a new lesson 2 days after finishing the last one, to give kids time to practice the things they learned and not overwhelm them Netflix binge style.
The lessons are broken up into “Building Blocks,” which is a fancy way of saying you start with the basics and gradually add new skills. There is this kadence between learning something new, and practicing it in the next lesson, than something new, than practice, and so on, through song-based video lessons. And each lesson has backing tracks kids can use to practice the song they learned, which gets them practicing the given guitar skill as well.
Honestly, I liked the pacing. Nothing felt overwhelming, and each lesson was short enough to fit into a busy schedule. I can see how this would be a lifesaver for families juggling homework, sports, and, you know, life.
Song-Based Learning: No Boring Drills
One of my favorite things about the platform is that you’re playing real songs right from the start. No endless scales or dry exercises-just music that’s actually fun.
The song choices are age-appropriate, catchy, and cleverly chosen to sneak in new skills without making it feel like work.
If you’ve ever tried to get a kid to practice, you know how important this is.
Practice Tools & Flexibility
Practice sessions come with song backing tracks, music sheets, and clear instructions, so you’re not left guessing what to do. Even the YouTube music video of the song being taught is right there, so kids can get a feel for what they are playing. And listen to cool music in the process.
The whole thing is self-paced, so if you need to slow down or speed up, no problem. This is a big plus for busy families who can’t commit to a set time every week.
Nevertheless, as Tom repeats in pretty much every lesson, practice as much as possible to get better day by day.
The Tom & Milan Show
This is where Guitar Playground really stands out, I've never seen anything like this.
- The main teacher, Tom Fontana, is a seasoned pro-he’s taught thousands of students, and it shows.
- But the real magic is his son, Milan, who’s right there in the videos, learning and playing along. It’s not just cute; it’s actually super helpful. Kids get to see another kid playing guitar, asking questions, and having fun.
I think that’s huge for keeping young learners engaged (and for making parents feel like, “Hey, my kid can do this too!”).
Badges, Bling, and Real Prizes
Let’s be real: kids love rewards.
Guitar Playground leans hard into this with badges, achievements, and even physical prizes that get mailed out when you hit major milestones. I didn’t unlock any real-world swag yet (guess that comes with more practice time 😉 ), but I can totally see how this would keep kids motivated.
Even as an adult, I found myself wanting to rack up those badges.
Value for Money
When it comes to cost, Guitar Playground lands in a sweet spot for families. The standard monthly plan is $25, and if you commit to six months, it drops to $99 total-so you’re looking at about $16.50 a month if you go for the longer plan. There’s also a premium tier with monthly live Zoom lessons, but most families will probably stick with the regular plans.
To put this in perspective, here’s how Guitar Playground stacks up against other common options:
| Option | Typical Cost | What You Get | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Playground | $16.50–$25/month | Structured lessons, videos, rewards, parent resources, progress tracking, self-paced, milestone gifts | No live weekly feedback (unless on premium) |
| Private Teacher | $40–$50/hour | Personalized, real-time feedback, tailored pacing | Expensive, scheduling, commute |
| Guitar Method Book | $25 (one-time) | Self-guided, covers basics, some include audio tracks | No feedback, no motivation system, limited engagement3 |
Compared to a book, Guitar Playground is more interactive and motivating-kids get video instruction, badges, and even physical rewards. Books are cheap, but they can’t keep a kid engaged for long, and there’s no way to know if you’re playing things right. Take Alfred's kids book for example, it is good, but I would say not possible to learn at home by yourself, even with the support of a parent.
Private teachers are great for personalized attention, but the cost adds up fast (source). One month of weekly private lessons at Guitar Center or other private teachers can easily cost more than six months of Guitar Playground. And you don’t get the flexibility to learn whenever you want, the built-in motivation from the gamified system, or the swag.
Guitar Playground isn’t the cheapest option if you only want to spend $25 on a book, but for what you get-structured lessons, ongoing support, and actual incentives to keep kids playing-it’s the best value for most families. Plus, there’s a 14-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no real risk if it turns out not to be a fit.
Perhaps SimplyGuitar is comparable, albeit a bit more expensive (it is around $25 per month). But I think the personal nature of video lessons from Tom and his son beat SimplyGuitar.
Pros, Cons, and Who GuitarPlayground.com Is For
Obviously I'm not a child (just at heart 🙂 ), but I can really see the usefullness of Guitar Playground.
Pros
- Engaging and Kid-Friendly: Lessons are short, upbeat, and focused on real songs, making it easy for kids to stay interested.
- Motivating Rewards System: Badges, achievements, and even physical gifts keep kids coming back and give them something to work toward.
- Family Involvement: The platform encourages parents to join in, making it a great option for family bonding or for parents who want to support their child’s learning.
- Relatable Instructors: The father-son teaching team brings both expertise and a kid’s perspective, which helps make the material approachable and fun.
- Flexible and Self-Paced: Lessons can be done on your own schedule, which is perfect for busy families.
- Affordable: Costs much less than private lessons, with more structure and motivation than a typical method book.
Cons
- No Live Feedback (Standard Plan): Unless you opt for the pricey premium plan, all lessons are pre-recorded, so kids who need real-time correction might miss that personal touch.
- Requires Some Parent Involvement: Younger kids especially will need a bit of help getting set up and staying on track, at least in the beginning.
After four weeks, I’m honestly impressed. GuitarPlayground.com nails that tricky balance between fun and effective learning. The father-son teaching team is a brilliant idea, and the gamified rewards keep things fresh. If you’re a parent hunting for a kid-friendly, online guitar course, this one’s definitely worth a look.
I think it is best for parents looking for an affordable, flexible, and genuinely fun way for their kids to learn guitar-especially if you want to be involved in the process.
Check out GuitarPlayground's kids guitar lessons here.