Device for child to play Apple Music without internet, games, or phone access

You could buy an iPod and set up parental controls in Screen time:

Set up parental controls with Family Sharing on iPod touch

I'm still using my old iPod Classic to listen to my music collection I bought before subscribing to Apple Music.

The old iPod Classic 160GB does not run iOS and can not use my Apple Music subscription. I transferred music I bought in iTunes before Apple Music has been introduced, from my Mac to the iPod Classic.

Only the iPod Touch can use the subscription, if running at least iOS 9.3.6 or better iOS 10.

iPod Classic Technical Specifications - Apple Support

My old iPad mini is running iOS 9.3.6 and I'm able to use my Apple Music subscription on it.

Look into setting up ScreenTime on the device, or even simpler if you only want Music, use Guided Access:

Use Screen Time as part of parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch —> https://support.apple.com/105121

Use Guided Access to permit a person to only use a single app —>

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-guided-access-iph7fad0d10/ios

This is very interesting, I will look it up. Can you use Apple Music subscription on your old IPod and what type is it? I did have generic MP3 players for his older siblings but I wasted so much money buying Disney songs etc when it was already on Apple Music which I already pay for…

This might be a good idea. I can limit the phone to only music and alarms or other little things.

The only minor problem is his secondary school has banned all smart phones so he will not be able to take it on the bus to and from school. Older kids at the school have bought cd players if you can believe it!!!! It’s a shame there’s not a music only device with Apple Music capability.