The Very Best Music for Children

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 24 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #3,807 in Family, #122,929 overall

A love of music is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

A Note About My Methodology 

My philosophy in making these recommendations is, in short, good, clean fun.

I do not believe in dumbing down music (or anything else) for children, but I do believe it's important to be respectful of the difference between adults and children, especially young children. At the same time, music should be a pleasure for the whole family, so I've done my best to feature music that will be a joy for both children and their parents.

Raffi 

No child should grow up without music by the beloved Canadian singer and songwriter Raffi.

Baby Beluga

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Singable Songs Collection

Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Raffi's Box of Sunshine

Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Sing Along With Raffi 

These books have lively, colorful illustrations to accompany the lyrics of some of Raffi's most popular songs.

Baby Beluga (Raffi Songs to Read)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Wheels on the Bus (Raffi Songs to Read)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Down By the Bay (Raffi Songs to Read)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Five Little Ducks

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Shake My Sillies Out (Raffi Songs to Read)

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Tom Chapin 

An American singer-songwriter with strong folk roots, Tom Chapin is most famous for his recordings of children's music.

Family Tree

Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Peter, Paul, and Mary 

The popular folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary have recorded several fantastic albums for children.

Peter, Paul and Mommy

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Peter, Paul & Mommy, Too

Amazon Price: $13.96 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Around the Campfire

Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Pete Seeger 

Beloved folk singer Pete Seeger has recorded a number of albums for children.

Pete Seeger's Greatest Hits

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Children's Concert at Town Hall

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & Struggle

Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Abiyoyo (And Other Songs and Stories)

Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

American Folk, Game and Activity Songs for Children

Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Burl Ives 

Another beloved American folksinger who often recorded material for children

Lavender Blue: Songs of Charm, Humour & Sincerity

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Sweet Honey in the Rock 

An African American female a cappella group with deep roots in the African-American musical traditions of spirituals, hymns, gospel, jazz, and blues.

All for Freedom

Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

More Great Albums For Kids 

A fun selection of albums, particularly good for preschool and elementary age children

No!

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

For the Kids

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Hush

Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Best of Schoolhouse Rock

Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Disney 

Several generations of children have grown up loving Disney movies and songs. This is a good starter collection of Disney's greatest hits.

Classic Disney, Vol. 1: 60 Years of Musical Magic

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Classic Disney, Vol. 2: 60 Years of Musical Magic

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Classic Disney, Vol. 3: 60 Years of Musical Magic

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Classic Disney, Vol. 4: 60 Years of Musical Magic

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Classic Disney, Vol. 5

Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Sesame Street and The Muppets 

Two great collections of classics from the popular children's shows

Classical Music 

These days, almost everyone has heard of the "Mozart Effect" - the notion that listening to classical music, especially the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in infancy can increase intelligence. I personally think the effect on IQ has probably been overstated, but I do believe that classical music can be beneficial for children and adults alike. Not only is it beautiful and by turns relazing and invigorating, it is also an important part of the cultural heritage not only of the Western cultures that produced it but of all humanity. Whether it really increases your intelligence is questionable, but it certainly can't hurt!

Learn About the Mozart Effect 

The Mozart Effect
Books, articles, music and resources on The Mozart Effect and using music for enhanced health, relaxation and mental stimulation
Mozart effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General information
Mozart effect
Informtion from The Skeptic's Dictionary

Classical Music for Babies 

Fisher-Price Rainforest Peek-A-Boo Waterfall Soother

Amazon Price: $36.25 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Ocean Wonders Musical Aquarium Crib Attachment

Amazon Price: $88.00 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Classical Music Kids Love 

Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Introduce Your Kids to the Masters 

These CDs combine stories with a selection of the best music by each composer, and are a perfect way to introduce kids to the wonders of classical music.

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Mr. Bach Comes to Call

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

More Classical Music Collections 

These collections feature some of the most popular and familiar classical melodies, great for kids and adults alike.

Classics for Kids

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

25 Classical Favorites

Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Mad about The Classics

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Opera 

These albums and collections offer an accessible introduction to the world of opera, with familiar tunes and stories, for kids and adults alike.

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy-My Favourite Opera For Children

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Classical Child at the Opera

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through 'The Magic Flute'

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Holidays! 

Holidays are times for special music and my favorite holidays are those with special music associated with them.

The Best Irish Music for Kids 

St. Patrick's Day isn't only for the Irish anymore! Here are some great albums to help you celebrate with your kids.

James Galway & The Chieftains in Ireland

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Top o' the Morning: His Irish Collection

Amazon Price: $7.97 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Best Patriotic Music for Kids 

Celebrate the Fourth of July with the musical fireworks on these great patriotic albums.

Sousa's Greatest Hits

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Songs of the Civil War

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Best Christmas Music For Kids 

There are many, many albums of novelty songs intended for kids, but I like the classics better than anything.

Raffi's Christmas Album

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

A Holiday Celebration

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

White Christmas

Amazon Price: $6.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Christmas Song

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

More Great Music for Kids 

  1. Nursery Rhymes
    So, I sat down to make this Lens and then realized that I didn't actually have any nursery rhymes collections - I just sing them to my daughter myself! - and therefore had no recommendations to give. Obviously, though, kids love nursery rhymes, and as soon as I find some good collections, I'll add them in above.
  2. Jazz and Big Band
    Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole... Rich voices and classic melodies make the music of this era ideal for children
  3. Oldies
    Who can resist "Rock Around the Clock?" The 50's produced a whole host of foot-tappin' melodies kids love!
  4. The 60's and 70's
    The music of these decades may require a bit more care in choosing, unless you really want your kids listening to music about sex and drugs, but the explosion of folk singers in this period makes it great for children's music anyway. Check out cleaner songs by Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver, Joan Collins, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Beatles, and many others.
  5. Gospel
    I'm not strongly religious myself, but even non-Christians have a hard time resisting the magnificent sounds of Gospel, and many children love it.
  6. Film Scores
    Film scores like Schindler's List, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars are a treasure trove of fabulous music.
  7. Your Favorite Music
    Okay, so, depending on your tastes, you might have to introduce your own favorite music gradually to your children. Babies and young children especially can be easily overstimulated by loud music in particular, and the content of some adult music isn't really appropriate for young children. However, what's the point in giving your children a love of music if you can't share it with them a bit? I say, go for it!

"Grown-up Music" for Kids 

These collections offer fun, kid-safe popular tunes in each genre, sung by the orignal artist. Adults will love them too!

A Child's Celebration of Rock 'n' Roll

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

A Child's Celebration of Dance Music

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

A Child's Celebration of Folk Music

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

A Child's Celebration of Showtunes

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

A Child's Celebration of Soul

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Other Resources 

Music For Little People
20 years as a leading resource for the highest quality award-winning audio, video, musical instruments, toys, and games for children and families.
Chinaberry.com
Chinaberry offers items to support families in raising their children with love, honesty and joy.
Welcome to KIDiddles (TM) - Not your Average Kids' site!
A fantastic children's music resource.

Guestbook 

Joan4 wrote...

I totally agree with you -- children need to enjoy a full range of music -- before they are old enough to make such decisions themselves -- and we always enjoy a Family Sing-Along! Lensrolling!

ReplyPosted December 17, 2008

a_willow wrote...

Great selection! Never too much music! My 14 month old girl is sooo cute when she dances! :)

ReplyPosted October 11, 2008

totalhealth wrote...

nice lens. I started to to like children's music when I had a nephew a few years back, until now still enjoy listening and singing nursery rhymes with my niece.

ReplyPosted September 18, 2008

Evelyn_Saenz wrote...

I'm sending you some virtual Valentine's Day Adjectives and Heart Shaped Waffles for joining our Unit Studies Group.

ReplyPosted January 30, 2008

Evelyn_Saenz wrote...

It's nice to see Raffe at the top of your list. I like to use many of the songs on the albums your mention in my K-1 class or when I am teaching Spanish. Check it out on www.squidoo.com/peteseeger. Let's lensroll eachother! 5* Please consider joining http://www.squidoo.com/groups/unitstudies to share your ideas for making learning fun, active and creative for all.

ReplyPosted October 27, 2007

 
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