Oh, kids’ music. Much of it is enough to make parents go bonkers. Often, you can really only listen to so many kids songs before you start to feel your head getting dizzy. We are BIG music lovers in this house and since we’ve had to ratify our listening tastes since becoming parents, we’ve really sought out music that we can all enjoy together. And trust me, it does exist. I’ve searched high and low to find the absolute best kids music that even adults enjoy.
Aside from kid-oriented albums that adults also love, I find that there is a good amount of adult music that is actually totally fine for kids’ ears as well, especially when it comes to mellow things like Pete Seeger, Jack Johnson, and some fun Beatles tunes like Yellow Submarine. Overall though, kids music appeals to their little ears the most. Luckily, we live in an age where there are great options, and some amazing “adult” musicians have even started getting into the kids genre. We thank them ever so much.
Kids Music that Won’t Drive Parents Nuts
Let’s Go Everywhere – Martin & Wood Medeski
We recently discovered this album and I have to admit, I really enjoy it. It’s a funky album by some awesome musicians who know how to groove and bond with young kids. You might not even know that it was made for kids. This is definitely one of our very favourites.
Sing-a-longs and Lullabies from Curious George – Jack Johnson & Friends
To be honest, I find any of Jack Johnson’s CDs suitable for kids, but the Curious George movie soundtrack is specifically made for children. K is a big Curious George fan so we have the movie and he recognizes the songs from there. I’m a Jack Johnson fan anyway so this CD is up there on our children’s music list.
Snack Time – Barenaked Ladies
Snacktime is a great children’s CD with really good lyrics. The album is made for children but has some pretty clever lyrics that even parents can appreciate. I’d be lying if I said that I hadn’t listened to it on my own in the car without my son there! Be careful though, as you’ll find yourself singing the lyrics at random times throughout the day.
Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle Compilation – Various Artists
This great album contains a whole bunch of authentic jazz renditions of children’s songs. K loves dancing around to these songs and we have had many family dancing sessions to the tune of this album.
One Earth So Green and Round
This album is perfect for even the littlest of ears as it’s very mellow and calming. K, who is 3/12, loves the different songs about where animals come from, and we both like to sing along to the tracks. It’s one of our new favourites.
Frog Trouble – Sandra Boynton
The popular children’s book author and her songwriting partner Michael Ford’s latest album includes some big country acts. We’re actually not really country fans in this house, but this fun, silly album is cute for everyone and won’t get on your nerves.
Not for Kids Only – Jerry Garcia
Not for Kids Only combines the talents of two legendary performers, the late Jerry Garcia, singer/guitarist of the Grateful Dead, and David Grisman, mandolinist and father of “dawg music”. There’s a whole lot of bluegrass, jazz, swing and Latin sounds going on and you can’t help but move along with the tunes.
Family Time – Ziggy Marley
Family Time is Ziggy Marley’s first children’s album and he brings in a whole bunch of collaborators, including Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson and Toots Hibbert. The songs are fun, easy-going and catchy. If you’re a Ziggy Marley fan, you’ll definitely appreciate this one. K loves it too.
For the Kids – Various Artists
For the Kids is such a fun album. How could it not be with so many great artists like Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Dan Wilson and Chantal Kreviazuk?
Caribbean Playground – Various Artists
Caribbean Playground is one of our favourite family albums to listen to when we want to have a dance party. It’s filled with fun songs and cultural information and it’s the perfect album to listen to on Sunday morning pancake dance party days. Don’t you have those, too?
Thanks for these suggestions! I’m soooo tired of Disney soundtracks. I’m excited to get some new music in the mix.
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do:)
Great list! We enjoy all kinds of music here…my kids love pink Floyd and Serena Ryder! Haha . another good kids music album is Jennifer Gasoi’s Songs for You
That’s awesome! My son is a huge Beatles fan and loves all kinds of music too. Having some decent children’s music is key for us though, especially for the car:)
These are so great! My Family loves Family Time!!
Great list! Next week we are starting a six day drive with four kids…so this post is very timely. I need some not awful kids music! 😉
Good luck, hopefully it gets you through the long drive:)
These are great suggestions! We also love Seth Decker and The Missing Piece’s album Intergalactic Tour. Our favorite songs are Seasons Change and Edna the Elephant. 🙂
That sounds like a fun album, I’ll have to check it out for sure. Thanks for the tip!
Wow, I had only heard of Snack Time (which is awesome) — we will have to improve our selection.
PS — you should totally check out Kira Willey, we love her kid’s yoga CDs.
I will for sure. That sounds awesome! Hope you like the other ones too:)
Just saved a bunch of these in my Spotify – thanks!!
“Jazz for Kids” is an all time favorite in our family. When our oldest (now 13) was little she got some fun reactions when she told some friends of ours that her favorite singer was “Ewwa Fitzgewald”.
We also recommend anything by Elizabeth Mitchell.
I have Snack Time and I think I love it more than my child. Also there is a cd called The Bottle Let Me Down. It is awesome too.
haha I hear you! I’m a big fan of it as well.