Favourite Songs Kids Love to Listen To

I asked the BAFM Community about the favourite songs for young children. You can read the responses by clicking on the link. I have compiled the responses into a list of 40 songs kids love. Since working for Making Rainbows last year, I’ve had an increased appreciation for the importance of music for children’s development. It teaches them about the rhyme and rhythm of language and a fun way to build on their early literacy skills.

Incorporating music into your day doesn’t have to be a big activity. It can be as simple of putting music on in the car, background music while kids play at home, or having a little dance party. If you do want to get a bit more involved, you can use a washing basket as a boat or car and go along with the music, make some shakers by putting rice into a bottle or make a ribbon dance ring. 

Below are some snaps from Making Rainbow classes and if you’re interested, you can find locations and times here.

The humble washing basket can be used for play.

Make a little ocean-themed sensory bowl and play Baby Shark.

Music is amazing, and there’s just so many songs to pick from. Not surprisingly, Baby Shark was a top response, but there are other songs you might like to consider too. Some of them are general nursery rhymes that are put  to music, so the author is left blank and you can search for whatever version your child enjoys best.

40 Song Kids Love

1. Apples and Bananas by Raffi
2. The Ants go Marching
3. Baby Shark by Pinkfong
4. Big Red Car by The Wiggles
5. Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake (Trolls soundtrack)
6. The Children’s Marching Song (Nick Nack Paddy Wack) by Mitch Miller
7. Do the Propeller by The Wiggles
8. Dino Stomp by Playschool
9. Dr Knickerbocker by The Wiggles
10. Everywhere’s a Dancefloor by Justine Clarke
11. Five Cheeky Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
12. Five Little Ducks
13. Five Little Speckled Frogs
14. Fish & Mice by Holly Throsby
15. Fruit Salad by The Wiggles
16. Happy by Pharrell Williams (Despicable Me soundtrack)
17. Hickory Dickory Dock
18. Hot Dog Dance by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
19. Hushaby Mountain by Stacey Kent
20. I Can Play Anything by Jay Laga’aia
21. I like to Sing by Justine Clarke
22. I’m Still Standing by Taron Egerton (Sing soundtrack)
23. Incy Wincy Spider
24. Let it Go by Idina Menzel (Frozen soundtrack)
25. Little Day Out by Justine Clarke
26. Jesus Loves Me by William B. Bradbury
27. Make a Scary Face by Spotty Kites
28. Mr Clickerty Cane
29. My Lighthouse by Rend Collective
30. Old Macdonald
31. Open, Shut Them
32. Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary
33. Sleeping Bunnies
34. Teddy Bear’s Picnic by Anne Murray
35. This is the Way the Lady Rides
36. This Little Teapot
37. Watermelon by Justine Clarke
38. We are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner
39. Wheels on the Bus
40. You Are My Sunshine originally written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchel

It can be helpful to create a play list of different songs so you’re not left to songs on repeat a million times!