This list is filled with music for kids that won’t drive parents and educators crazy!
I know of two things in particular that can drive any caregiver crazy in seconds; obnoxious toys that make awful noises and terrible kids’ music. There are not many things worse than loud annoying toys and terrible digitalized music for kids!
As a teacher and childcare worker turned mom, I have spent many years learning what types of children’s music to avoid at all costs–even when it’s free. Below you will find some of our family’s favorite kids’ music that won’t drive you nuts!
Related: Kids Books That Teach Important Life Lessons.
Related: Board Games for Kids That Won’t Make You Run and Hide
Music for Kids That Won’t Drive You Nuts!
Each of these kids’ music albums can be enjoyed anywhere. Whether you are on a road trip, having music time, or just playing and hanging out there is something for everyone here.
We have updated this list of music for kids a few times, and, will continue to update it with new fun children’s CDs that my family loves. Be sure you bookmark this list of music for kids and check back often!
Some musitians have several albums, so we decided to list this round-up of children’s music CDs by the artist (or title of the compilation) in alphabetical order using the artist’s first name, or, the first word in the title of the compilation after “the.”
Barenaked Ladies
This is a great album by a well-known Canadian Rock band.
Billy Jonas
The Billy Jonas Band loves to engage and delight both young and adult audiences with spirited, thought-provoking lyrics for everyone! With original songs, daring harmonies, a mix of homemade “re-percussion” and conventional instruments, audiences will fall in love with every note!
Caspar Baby Pants
Caspar Babypants is also known as Chris Ballew – the lead singer for the Seattle rock and roll band The Presidents of the United States of America. Caspar Babypants is not my absolute favorite of the artists that I have listed here, but I have many friends of all ages and backgrounds that love him.
- Sing-Along!
- Baby Beatles!
- This is Fun!
- Here I Am!
- RISE AND SHINE!
- I Found You!
- Hot Dog!
- Night Night!
- More Please!
Charlie Hope
When I first heard Charlie’s music I was in love. I thought, “Wow… Good kids’ music really does exist!
Her original songs are excellent, catchy and easy to sing along to. Charlie also includes a lot of classic children’s songs on her CD’s and I absolutely LOVE her versions. Many have become my all-time favorites.
She also has a wonderful lullaby album with sleep music for kids.
- I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children
- Sing As We Go!
- Songs, Stories, and Friends: Let’s Go Play!
- World of Dreams: Soothing Songs & Lullabies
Even though the late Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist for The Grateful Dead, was never known for the kind of upbeat vocals typically associated with children’s music, these songs are catchy and fun.
Jerry and Dave’s voices are a pleasure to listen to. Overall this album offers an appealing assortment of toe-tapping American folk tunes whose simple lyrics and old-fashioned harmonies appeal to the kid in all of us.
Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell has a lovely voice that brings a fresh sound to American folk songs and other melodies from around the world. Her children’s music albums are filled with relaxing music for kids, as well as upbeat folk songs.
Her sweet and melodious voice can carry you anywhere you want to go. There is something for everyone in the family to be found in this wonderful collection of CDs by Elizabeth Mitchell.
- You Are My Little Bird
- Little Seed: Songs for Children By Woody Guthrie
- You Are My Sunshine
- Blue Clouds
- Sunny Day
For the Kids
These kids’ music CDs are compilations that include many of today’s popular music artists. Contrary to the title, this album is not just for the kids, adults will also have a good time listening to these delightful songs by some of today’s most successful contemporary artists.
One of my favorites is Sarah McLachlan’s rendition of Kermit the Frog’s “The Rainbow Connection” on the first album. If you are going to choose only one of these the first is the best.
Francis England
Frances England delivers unique heart-infused lyrics that can be generally described as Indie and/or Folk. Her inventive and catchy music will capture the imagination of children (and adults) everywhere!
Jack Johnson
Here’s a soundtrack that both kids and adults will love filled with happy upbeat and calming music for kids. Laidback Hawaiian surfer Jack Johnson’s easy-breezy whimsy is just right. Happy strumming, never in any hurry, and with cheery little stories and lessons embedded into the lyric – Love it!
Jazz for Kids
This is a wonderful assortment of artists and songs for all to enjoy. What I really appreciate is that it introduces the Jazz form to the kids at an early age. It is a marvelous introduction to a staple genre complete with songs from many well-known jazz artists. We highly recommend this children’s music CD.
Karma Kids Yoga
Karma Kids Yoga is not just for practicing yoga. It features an eclectic mix of musical styles, including rock, reggae, disco, country, new age, and rhythmic chanting. Kids can practice yoga along with popular songs, or they can just chill out and enjoy the groove. You may also like Kids Yoga: Tips for Getting Started.
- Come Play Yoga – Our family loves listening to the CD below for chilling out at home. Each track on this aims to inspire strength, confidence, imagination and inner peace in children (and adults) everywhere!
Laura Berkner Band
I love that Laura Berkner has put out a best of, and, ultimate album. They make it a lot easier to enjoy her music without purchasing every CD that she has made.
Her lively songs are mostly about action and can really get everyone up and moving. This album is filled with common children’s songs, and songs about the things kids love to do and say… buzz buzz!
Laura Doherty
Acoustically rock your kid’s world with Laura Doherty – an award-winning performer and producer with an ear for a catchy kids music!
Medeski Martin & Wood
There are some really adventurous things on this album that are sure to captivate the imagination and playfulness of all listeners. There is a balance of vocal-oriented songs and the type of funk-infused Rock instrumentals that have become the hallmark of Medeski, Martin, and Wood.
This album has something for both adults and children. The only downside of this catchy music is that it can get old quickly. Even so, it is still one of our favorites.
Music Together
My daughter and I participate in Music Together music classes for children and their caregivers. I am not affiliated with this program in any way. I am recommending it because I love the program and the music they use. I find myself listening and singing along to their CDs even when my daughter is not in the car.
The program connects families and communities across the globe as they express and explore our basic human instinct for making music. To find out more about the program and if it is offered in your community click here.
- Learn More about the Music Together albums and listen to some of the music.
- CD’s and downloads.
Nancy Kopman
Early childhood educator and composer Nancy Kopman has been creating, testing, developing, recording and performing her short, catchy, award-winning educational songs for children 0-10 for over 20 years. She writes interactive children’s music with a purpose. A few of her wonderful CD’s can be found below.
Raffi
Raffi is one of those that may make you crazy if you listen to any particular CD for too long, but I would be remiss if I did not include him.
This musical artist has several albums and a classic style for everyone to love. I may not be able to listen to one of his albums from start to finish, but I love to include some of his works in the mixed CDs and playlists that I create.
Raffi has made many albums, here are a few of our family favorites:
- The Singable Songs Collection
- Baby Beluga
- Raffi’s Box Of Sunshine [3 CD/CS Box Set]
- Evergreen Everblue: 20th Anniversary Edition
- Fun Food Songs
- Animal Songs
Renae & Jeremy
Renee and Jeremy are a family favorite in our home. They make children’s music for people of all ages the whole family is sure to love! A few of their CD’s can be found below.
Susie Tallman
Susie Tallman has a unique skill at combining traditional children’s music, a beautiful singing voice, a playful approach, and remarkable ease of well-known songs.
If there is a particular song that drives you crazy, it’s usually not her fault. She does a great job of delivering “kids music” in an easy to tolerate manner.
- Children’s Songs: A Collection of Childhood Favorites
- Let’s Go! Travel, Camp and Car Songs
- Animal Songs
- Classic Nursery Rhymes
Ziggy Marley
Family Time by Ziggy Marley is one of my family’s favorite CD’s. It is upbeat, happy and fun. Toots Hibbert, Paul Simon, Rita Marley (Ziggy’s mom), Cedella Marley, Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Laura Berkner all make appearances in this CD.
The final two tracks of this children’s CD are not songs, but narrations by Jamie Lee Curtis that contain meaningful messages for the whole family.
Music for Children that Even Parents and Educators will Enjoy!
Good quality albums with real music for you and your children to enjoy can be hard to find. Whether you are on a family road trip, having music time, or just playing and hanging out there is something for everyone here.
We hope that you enjoy finding music for kids that you enjoy to share with children on this list. Kids’ music (that won’t drive you nuts) makes a great gift idea and stocking stuffer!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Megan says
These look great, I will have to check out some of the ones I haven’t heard of. Thanks for the suggestions!
Alyssa @ Arts and Crackers says
We love silly songs that teach things. I also found out recently that the Curious George movie songs are pretty cool.
nell says
We love silly songs too! I love some of the original songs by Charlie Hope. They are really something special. 🙂
Kristina says
Our favorite is TMBG-They Might Be Giants-Here come the 123s, ABCs, Science…
Kristina says
We also love Eric Herman, music from Yo Gabba Gabba, Jack’s Big Music Show, and Wow Wow Wubbzy.
channon says
What a fantastic list! Thank you for putting it together 🙂
nell says
You’re welcome, Channon! I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted a list like this or wanted to know if an album was any good. I would have loved to have found this list a few years ago!
Kat white says
Thanks for this great resource.
nell says
You’re welcome, Kat! So glad you like this list of kids music that won’t drive you nuts!
Milton James says
Great List! ‘POOPY SONG’ and ‘THERE’S MORE TO LIFE THAN TOYS’ By SHILOH BEAR MUSIC could be great additions.
Nell Regan M.A. says
Hi Milton, I’m so glad you liked this list of music for kids. Thanks for the children’s music suggestions, I’ll check them out!