Ultimate Lockdown Playlists For Kids By Age

Sarah Hallam
Dec 12, 2023 By Sarah Hallam
Originally Published on Apr 09, 2020
Punk rock and roll musicians
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.1 Min

Now that we are all having to spend more time inside, it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Sometimes all you need is an impromptu dance party to lift your spirits. If you're finding yourself with a little extra time right now, why not take the opportunity to introduce the kids to some top tunes? We've put together the ultimate music playlist for kids of all ages, from little tots to teens. All the family will love getting their dance on with these four playlists, which are designed to incorporate both classics and new tunes. Are you ready to get the party started?

Top Tip: All of these songs are child-friendly and available on Spotify, but if you want to browse yourself and make sure the tunes you find are always appropriate, simply go to Spotify> preferences, where you can turn on the explicit content filter.

'The Bare Necessities': Nursery Rhymes & ABC's!

Ages: 5 and under

This playlist includes some old favourites that parents will remember from childhood - as well as some new songs that you might find familiar ('Baby Shark' anyone?). This list is packed with fun, engaging songs, as well as some with an educational twist. Both parents and kids will have a great time bopping along to these tunes!

'Under The Sea' (from The Little Mermaid) - Samuel E. Wright

'Yellow Submarine' - The Beatles

'Baby Shark' - Pinkfong

'Do Your Ears Hang Low?' - Play School

'Hot Potato' - The Wiggles

'The Bare Necessities' (from The Jungle Book) - Phil Harris, Bruce Reitherman

'Bumping Up And Down' - Raffi

'Octopus' Garden' - The Beatles

'Hakuna Matata' (from The Lion King) - Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, Childish Gambino

'Bananas in Pyjamas' - Bananas in Pyjamas

'Ten in the Bed' - Super Simple Songs

'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo' ( from Sleeping Beauty) - Helena Bonham-Carter

'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

'Winnie-the-Pooh- Chorus' - Winnie-the-Pooh

'The ABC Song' - Toddler Tunes

'The Chicken Dance' - Juice Music

'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' - Lebo. M

'Better When I'm Dancin': Disney bops and happy days!

Ages: KS1

Girl playing rock music on drums

We've gathered a range of classics and some seriously fun bops for this kids' party playlist. There are lots of songs the kids might already know from their favourite films and musicals, and some new ones to try. The happy vibes in this playlist are sure to get everyone dancing.

Top tip: Why not assign a DJ and try a game of musical statues? To play this game, one person is in control of the music - whenever they pause the track, the other players must stay completely still. The person who manages to stop what they're doing and stay still first wins!

'Cups' - Kidz Bop Kids

'Whistle While You Work' (from Snow White) - Adriana Caselotti

'Here Comes The Sun' - The Beatles

'I Just Can't Wait to be King' (from The Lion King) - Jason Weaver

'Mr Blue Sky' - Electric Light Orchestra

'Let It Go' (from Frozen) - Idina Menzel

'Raining Tacos' - Parry Grip

'You've Got A Friend in Me' - Randy Newman

'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' - Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke

'Merengue!' - Go, Diego, go!

'Better When I'm Dancin'' - Meghan Trainor

'I Like to Move It' (from Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa) - Will. I. Am

'Happy' (from Despicable Me 2) - Pharrell Williams

'(Theme From) The Monkees' - The Monkees

'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' - Wham!

'Zero To Hero' (from Hercules) - Hercules Chorus

'Don't Worry, Be Happy' - Bobby McFerrin

'La Bamba' - Ritchie Valens

'He Melo No Lilo' (from Lilo and Stitch) - Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus

'Let's Dance!': '80s Hits And Ultimate Pop Tracks

Ages: KS2

This fabulous party playlist has it all for your Key Stage 2 kids. There's some fun throwbacks so parents, there's no excuse not to get dancing. We've included some kid-friendly covers of everyone's favourite pop songs, and of course some familiar music that the children will know.

'Get'cha Head In The Game' (from High School Musical) - Troy

'Let's Dance' - David Bowie

'Longshot' - Catfish and the Bottlemen

'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Muppets Version) - The Muppets

'Truth Hurts' - Mini Pop Kids

'Accidentally In Love' (from Shrek)- Counting Crows

'Shake It Off' (from Sing) - Nick Kroll, Reese Witherspoon

'Old Town Road' - Kidz Bop Kids

'We No Speak Americano' - Yolanda Be Cool

'Bye Bye Bye' - *NSYNC

'Send Me On My Way' - Rusted Roots

'Surfin' USA' - Beach Boys

'Dancing Queen' - ABBA

'Pull Shapes' - The Pipettes

'There She Goes' - The La's

'Shake It Out': Remixes and music legends

 

Ages: 12+

Whether your teens are in the dancing mood or feel like some me-time at home, this varied playlist hits all the right notes. There's pop, rock and even a little rap, so no matter what their taste in music, your teenager will love getting to grips with this range of tunes. Parents will enjoy listening along too, so why not pop this playlist on in the background while going about your day. Alternatively, if the homework stress is getting too much, blast it out and boogie your cares away with a living room dance party.

'Just Like Heaven' - The Cure

'I Will Wait' - Mumford and Sons

'Shake It Out' - Florence and the Machine

'Madness' - Muse

'Another Brick In The Wall' - Pink Floyd

'Take a Walk' - Passion Pit

'My Silver Lining' - First Aid Kit

'Higher Love' - Kygo, Whitney Houston

'I Got U' - Duke Dumont, Jax Jones

'No Tears Left To Cry' - Ariana Grande

'Yo Home To Bel-Air' (from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

'Hard Times' - Paramore

'Kids' - MGMT

'Changes' - David Bowie

'Midnight City' - M83

'Feel It Still' - Portugal. The Man

'Good Vibrations' - The Beach Boys

'Dreams' - The Cranberries

'Don't Stop' - Fleetwood Mac

'Solsbury Hill' - Peter Gabriel

For more ideas for activities to do, if you and the kids love a sing-along, check out our ideas for hosting your own karaoke at home. And if you need more song suggestions, whether for singing or dancing (or both!), take a look at the ultimate kids party playlist to get you grooving!

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Written by Sarah Hallam

Diploma of Education, Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts specializing in Illustration and Visual media

Sarah Hallam picture

Sarah HallamDiploma of Education, Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts specializing in Illustration and Visual media

With a Diploma in Education specializing in Fine Arts (Painting) and a Bachelor of Arts specializing in Illustration and Visual media from the University of Arts London, Sarah previously was a London-based teacher who brought her passion for art and culture to the classroom. Her creative endeavors include painting classes and experimenting with new recipes. She draws inspiration from the world around her and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others while sipping a cup of tea.

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