Let’s face it, we parents can only listen to “Old MacDonald” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” so many times before we start to go a little batty. Thankfully, music for children has evolved over the years, and there are a lot of fun groups & albums out there that are entertaining for kids AND fun for adults, too – what a concept! Here are some of our favorites:
photo credit: bam.org
The Pop Ups
Created by Brooklyn musicians Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein, The Pop Ups entered the children’s music scene in 2010. They received a Grammy nomination in 2014 for Best Children’s Album and numerous awards since. You can watch their creative music videos on Youtube or a companion to their latest album, “The Pop Ups Great Pretenders Club Special,” on Amazon. We love doing “The Robot Dance” especially!
photo credit: snugharbor.org
The Itty Biddies
This all-female trio out of New York City is SO much fun, and their enthusiasm for rocking kids’ music comes through with each song they sing. Over this album series, the Itty Biddies will take you from an African safari to the plains of Texas, and you don’t even have to leave your seat for the ride! You can listen to their album here.
photo credit: symphonyspace.org
Frances England
We love that England’s career really started from accident, after she received a warm reception to a few songs she recorded for her son’s school fundraiser in 2007. Since then, the San Franciscan has been singing sweet original melodies for kids that are soothing for parents, too! She just released her 5th studio album, Explorer of the World, earlier this month.
photo credit: lunchmoneymusic.com
Lunch Money
This South Carolina-based group bills themselves as indie music for the entire family, and that’s our kind of music! We love their cool, funky tunes that get you up and dancing, and we think you will, too.
photo credit: ziggymarley.com
Ziggy Marley: Family Time
If reggae is more your sound, you can’t do better than Ziggy Marley’s Family Time album. Every song has such a great beat, and we think it’s the perfect album to listen to on rainy days or road trips. Marley brings in several family members to sing on this album, including his own children. They’ll have your whole family singing along, too!