Do you tuck your little ones in to bed at night with a song? You might be among a dwindling portion of parents. A new study shows fewer parents are singing lullabies—but here’s why these bedtime rituals for kids are so important.
A new YouGov poll commissioned in the United Kingdom by the Lullaby Trust found that just over a third of parents with kids under five sing lullabies at bedtime. It also found that among those parents who did sing, the majority are 45 or older. In other words, Millennial parents don’t really sing to their babies as much as their parents might be.
Millennials might not be fans of “Twinkle Twinkle,” but maybe more should consider it, as numerous studies have shown that singing to babies has many benefits. One study from the University of Montreal found that singing to babies keeps them calm twice as long as simply talking to them. This—coupled with a Stanford University School of Medicine study that found the sound of their moms’ voices triggers pro-social responses in kids—means that maybe it’s not such a bad idea to sing around your little one any time of day, and not just at bedtime.
Not a fan of traditional lullabies? No one said it had to be Rockabye Baby. Sing a Beatles tune or any song you happen to know the words—or even if you don’t know the lyrics and just make them up on the fly. Your baby will benefit no matter the lyrics.
Did you know that music can help babies with their cognitive and sensory development? It’s also a great way for them to learn language. And beyond all of that, music is a super fun way for parents and babies to bond. Whether you’re looking for music for sleepy time or for having fun movin’ and groovin’, we’ve compiled 10 of the best albums for you and your baby.
Caspar Babypants
Caspar Babypants is high-quality, fun and fresh music for babies and kids of all ages. The former lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America, Chris Ballew, is Caspar and serenades us with clever and hilarious songs with titles such as “My Flea Has Dogs” and “Butterfly Driving a Truck.” There is a folksy vibe to his albums that will hit the spot when you’re in the mood for some tunes with a sunny disposition.
Various albums available at amazon.com in different formats and prices.
Beat Bugs (soundtrack) Beat Bugs is a Netflix original show for kids that follows five funny and cute bugs on their adventures. The songs for this show are all by The Beatles and are performed by various current-day artists such as Sia, P!nk and The Shins. If you like The Beatles, you and your baby will love these fresh retakes on the classics.
Songs from season 1, 2 and a best of from both seasons are available on iTunes. Each season is $14.99; the best of soundtrack is $9.99.
Sandra Boynton’s Frog Trouble
Is country music your thing? If so, and you want to get your baby started early, check out Frog Trouble. Sandra Boynton is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer and best-selling children’s author (Moo, Baa, La, La La is one you might have read with your little one) who has written 12 original songs sung by country greats such as Dwight Yoakam, Fountains of Wayne, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisely and Alison Krauss. If country isn’t your thing, check out her album Hog Wild (CD available at target.com, $11.39) which has a more jazzy feel to it and musicians such as Kristen Bell, Five For Fighting, and Stanley Tucci.
Rockabye Baby
A very clever rock label got the idea to transform parents’ favorite music into lullabies for babies. Basically, they take adult music and make it baby-friendly and baby music and make it adult-friendly. It’s a win-win for all! They have lots of albums to choose from, such as Lullaby Renditions of The Beastie Boys (their newest), as well as albums with songs from Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, the musical Hamilton, The Doors, Beyonce, Iron Maiden, Adele and more. Bedtime just got a whole lot more enjoyable!
Jack Johnson and Friends: Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George If you’re looking for music that falls in the middle of lullaby and rock music, you’ve landed on the perfect album with this one. Jack Johnson joins Ben Harper, G. Love, Matt Costa, Zach Gill and others to serenade you and your baby with calm and beautiful melodies that will have you relaxing in no time.
Lullaby Baby Trio: Disney Classics
This album has a classic lullaby sound; the twist is that all the songs are from popular Disney movies, including “Let It Go” from Frozen and “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. The restful vibes of these songs will have everyone asleep in no time!
Sleep Music: 101 Sleep Songs
If you’re looking for something outside the realm of traditional children’s music, this album provides lulling lullabies for babies, kids and adults. Some tracks contain really soothing melodies, while others have music combined with nature sounds such as water lapping on the shore. These songs are reminiscent of something you’d hear in a spa and immediately put you in a relaxing and deep-breathing frame of mind.
Bedtime Mozart: Classical Lullabies for Babies Classical music is always a winner at bedtime, road trips or when you’re just trying to get everyone to wind down for the day. Bedtime Mozart contains a few Mozart pieces (including “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and “Sonata in A”) as well as other lovely classical pieces and children’s songs, from “Ave Maria” and Pachelbel’s “Canon,” to “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” and “Row Row Row Your Boat.” The piano accompaniment on this album is very soothing and restful. And with 34 songs, this will soothe even the most restless babe.
For The Kids
It’s such a breath of fresh, parent air to have rock stars such as Cake, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, Guster, Tom Waits and Darius Rucker sing classic children’s songs and put their rockstar twist on them. Songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” get a decidedly modern and vibrant update to make them recognizable but really sophisticated and lyrical in this beautiful compilation album.
They Might Be Giants: Here Come the ABCs
The alphabet has never sounded so cool. They Might Be Giants, an alternative rock band formed in the early ’80s, has now created four children’s albums, Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, Here Comes Science and No! With super catchy lyrics and full-on rock sound, you would never know this band is crooning about kid stuff like the ABCs or 123s.
If variety is the spice of your life, check out Spotify or Amazon Digital Music. They both have curated playlists of children’s music that will mix things up and provide you and your babe with unique and enjoyable tunes as you go through your day.
Make sure to capture some of your dance party moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
Your bags are packed, the car is gassed up and everyone is strapped in––it’s road trip time! Before you peel out of the driveway on your family vacation, make sure you’ve prepped your tablets and mp3 players with plenty of kid-friendly albums to keep everyone happy and entertained. Not sure where to start? Check out our roundup of the best kid’s music available for free through your Amazon Prime membership on Amazon Music.
Did you know Amazon Prime members can not only stream entire albums, but pre-set playlists too? Pass the time in a haze of dancing and singing when you queue up the Kidz Bop Party Playlist on Amazon Prime. Curated from four popular Kidz Bop albums, the Party playlist has 30 songs and over an hour and a half of listening time. It's so fun that mom and dad can join in on the popular songs, too.
Introduce your kiddos to the classics with this throwback Songs From the Neighborhood album featuring your favorite old school artists singing Mister Rogers tunes. While you won't be treated to the vocal stylings of Mister Rogers himself, there's no doubt you'll be transported back to a simpler time, and hopefully a peaceful one at that, on your long road trip.
Nothing passes the time like a good ole family sing-along which you can easily manage with a fun album like 100 Sing-A-Long Songs For Kids. Great for younger kids, this album packs all the songs from your childhood into one digital album. Get ready to revisit songs like If Your Ears Hang Low, If You're Happy and You Know It, and Old MacDonald. With over 2 hours of songs, all you have to do is press Play and let the time slip by.
Cue up Shel Silverstein's Where The Sidewalk Ends and settle in for at least 45 minutes of a quiet car ride with the kids. Listen as Silverstein himself narrates one of the best classics in kid lit, and enjoy the sounds of the kiddos laughing, too.
Every pony knows the reboot of My Little Pony made the franchise better than ever, and that includes the soundtrack to every episode. Your MLP lover will absolutely love Amazon Prime's Songs of Ponyville soundtrack, which includes 11 popular songs from the show. The Mane 6 appear on nearly every track and you'll be treated to some of your fave tunes like Hearts As Strong As Horses and Raise This Barn, which pretty much guarantee they'll be stuck in your head for the duration of your road trip.
You can find the entire album, as well as Equestria Girls tunes on Amazon.
If your little ones love Amazon's original series, Wishenpoof, then they are bound to love the accompanying soundtrack for your next road trip. Rock out with Bianca and her sweet songs on friendship and good deeds. There's no question this is one feel good album.
Snag the soundtrack before you head out on your adventure at Amazon.
Yes, you are reading that correctly––your favorite 90's guilty pleasure The Verve Pipe has a family album and it ROCKS. Aptly named The Verve Pipe- A Family Album, the original band members come together and deliver a quippy, peppy and sweet album that's perfect for the family, but delivers an adult-friendly combo of quality lyrics and impressive musical stylings.
You can finally get Freshman out of your head and replace it with the more kid-friendly Suppertime. Head to Amazon to add this to your playlist now!
Another kids album by one of your fave adult artists, Lisa Loeb's Feel What U Feel is a lively and fun album for the whole family. It's basically an album of whimsy and it gives us all the feels.
Rest easy with Loeb's soothing soprano by downloading it from Amazon.
If you feel like giving your kids some culture on the long car ride, you need to download Beethoven's Wig, a hilarious sing-a-long album to the tons of classic pieces. That's right, a sing-a-long. You and kids will be treated to silly made-up lyrics to the tunes of Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin and more. You'll be laughing while secretly exposing your littles to classical music. Win win!
The creators at Twinkle Twinkle Rock Star have delivered the perfect soundtrack to your midnight road trips in the form of Lullaby Versions of Zac Brown Band. You don't need to suffer one more second to overplayed lullabies when you pop in this soundtrack which hosts toned down versions of your fave ZBB hits. It's so peaceful, you'll need to make sure you've got an extra shot of espresso to stay away at the wheel.
Are you headed out on a road trip soon? We’d love to hear where you’re going and what music you plan to listen to with your family! Let us know in the comments below.
Children love repetition but when it comes to music, that’s one area that today’s parents need not suffer the same song again and again. Thanks to the many streaming platforms, you can tune into a kid-friendly station that will make your next family trip a song and a dance. Scroll down to learn about six stations so cool you just might find yourself listening even when the kids aren’t around.
Minneapolis based indie radio The Current (89.3) has a hidden gem for parents all around the world: their kiddie station Rock the Cradle plays music on par with many adult stations, minus the explicit lyrics. If you want to expose your kids to some seriously awesome music, most likely from your own teenage years (Gen-X we mean you!) then tune in. Because no self-respecting 7-year-old should live in a world without knowing who the Pixies are.
Hear us out! This channel is not just Raffi songs on repeat. It’s actually a well-curated mix of kid-friendly musicians and totally hipster rock which means you get everything from Twenty One Pilots to Paul Simon. There’s literally something for everyone in the family and we’re pretty sure you’ll find yourself saying, “Oh, I love this song!” more than once.
Tip: Did you know that Pandora has an option to skip music with explicit lyrics? This makes it possible for you to stream any channel you like without having to stress to hit the skip button.
Because it is 2017, we parents have options, options, options. And arguably one of the most awesome options is Rockabye Baby, lullaby renditions of Guns ‘N Roses songs. Yep, you read that right, sweet child of mine. Diehard fans in the know already have the actual album but you can stream the mix through Pandora. (And yes, this same label also has lullaby renditions of Metallica songs that streams right off Amazon with a Prime subscription. You’re welcome.
Music for kids and kids at heart,” the lineup on this iHeart Radio station is so cool (think more top charts and pop than indie or classic rock) you will actually forget this is a kid’s station. So you can rock, pop and sway through chores, morning routines and just general chill time. “Music for kids and kids at heart” is their motto.
Save the bombastic numbers for tantrum time, and put this channel on as a perfect intro to classical “hits” that will hook them. Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons, the Brandenburg Concertos and Beethoven’s Symphonies top the list. See if you can guess what’s coming next! It’s one of the best ones we’ve found on iHeart.
Get a little Louis Prima with a side of Pavarotti with this Pandora channel that rotates through the kind of music you might hear while dining in Little Italy. Though it’s not technically a kid’s station it’s full of family-style music perfect for dinner or just an afternoon sipping juice boxes.
Your baby is tiny and precious and you never want anything bad to happen to her, so why not surround her with the safest, most natural stuff possible? Here, we’ve outlined 14 ways you can give your nursery a green makeover. Whether you choose to make one eco-friendly switch or several, think of this as your ode to Earth Day.
Choose an Eco-friendly Coat of Paint
Freshening up your nursery with a new paint color? Pick one from Lullaby Paints. You can shop online (great for those end-of-pregnancy nesting days when you don't want to leave the house) including ordering free paint sample cards. But most importantly, the paints are some of the safest available, made with out toxic chemicals that will emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your baby's environment. Find colors ranging from pastel blues, pinks and yellows to bold reds and easy neutrals.
Whoever coined the term “sleeping like a baby” clearly never watched one sleep — at least not for long. If you have a baby that sleeps in short spurts before squirming himself awake or fights sleep with steely determination in his (perpetually open) eyes, there are innovative baby sleep gadgets that can help. These smart products can also save you from dealing with new parent-noia. From apps to smart monitors, here’s the lowdown on four gadgets that promise extra Z’s for baby and you.
Snuza Hero Movement Monitor
If you’ve ever stayed up into the wee hours watching the methodical rise and fall of your baby’s chest or giving him or her a little nudge if that breath doesn’t come quickly enough, you need a Snuza Hero Movement Monitor STAT. Designed to slide easily onto Baby’s diaper, the compact device weighs just one ounce, making it the lightest monitor on the market. The Snuza works by vibrating to stimulate baby’s breathing if movements are weak or fail to less than 8 per minute. If after three vibrations, he still does not respond, the Snuza will emit a “Rouse Warning” designed to wake parents. Unlike more traditional movement monitors that rely on sensor pads and can be bulky, the Snuza falls more into the category of wearable tech for babies, making it an especially smart choice for parents craving peace of mind on the go.
Have a light sleeper on your hands? The SleepHero app was designed to carry babies or toddlers into dreamland and keep them there. Designed by a father of two, the app (a.k.a your new, trusty sidekick) comes preloaded with an impressive number of white noise options, from “rain on car roof” to “cafe chatter.” But what makes it really special is that parents can pre-record a lullaby or story in their own voices and set the app on “auto-pilot” mode to have the recorded message played back if baby begins to stir. SleepHero, indeed.
Noticed your singing voice doesn’t exactly send your little one into a deep, blissful sleep? There’s an app for that. The RockabyBoo app features a selection of stories and songs by silver-throated singer Beulah. Her soft, gentle voice can calm the crankiest of infants (or parents). Plus, the world’s first personalized lullaby and story app can be made to include your baby’s name with the click of a button. Just go to “settings” within the app, and type in your baby’s name to have it magically inserted into songs and stories that are every bit as charming and enchanting as Beulah’s voice. And because there are over one thousand names to choose from, even a “Pippa” or “Leopoldo” won’t be left out.
The Evoz Smart Parenting Monitor offers a number of brilliant features designed to help you and baby get more rest. The Wi-fi based monitor does the basics – streams HD video day or night straight to your smartphone or tablet – and much more. To keep Baby happy and give you peace of mind, Evoz offers a speaker and microphone. Use your own voice to soothe her back to sleep or activate one of the in-app lullabies or stories. Another handy feature is the data-tracking option, which records sleep and wake times, potentially helpful for establishing a sleep schedule. (It also can be used to record feeding and changing times, temperature and baby milestones.) Along with a room temperature sensor and night light, Evoz also includes in-app access to parenting information organized by baby’s age. Sleep-friendly article titles include “Getting Off to a Good Sleep Start,” “Creating a Sleep-Friendly Bedtime” and “Need-to-know Sleep Facts.” Consider it your new, snooze-friendly tech toolbox.
Did you know the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is listed asthe greatest movie song of all time? We believe it! Not only is this the perfect lullaby for kids but as parents, it warms our hearts too. Check out the most sensational versions of this song below.
Listen to Judy Garland, as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, is the original voiceof this amazing song:
With a ukelele, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole melted hearts with his angelic cover:
Six-year-old Connie Talbot wowed Britain and the entire world with her talent:
Some say this song brings tears to their eyes. Eva Cassidy’s version definitely does that to us:
Love this song? Share your favorite version in the comments below!
You’ve sung “Wheels On the Bus,” played white (and pink) noise, even propped the bouncer next to the clothes dryer — all in the hopes of soothing your cranky, crying baby. But, have you pumped anything unconventional through the mini-speakers in your little’s nursery? We have video proof that there are just some crooners (think: Katy Perry and Nine Inch Nails) that have a knack for helping the under-one set calm down before nap time. Introducing your bambino’s newest lullaby play list:
1. “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift A net worth of over $200 million, a gaggle of awards, and the ability to quiet an over tired baby with her voice — is there anything Taylor Swift can’t do?
2. “Little Things,” by One Direction Even after being fed, bathed, and changed, this little lady isn’t having it. At. All. Until the boy band One Direction starts harmonizing for her.
3. Star Wars Theme Song We aren’t surprised in the least bit that this recognizable tune helps relax hysterical babies; it is the greatest song of all time.
4. “Dark Horse,” by Katy Perry This Katy Perry hit doesn’t just quiet a whining tot, it actually makes her bust out some on the spot dance moves.
5. “California Gurls,” by Katy Perry (Again) Just call her the baby whisperer, because here’s another Katy Perry song that gets rave reviews from fussy babies.
6. “Happy,” by Pharrell Even babies can’t escape the feel-good vibes of Pharrell’s Dispicable Me 2 smash hit single.
7. “Gangnam Style,” by Psy And you thought you’d heard the last of this get-up-and-dance diddy. If you have a screaming baby on your hands, you might want to add this back into the rotation.
8. “Love On Top,” by Beyonce It doesn’t matter the time of day or who this cutie is with, when she hears Queen B belt out this loveable tune she drops everything – and stops crying. Whew.
9. “Copy of A,” by Nine Inch Nails We’re willing to bet it’s the repetitive drum beat that gives this song it’s lullaby qualities. Whatever it is, it works!
Are there any outside-the-box lullabies that your baby loves? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Babies can’t talk but their dimpled, gummy grins say a thousand words. And that adoring look in their eyes! Until your little heartbreaker can actually say “I love you,” here are 10 ways you know it’s true.
1. He sucks on your face, but refrains from leaving teeth marks.
Kids already love to express their fandom on their chests (Minnie, Dora, Superman and Wonder Woman should have side jobs as tee-shirt designers), so why not school them on the rock greats by scoring them some itty bitty band shirts? It used to be you had to know your way around eBay to get this kind of merch, but now there are retailers specializing in the genre, so listen up!
Little Rock Store
Get your Iron Maiden onsies, AC/DC bibs and Nirvana lullaby CD all in one place. This site has it all, including Kiss lunchboxes and Wu Tang tees sized for your toddler. The clothing line’s creators are passionate about sharing their love of music with the youngest fans, and all merch is band-approved.
Psycho Baby
While there are a few official band tees here, we love Psycho Baby for it’s witty tees with a rock attitude, from AB/CD (see above) merch, to “Milk, Naps and Rock n’ Roll” onsies and “Juice Box Hero” tees. They also are a great source for customizable clothes, art and even rockin’ lunch bags.
Toddler Royalty
This site doesn’t have a ton on offer, but we fell hard for their Dave Grohl 4 Prez tees—about as rock n’ roll as you can get. Oh, and there’s more, 5% from every shirt will be donated to VH1 Save The Music to help fund music programs in schools across America.
Junk Food
Junk Food can be credited for bringing the vintage tee craze to a fever pitch. They opened in 1998 and in addition to cool, vintage logo designs, their extra soft shirts feel like they have been broken in over decades, Their Venice Beach shop has long been a fave of celebs, but mere mortals around the world can order from their online shop, which carries tees celebrating everything from Led Zepplin to Dr. Suess.
