Kids love music, and they love singing along to it, too. None of that changes just because Christmas is coming! In fact, the holidays are right around the corner. Have you already made the most important decision you'll make this Christmas? We're talking about which Christmas songs will make your playlist, of course. But what is the best Christmas music for kids?
Which songs are you going to listen to with the kids during the holiday's biggest moments? From wrapping presents to decorating the tree and everything in between, how are you going to soundtrack life's most precious moments throughout the entirety of this season's Christmas activities? It can be a pretty tough decision. There are so many different songs, versions and artists to choose from. And if you're anything like us, making playlists isn't always as easy as scrolling through music and pressing a few buttons.
That's why we've come up with some of the best Christmas music for kids that you'll find on streaming services such as Spotify. Whether your brood likes classic singalongs with standards such as "Jingle Bell Rock" or the whole crew likes pop stars and contemporary classics from singers including Kelly Clarkson or Ariana Grande, we've got you covered. Check out some of the best Christmas music for kids below, helpfully sorted into categories for listening at just the right moment.
Shiny Baubles for the Christmas Tree
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1. "O Christmas Tree," "Bob's Burgers": Sing about your tree's twinkling lights as you decorate together with this fun version of the Christmas classic from "Bob's Burgers."
2. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Brenda Lee: Dance around with tinsel and get into the holiday spirit as you literally rock around the tree!
3. "Jingle Bell Rock," Bobby Helms: A rock 'n' roll beat to add some groove to your tree-trimming session that just about everyone can sing along to.
4. "Little Saint Nick," The Beach Boys: Surf's up! Even Santa goes coastal with this catchy tune.
5. "Deck the Halls," Mickey and His Friends: The "Fa-la-la" makes it super fun to belt out while stringing garland, and this version has your favorite Disney pals.
Gift-Wrapping Precious Memories
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6. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," Jackson 5: Wrap gifts fast, because you better watch out! Santa's on his way!
7. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Gene Autry: A story song that's as much fun to listen to as wrapping up surprises.
8. "Frosty the Snowman," The Ronettes: Get into a jolly mood with Frosty while you fold and tape.
9. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," Jackson 5: A giggle-inducing tune perfect for wrapping with friends and family.
10. "Here Comes Santa Claus," Elvis Presley: The excitement of Santa's arrival will make time fly while wrapping gifts, and the kids may just catch a glimpse, too!
Baking Cookies for Santa
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11. "All I Want for Christmas," Mariah Carey: The energy of this modern classic is infectious, ideal for a cookie decorating dance party.
12. "You Make It Feel Like Christmas," Gwen Stefani feat. Blake Shelton: A duet that brings together country and pop for a fun family cookie decorating session.
13. "Holly Jolly Christmas," Michael Bublé: His velvety voice makes any activity feel more festive, including sprinkling decorations on cookies.
14. "Christmas Cookies," George Strait: A country tune that adds a homey feel to baking and decorating cookies.
15. "Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey: The fast pace will keep the energy up and the cookies coming.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
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16. "Silent Night," Carpenters: This crystal-clear rendition of the song brings a sense of calm to the home on Christmas Eve.
17. "Christmas Eve," Celine Dion: A fun but powerful ballad that sets a magical stage for laying out cookies for Santa while also making the night feel more magical.
18. "This Christmas," Pentatonix: This version adds fun harmonies for the kids to groove to that add to the anticipation of Christmas morning.
19. "Winter Things," Ariana Grande: A lighthearted tune that kids can relax to as they nestle into bed.
20. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Sam Smith: Sam's tender vocals offer a peaceful close to an exciting night, and it's comfy enough to fall asleep to.
Celebrating Christmas Morning
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16. "Christmas Lights," Coldplay: A soft rock song that captures the twinkling lights and joy of Christmas morning.
17. "Santa's Coming for Us," Sia: Perfect to create an exciting atmosphere, and it's calm enough for opening gifts.
18. "One More Sleep," Leona Lewis: Counting down the sleeps until Christmas has never been more fun, and this is ideal for the early risers.
19. "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," Michael Bublé: A modern classic that captures the essence of the festive morning.
20. "Santa Claus Is Back In Town," Elvis Presley: A bluesy tune that'll have the whole family grooving along with their new toys.
Having Fun on Christmas Day
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21. "It's Christmas Time Again," Backstreet Boys: Everyone loves boy bands! This song is perfect for a Christmas morning sing-along or dance-off.
22. "Christmas Day," Dido: With its soothing melody, it makes for a calm moment to appreciate the new toys and gifts.
23. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," *NSYNC: This pop anthem brings an infectious joy to anything the kids choose to do after opening presents.
24. "What Christmas Means to Me," John Legend: Legend's voice adds a great kind of swing to whatever the kids choose to do, whether it's playing with new toys or enjoying family time.
25. "Man with the Bag," Jessie J: Its jazzy flair will get everyone in the mood for a Christmas Day dance party.
Big, Bountiful Christmas Dinner
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26. "The Christmas Waltz," She & Him: A smooth, classic tune that's just right for setting a relaxed dining atmosphere.
27. "Christmas Time Is Here," Vince Guaraldi Trio: Known from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," this jazzy instrumental is perfect as a calm dinner background.
28. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Michael Bublé: Bublé's warm voice pairs nicely with a cozy dinner setting, and it'll calm any cranky kids at dinner.
29. "Winter Wonderland," Jason Mraz: Mraz's laid-back style is great for a cheerful kind of dinner where everyone's smiling.
30. "Let It Snow," Boyz II Men: Their harmonies are delightful and can add a touch of elegance to the Christmas meal. And the adults can appreciate them, too.
