I’ve gathered the best kids dance songs that will have them on their feet.
This family-friendly playlist is packed with upbeat, catchy tunes perfect for dancing.
Top picks for the best kids dance songs
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “Dynamite” by BTS
- “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong
- “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- “When Can I See You Again?” by Owl City
- “The Greatest Show” by The Greatest Showman Cast
- “It’s A Small World” by Disney
- “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book
- “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King
1. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
If you’re searching for some clean party hits that get everybody moving, you can’t go wrong with “Happy”.
The song was a huge hit when it came out in 2013.
It was released as the only single from the soundtrack album for the film Despicable Me 2.
And it remains one of the favorite feel-good anthems.
2. “Dynamite” by BTS
“Dynamite” by BTS is one of the popular dance party songs.
It’s ideal for a children’s birthday party because it’s clean but fun and engaging.
And if you give the kids the challenge to copy the BTS boys’ dance moves, you’ll end up with even more fun and laughs.
3. “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong
And if you’re looking for toddler dance songs, then you can’t skip “Baby Shark Dance”.
“Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong is arguably the world’s most popular kids’ song.
The video has more than 10 billion views which makes it the most-viewed video on YouTube.
Just don’t blame us if the song gets stuck in your head.
4. “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake released “Can’t Stop The Feeling” as a part of the “Trolls” soundtrack.
The song is very cheerful and catchy, and that ultimately makes it one of the good songs for kids to dance to.
Plus, you don’t have to be afraid of the lyrics – Justin kept it very clean and polite this time.
5. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
“Shake It Off” is also a kid-friendly pop hit.
It’s about ignoring bad comments from other people and doing your own thing.
And it’s essential that your kid knows how to deal with that.
Plus, the song is very catchy and danceable.
6. “When Can I See You Again?” by Owl City
Children’s dance songs need to have simple melodies, fun vibes, and a catchy rhythm.
And “When Can I See You Again?” has got it all.
Although this song isn’t written specifically for children, there’s a great chance your kids will love it.
7. “The Greatest Show” by The Greatest Showman Cast
If your kids want to improve their performing skills, this song is for you.
“The Greatest Show” is a musical-style song with solid energy.
It’s taken from “The Greatest Showman” movie with Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya.
8. “It’s A Small World” by Disney
“It’s A Small World” is a classic among kids’ songs.
It’s a rather old children’s song, but it has an atmosphere that will cheer everyone up.
After all, when it comes to animated movies and unforgettable kid tunes, nothing beats Disney.
9. “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book
When it comes to iconic Disney songs, “Bare Necessities” is one of the best.
It’s sweet and cheerful but also thoughtful.
It will remind your kid of what’s really important.
It has a good rhythm and catchy chorus so it can be categorized as a kids’ dancing song.
10. “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King
Another unforgettable Disney tune is “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King.
‘Hakuna matata’ means ‘no worries’ in Swahili, and that’s the message of the song.
If you’re throwing a kids’ party soon, this tune will undoubtedly make everyone happy.
It’s simply one of the best kids’ songs of all time.
11. “I Like To Move It” by Will.i.am
Without a doubt, “I Like To Move It” is one of the most popular dance songs for kids.
It’s a part of the animated movie “Madagascar” from 2005.
To be more precise, it’s from that memorable scene when the whole jungle starts dancing.
So it’s impossible not to move when this tune comes up.
12. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
“Macarena” by Los Del Rio is a dance party classic.
It’s a good song for kids to dance to because you can teach them the whole choreography.
Dance moves are simple and easy to memorize.
Teaching kids the macarena dance will help them improve their coordination and memory, and also engage them in a fun activity.
13. “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
“Rain On Me” is one of the upbeat songs to dance to.
It’s ideal for a birthday party playlist if your kid is familiar with Ariana Grande or Lady Gaga.
Either way, it’s a fun pop song about two people who fall in love.
14. “Magic” by B.o.B.
This is one of the songs that will get the whole family moving.
It has the right energy level and a catchy beat.
“Magic” might be exactly what your kids need to get rid of that extra energy before calming down to go to bed.
15. “Adventure Of A Lifetime” by Coldplay
“Adventure Of A Lifetime” is a sweet, groovy song released in 2015.
It was a big hit when it came out, and you can still frequently hear it on the radio.
Either way, the song talks about feeling alive and spreading that good energy.
Thanks to its genuine, lively vibes, it’s definitely a good tune for kids to enjoy.
16. “MMMBop” by Hanson
“MMMBop” is an ultimate 90s feel-good song.
Maybe your kids aren’t familiar with it, but they will surely love it.
MMMBop as a word represents time, so it’s a song about the futility of life.
It’s a good reminder that we need to try and enjoy every moment.
17. “ABC” by Jackson 5
If you’re looking for fun songs for kids to dance to, you can’t go wrong with Jackson 5.
After all, the band also includes the King of Pop.
And if you pay attention to the lyrics, you could say the song is also educational.
Either way, kids around the world grew up jamming to it.
18. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
Generally speaking, “Dancing Queen” is one of the greatest dance songs of all time.
Everybody loves it, from parents and kids to grandparents.
The song doesn’t have a complex story behind it.
It’s simply about feeling good and enjoying little things in life without worrying about the future.
19. “Wannabe” by Spice Girls
“Wannabe” is another timeless hit.
And many young girls were mesmerized by Spice Girls in the 90s.
And the group’s signature song is incredibly catchy and uplifting.
So, add this to the kids’ dance playlist and turn the volume up.
20. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is a 70’s classic.
The song is sweet and catchy, and it could also be a great kids’ karaoke song.
It talks about believing in yourself and following your dreams.
You can achieve whatever you put your mind to, and every kid should know that too.
21. “Zero to Hero” from Hercules
Another kids’ song ideal for building confidence is “Zero To Hero” from the “Hercules” Disney movie.
But it’s also a groovy dance party song.
The lyrics revolve around Hercules and his adventures.
He managed to overcome all the obstacles and become a legendary hero.
22. “Barbie Girl” by Aqua
We don’t have to make a big introduction for this song.
It’s simply one of the songs that everyone knows.
“Barbie Girl” was released in 1997, and it was a number-one hit for four weeks.
It remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
23. “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel
One thing is for sure: “Frozen” is one of the most beloved animated movies of the past decade.
It’s about a girl named Anna who travels with a mountaineer and his reindeer to save their kingdom.
And the song from the movie became a universal hit.
That being said, you should definitely add “Let It Go” to your kid’s party playlist.
24. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons
“Thunder” isn’t necessarily a kids’ song, but it will create a cool and exciting atmosphere at your kids’ party.
Lyrically, the song is about following your dreams.
It’s also about believing in yourself and appreciating your uniqueness.
In a way, the song takes us to the time when the singer was a kid and a dreamer.
25. “Twist And Shout” by The Beatles
“Twist And Shout” is another tune that will cheer up everyone, both children and parents.
It’s an ultimate feel-good song and a Beatles classic.
Plus, it’s ideal for learning some retro dance moves.
26. “Wavin’ Flag” by K’NAAN
“Wavin’ Flag” is a great song for kids’ celebrations.
In the song, K’naan shares the words of his grandfather.
He believed that he would get stronger when he got older, and that got him through tough times.
Besides conveying the message of hope and strength, the song is also very uplifting and catchy.
27. “Dance Monkey” by TONES AND I
“Dance Monkey” became an instant hit in 2019.
The song is quirky and contagious, and it can definitely be one of the fun songs for kids to dance to.
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh oh oh…
28. “Hokey Pokey” by Black Lace
Every country has its own version of “Hokey Pokey” by Black Lace.
It’s an iconic kids’ song that originates in British folk dance.
The UK version is called “Hokey Cokey” and it has many variants attested as early as 1826.
But the song became a chart hit twice in the 1980s.
29. “Party In The U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus released “Party In The U.S.A.” while she was still in her Hannah Montana phase.
Therefore, it’s one of the clean party songs, and kids around the world love it.
It’s a perfect summer tune full of carefree vibes.
30. “Let Me Entertain You” by Robbie Williams
“Let Me Entertain You” is a great tune for little rockstars.
It’s Robbie Williams’ signature song and one of the most fun rock songs.
And it will certainly entertain everyone in the house.
31. “Be OK” by Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Michaelson’s “Be OK” is calmer than typical children’s dance songs, but it’s great.
You can dance to it, but you can also listen to it with your kid.
It’s a good song to allow your child to get to know their emotions.
32. “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend
If you want your kid to get into some indie rock, “A-Punk” is a good song to start with.
The song is upbeat and quirky.
And nobody knows what the lyrics actually mean, but they’re not the most important thing here anyway.
The important thing is to dance to it – and that won’t be a problem.
33. “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid
“The Little Mermaid” is yet another beloved Disney classic from the 90s.
Therefore, “Under The Sea” is an essential song for your playlist.
It’s a catchy tropical tune that will lift everyone’s spirits up.
You can make your kids believe they’re having a proper underwater party.
34. “Riptide” by Vance Joy
“Riptide” is a famous indie song about love.
But the lyrics are subtle and lively melodies take over everything.
Therefore, it’s a good song for kids to jump around to.
But it’s also a great road trip song that the whole family can enjoy.
35. “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb
This is arguably one of the most groovy kids’ dance songs.
Turn the volume up and do as Peaches & Herb suggest – show the world you can dance.
“Shake Your Groove Thing” was released in 1978 but it still rocks.
And we hope your kids will love it too.
36. “Roar” by Katy Perry
“Roar” is a fun and sweet kid-friendly pop song.
But it’s also very inspiring.
It conveys an important message that you need to believe in yourself and work for your dreams.
Let your kids be little champions and roaring tigers.
37. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
Another song that will make your kid feel invincible is “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.
It’s an easy yet powerful tune with simple lyrics.
But the message it conveys is essential.
You shouldn’t ever stop fighting for your dreams.
38. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
“Thriller” is an iconic Halloween party song.
But it’s also one of the best dance songs for kids.
Of course, if your kid is afraid of werewolves, you should skip the music video.
Nonetheless, this way your kid will get to know some iconic songs from another music era.
39. “Try Everything” by Shakira
Shakira recorded “Try Everything” for the animated film “Zootopia.”
It’s an uplifting and encouraging song with a powerful message for kids.
It’s about making mistakes and not giving up despite everything.
As one of the verses says: ‘Sometimes we come last, but we did our best.’
40. “Let’s Be Young” by Evan McHugh
“Let’s Be Young” is a very sweet song about childhood.
It has a cheerful atmosphere and heartfelt lyrics.
The song really captures the essence of the innocent, playful freedom you experience as a child.
41. “Mickey” by Toni Basil
Hey, Mickey!
“Mickey” by Toni Basil is a cheerleading anthem.
But it’s also a great song for kids to dance to.
It has lively vibes and catchy rhymes.
The song’s title refers to a group member Micky Dolenz, but you can tell your kid it’s about Mickey Mouse.
42. “All Star” by Smash Mouth
“All Star” by Smash Mouth is one of the most popular rock songs of the 90s.
It’s incredibly catchy and uplifting, and it will make your kid feel like a rockstar.
Plus, it was featured in the Shrek movie.
43. “Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets
Why not introduce your little ones to some good old rock and roll?
“Rock Around The Clock” is a timeless classic.
It’s a fun kid-friendly song thanks to its catchy rhythm and cheerful melodies.
It’s all you need to explore some new dance moves in the living room.
44. “Boomerang” by JoJo Siwa
“Boomerang” by JoJo Siwa is regarded as one of the popular kids’ dance party songs.
Therefore, you can consider including it in your list.
After all, it’s a genuine kids’ song – JoJo Siwa was only 12 when she recorded the song.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of friendship and staying true to yourself.
45. “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” from Cinderella
“Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” is undeniably one of the best kids’ songs of all time.
It’s upbeat, funny, and whimsical.
Listening to it will make your kids feel like they’re part of a Disney fairy tale.
And that’s sometimes the purpose of music made for kids – it should allow them to believe in magic.
Wrapping Up Our List of the Best Kids Dance Songs
As you can see, our list of music for kids to dance to is quite versatile.
But all of these songs are great for children in one way or another.
At the end of the day, maybe you enjoyed this playlist too – the best kids’ dance songs can be fun for everyone!
Recap
10 Best Dance Songs for Kids to Get Them Moving:
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “Dynamite” by BTS
- “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong
- “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- “When Can I See You Again?” by Owl City
- “The Greatest Show” by The Greatest Showman
- “It’s A Small World” by Disney
- “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book
- “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King
- “I Like To Move It” by will.i.am
FAQs
Why is dancing good for kids?
Dancing is good for kids because it provides physical activity, builds coordination and balance, encourages creativity, helps to improve social skills, and can be a great way to express emotions.
What is the most popular dance kids?
The following are all popular kids dances.
The Whip/Nae Nae
The Shoot
The Floss, also known as The Backpack Kid Dance
The Git Up Dance
The Toosie Slide
The Savage Dance
What are good upbeat songs for kids?
The following are all good upbeat songs for kids.
Happy – Pharell
Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Kids in America – Kim Wilde
Try Everything – Shakira
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
September – Earth, Wind & Fire
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