The Best 20 Love Songs for Kids: Adored by Parents and Kids
In my family, we show love for each other in the typical ways you might expect—hugs, I love you‘s, and playing our favorite games together.
But one of our go-to ways to communicate love might be a little non-standard: song lyrics.
When one of my kids feels sad or we need to repair our connection after a tough moment, I’ll play one of our favorite love songs for kids. Then depending on whether it’s a mellow or an upbeat song, we’ll cuddle up on the couch or have an impromptu dance party. Or sometimes while they’re busy making art or building with LEGOs, I queue up a special song and say, “Hey, listen to this. It makes me think of you.”
And it works, every time. Because research shows that listening to music together creates healthy bonds and builds positive memories.1Wallace, J. B. (2015, April 3). The Right Way to Do Family Time. The Wall Street Journal.
But Here’s the Problem With Love Songs for Kids
Most love songs aren’t all that kid-friendly. Often, love song lyrics are clearly about the romantic love of a couple. And I’m guessing playing “When a Man Loves a Woman” for your kid probably isn’t the effect you’re going for.
Plus, many love songs’ lyrics are flat-out not appropriate for kids.
Obviously, you would never want to play an overtly risqué love song for your child, but a lot of love songs have at least a line or two that could create an uncomfortable moment when you play them for your child and you’re both paying close attention to the lyrics.
But here’s the real kicker when it comes to love songs for kids: The songs that are specifically made for kids tend to be so saccharine you can’t help but cringe, and they often sound like they could be the theme song to an obnoxious kids’ TV show. Swinging wildly to the other end of the spectrum, the songs written about a parent’s love for a child are typically so slow they could put you right to sleep.
The best love songs for kids are the ones you and your child will actually want to listen to together.
Related: 17 Best Kids’ Dance Songs That Parents Actually Love, Too
The Best Love Songs for Kids That Will Make Your Child Smile
Because love songs are one of my family’s favorite ways to connect and show our love for each other, I’ve been curating a huge playlist of love songs for kids over the years.
Below, I’m sharing the absolute best love songs for kids so that you can share them with your own child. I’ve double- and triple-checked the lyrics to make sure they are 100 percent kid-friendly. Not only that, many of these are specifically parent-to-child songs about unconditional love for a child.
Go ahead and create a playlist now so that the next time you experience a moment of disconnection with your child or you feel overwhelmed with your love for them, you’re ready to go with the perfect love songs for kids.
Whether you listen to these kid-friendly love songs together while you cuddle or you break out into an impromptu dance party, your child will feel secure in your love for them. And that stronger connection will pay off in the form of greater cooperation, fewer power struggles, and the kind of loving parent-child relationship that will last into the teenage years and beyond.
1. All Ways by Elliott Park
This is probably my favorite of all the love songs for children in this list. Starting when my youngest was two years old, he loved the “stinky feet” line. Giggles guaranteed, every time!
If you like this song, be sure to give the rest of the Just Be album a listen because it’s kid-friendly and fun for parents, too.
Quick heads up: If you live in an area where this word might be an issue, beware that this song mentions a “fanny pack” near the end. This is the American name for what’s referred to as a “bum bag” in some other countries.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
2. Mama’s Sunshine, Daddy’s Rain by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors
These lyrics are perfection. Here’s a taste for you:
All day long, right or wrong, you question everything.
Why the grass is green, can I stay up late, and why do the bluebirds sing?
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
3. I Care by Tom T. Hall
This song never gets old. Every time it comes on, I can’t help but smile! And because it’s full of warmth, we love using this one as a “goodnight” song before sending our kids off to bed.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
4. The Lotto by Ingrid Michaelson with AJR
The lyrics of this song aren’t specifically about a parent’s unconditional love for a child, but the message translates 100 percent: all we need is each other.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
5. The Best Day by Taylor Swift
This song is told from the perspective of a child to their mother, and it has all the feels.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
6. Brand New Day by Lindsey Ray with Tim Myers
Queue up this one when you need a reset button or when you want to start the day off right.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
7. All Smiles by Jess Penner
Full of childlike imagery, this happy song is sure to make you smile.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
8. For My Daughter by Kane Brown
Kane Brown wrote this song for his little girl, and the lyrics about that special bond between a parent and child are powerful. But even though it’s from a dad to a daughter, just one line at the end mentions “baby girl,” so I still dance to this one with my son!
Someone to play catch with, out in the backyard
To pick up the pieces of your first broken heart
Someone to say slow down when you turn sixteen
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
9. You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
You might recognize this one from the Toy Story soundtrack, but the lyrics are perfect for a parent to a child, too:
You got troubles, I’ve got ’em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and see it through
‘Cause you’ve got a friend in me
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
10. Count on Me by Bruno Mars
How sweet are these lyrics?
If you tossin’ and you’re turnin’ and you just can’t fall asleep
I’ll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
11. Wild + Free by Andrew Simple
This song perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of childhood.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
12. You’re a Part of Me by Jillian Edwards with Zach Berkman
When one of my kids is struggling with separation anxiety or nighttime fears, I often repeat these lyrics to help calm them and remind them that we’re always connected, even when we’re apart: You’re a part of me.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
13. Let’s Go by Handsome and Gretyl
The imagery of this song always gets my kids “flying” around the room:
Let’s fly
Go and get your wings on, run until we lift off
Oh we’ll fly
Everyone needs a little adventure in their lives
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
14. Anywhere I Go by Rebecca Roubion
Like “You’re a Part of Me” above, this song will remind your child of the powerful connection you have, even when you’re apart.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
15. A Friend Like You by Andy Grammer
This song is about two friends, but the lyrics are fun for a parent to a child, too:
Mac and cheese, PB and jelly
Some things are better together, and that’s you and me
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
16. My Little Love by The Weepies with Deb Talan and Steve Tannen
This one’s a little mellower than some others on this list, but it still has enough of a beat that it won’t put you to sleep!
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
17. Life’s What You Make It by Graham Colton
This is one of those love songs for kids that also shares a powerful life lesson.
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
18. Couldn’t Ask for a Better Friend by Michael Logen
This is something I often tell my kids, and I love having a song to reinforce it, too:
Any time you call
Anything you need
You know you can always count on me
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
19. Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
This song perfectly captures the bittersweet emotions of parenthood and watching your child grow up. I dare you not to cry as you listen to this one!
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
20. Family by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors
When this song comes on, my whole family starts bopping along. So much fun!
Listen: Apple Music | Amazon Music
Bonus: How to Reconnect After a Tough Moment With Your Child
Research shows that in happy relationships, you need a ratio of five positive interactions to every one negative interaction. This is called the Magic 5:1 Ratio.
In other words, after a negative interaction with your child, you need to reconnect through a positive moment or two so you can close the distance between you and your child. Because if you don’t close that gap and your child feels a lack of connection, that will lead to more unnecessary power struggles and less cooperation from your child when you ask them to do something.
But unfortunately, when your brain is flooded with stress hormones in the moment, it’s incredibly difficult to think of something fun and sweet to do with your child so you can reconnect.
Which is why I created these Family Connection Cards, based on the science of what actually works when you need to reconnect. These cards remove the mental burden of figuring out how to reconnect with your child so you can just focus on nurturing your bond with your child. At any point during your day, you can pick a card to get a quick and simple idea for connecting.
And in just 10 minutes a day, these powerful cards will make your child feel absolutely loved and stop the power struggles caused by disconnection.
Get the Spotify Playlist
If you use Spotify, head over to this Spotify playlist and click the heart button to add the list of songs to your own Spotify library. Bonus: As I discover new love songs for kids, you’ll get extra songs not yet featured in this post!
Want More?
For love songs to share with your partner, check out 75+ of the Best Unknown Love Songs.
Before you go, get my FREE cheat sheet: 75 Positive Phrases Every Child Needs to Hear
Your Turn
What are your favorite love songs for kids? Share in a comment below!
Kelly this is a FANTASTIC list–thanks so much! One of my favorites is “You and Me” by Frances England…it fits your list perfectly and all three of my kids still love it after several years! “Yesterday you were asleep in my arms; today you’re growing off the charts. I’m so proud of you.” So sweet–plus wonderful imagery of happy parent/child moments like riding bikes, reading books together, and practicing donkey kicks! Betcha you’ll love it! :)
I’ll be there by Walk off the earth. My kids are getting older (13 and 10) and the chorus talks about how if you need a ride after drinking too much I’ll come get you. So not appropriate for all ages, but it has certainly sparked some interesting conversations in our house!
My first thought was 500 Miles by The Proclaimers but there is one line about being drunk. I never noticed it was there until checking the lyrics based on this post.
Guy Sebastian – Big Bad World
This is wonderful! Thank you!
Thank you, this is a lovely list.
This was exactly what I needed for this weekend! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Thank u so much for doing this what an awesome idea. This will create memories forever.
Thanks for including our song in the list! Glad it makes your kids happy!
Do you have this on a Spotify playlist which I can access? Not skilled with tech or music, but thought would b fun for our upcoming road trip
Hi Sarah! Sure thing. :-) Here’s a Spotify playlist you can play on your road trip. Safe travels!
My thoughts exactly!!!!….?
Loved. The list … surely will be listening and re listening with the kids
I’ve been singing My Girl to, my girl. I think it’s by the Commodores… I wasn’t paying attention and it was playing in the store and my daughter realized what the song was and she lit up.
Why can’t I get your Playlist to open in Spotify? When I search it doesn’t come up either…I’m a little tech challenged these days, so I’m sure it’s a me problem, but am I missing something??
The One and Only You by The Juicebox Jukebox. ??? THANK YOU! These are truly lovely!!! You’re the beat for sharing exactly what my family needs when we need it. ?
“The One Who Knows” by Dar Williams
It’s a beautiful lullaby about a parent’s love, and letting the child soar. We have had it in our bedtime playlist for years.
Maybe a little cheesy but I love it – “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
I hope you dance by Leeann Womack is AMAZING and always gets me in the feels when I think about my kids ?
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So great to read this article and find things that I’d like sharing with my daughter in law and my daughter so they can use it with their kids! I definitely think they both will love it as I did! Thank you for helping us! ????
why are most of these older songs??????? kids what like only newer songs
Do you know Elizabeth Mitchell songs? So many favorites. Like “Little Sack of Sugar”.