15 Top Kids Pop Songs to Make Every Child Sing and Dance

Children love songs and even if they cannot fully relate to the lyrics, they are often drawn to the music for its catchy melodic hooks, lively beats, and engaging chord progressions. Kids pop songs have a unique way of capturing young listeners’ attention, making them dance, sing along, and enjoy the rhythm. Whether it’s a playful tune or an upbeat track, these songs create joyful moments for children. If you are looking for some fun and energetic pop music for kids with child-appropriate lyrics, check out the following collection! You’ll find a variety of tracks that are perfect for entertaining little ones while keeping the content wholesome and enjoyable.

Popular Kid-friendly Pop Songs

Switch to mainstream tunes with clean lyrics, with some of the best pop songs that kids will love!

1. “Happy” — Pharrell Williams

About the Song:

Just like the title suggests, the happy tune of this pop song for kids will get you and your family dancing crazily around the room. Moreover, if your children love the minions from the Despicable Me movie, then they would definitely love to watch the official video and dance around the house!

2. “Count on Me” — Bruno Mars

About the Song:

While Bruno Mars is not popular for children-appropriate songs, this one is definitely an exception because it is about friendship and counting on the people you love.

3. “Firework” — Katy Perry

About the Song:

The song sends a beautiful message reminding everybody about how special they are and how they should throw away their insecurities. This is a wonderful, kid-friendly pop song.

4. “Brave” — Sara Bareilles

About the Song:

The song “Brave” is all about courage and how we should learn to speak up about everything instead of bottling up all our sorrow and anger. It really sends an empowering and a wonderful message and, no matter how old you are, you will definitely enjoy the song.

5. “Can’t Stop the Feeling” — Justin Timberlake

About the Song:

This song was recorded for the animated movie “Trolls” and is one of the best Justin Timberlake songs of all time. Moreover, it was the best-selling song in 2016 and is definitely worth making your children listen to.

6. “Fireflies” — Owl City

About the Song:

While a lot of good pop songs out there are about overcoming obstacles, empowerment, or simply being there for each other, ‘Fireflies’ is a bit different. It is a simple, fun song complete with dream-like images, making it worth listening to while watching the video.

7. “Thunder” — Imagine Dragons

About the Song:

This upbeat and invigorating song will inspire both kids and adults. The lyrics are all about shattering people’s expectations and achieving goals. Kids may not like the official video, but you can show them the lyrical video below which has beautiful illustrations.

8. “Airplanes” — B.o.B (Featuring Hayley Williams)

About the Song:

Even if your children are too little to understand the rap in a few verses, they will definitely love the tune and the main chorus of the song. This is a wonderful pop song appropriate for school-age kids.

9. “What Makes You Beautiful” — One Direction

About the Song:

Every family must definitely have at least one enthusiastic teenager who would love this ever-popular song of One Direction. Once this beautiful song is hitting the speakers of your party, you are sure to hear some excited squeals from your guests!

10. “Fight Song” — Rachel Platten

About the Song:

The theme of the song is about getting through the times you feel small and lost. It also has a wonderful tune, and no matter how old your children are, they would love it.

11. “Best Day of My Life” – American Authors

About the Song:

This upbeat, feel-good anthem is perfect for kids with its catchy melody and positive lyrics about enjoying life’s best moments. The whistling intro makes it instantly recognizable and fun to sing along to!

12. “Roar” – Katy Perry

About the Song:

A powerful song about self-confidence and overcoming challenges, “Roar” is an empowering pop track for kids. Its bold chorus and uplifting message make it great for boosting little ones’ spirits.

13. “I Like to Move It” – will.i.am (Madagascar Version)

About the Song:

This hyper-energetic EDM-pop hybrid from Madagascar is a clean pop song that turns any space into a dance floor! With silly animal sounds and simple repetitive lyrics, it’s specially designed to get wiggles out. Perfect for indoor recess or after-school energy release.

14. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin

About the Song:

A timeless classic, this acapella tune teaches kids to stay positive no matter what. The cheerful whistling and simple lyrics make it easy for children to learn and enjoy.

15. “Try Everything” – Shakira

About the Song:

From Disney’s Zootopia, this lively pop song encourages kids to never give up, even when they make mistakes. With its infectious rhythm and inspiring message about perseverance, it’s a perfect motivational anthem for young listeners!

FAQs

1. Can pop songs help with my child’s language development?

Yes! Catchy pop songs with repetitive lyrics and clear pronunciation can boost vocabulary, improve speech rhythm, and even help with bilingual learning. Fun pop songs with call-and-response parts are especially effective.

2. How do I handle songs with fast or complex lyrics?

Try slowing down the song (using the platform’s playback speed settings) for practice, focusing on the chorus first, or creating simple hand motions to match keywords. Even misheard lyrics can be a fun learning opportunity!

3. Are there pop songs that can calm hyperactive kids?

Surprisingly, yes! Upbeat songs with a steady rhythm can actually help regulate energy by providing structured movement. For winding down, opt for mid-tempo songs with smooth melodies.

Finding the right type of pop for kids can sometimes be challenging, as they may not have age-appropriate lyrics. However, there are some songs that kids can listen to and enjoy without any fear. With this collection, your kids are sure to have a fun time!

Also Read:

Party Songs for Children
Dance Songs for Kids
Worship Songs for Children
Action Songs for Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kids

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.