Toddler songs are an absolute must-have if you have one or two-year-olds around. Toddlers need snacks, music, and naps!
Finding the right toddler song is like finding magic with little ones. It can change their mood, help them listen better, and even teach them new skills!
We’ve put together some of our all-time favorite songs for one-year-olds and two-year-olds, and we think you’ll actually love them too.
If you need some more resources for teaching toddlers, check out our toddler lesson plans!
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Toddler Songs
Let’s start with some of the favorites – a mix of nursery rhymes and other songs for toddlers that you may have heard of or might already love. Then stick around for some newer songs for one-year-olds and songs for two-year-olds that are sure to become beloved favorites as well!
Shake your Sillies Out by The Learning Station
There’s no better way to start than with a great movement and action song for toddlers and preschoolers! Kids can’t resist the fun beat and interactive directions of this song.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Patty Shukla
Who doesn’t love Old MacDonald and his menagerie? This is a classic song for toddlers — and for good reason! It introduces some great early concepts such as animal names and sounds.
If You’re Happy and You Know It by Jack Hartmann
Something that makes a song perfect for toddlers is repetition! “If you’re happy and you know it” is repeated…repeatedly…in this song, which makes it PERFECT for kids and toddlers. Kids can pick up the tune and sing along very quickly, which makes them more likely to engage and follow along. I also love this song for its rhythm. Clapping/patting/stomping along with the beat engages little bodies and brains in a whole new way!
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Elizabeth Mitchell
Most toddlers are already familiar with this song, so it’s a great one to have in your back pocket! You can add motions and make it a finger play, use it a calming music during rest time or nap time, or pair it with a sensory activity.
Mr. Sun by Raffi
This is another song for toddlers that is very easy to adapt to a lot of different situations! Add motions or tie it into a science or weather unit.
Baby Beluga by Raffi
You may have loved this song as a kid yourself – time to introduce one of the best ever children’s songs to the next generation! There is a reason that this toddler song has enchanted generations, and it is absolutely perfect for learning about the ocean.
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Twinkle Little Songs
A classic fingerplay for kids. If the traditional thumb-and-finger alternating pattern is a bit tricky for little ones who still need work honing those fine motor skills, you can group all your fingers on each hand together, then bring your hands together while twisting like you would with the original motion.
Baby Shark Dance by Pinkfong
Enough said.
Just kidding. 🙂 I know, I know. You might be tired of hearing the Baby Shark song over and over. BUT did you know that listening to Baby Shark (doo doo doo doo doo doo) is actually doing amazing things in your child’s brain?! Read more about the educational benefits of Baby Shark!
Animal Farm by Nancy Kopman
This adorable song by our friend Nancy Kopman has a lot of elements that make it an amazing song for toddlers! Animal names and sounds, an easily repeatable melody, and super cute animations. I also love how she goes backward through all the animal sounds, engaging those little brains to think of what comes next!
Butterfly Driving a Truck by Caspar Babypants
Toddlers love to have FUN and be silly! What’s more fun than a butterfly driving a truck in this silly song for kids?!
Stompy the Bear by Caspar Babypants
I love this fun little song, and I highly suspect you and your kids will too! The chorus is very repetitive and easy. It also includes color recognition and some fun rhyming words!
Train Song by Charlie Hope
Most toddlers love trains and train noises, so they’ll be sucked right in to this toddler song. Then follow her simple instructions to stomp and pull your arm along to the beat! Whoo wooo!
Shake, Shake, Shake by Nancy Kopman
Any song where a word is repeated three times in the title means it’s going to be a great song for toddlers! This is a great one to sing in circle time with maracas, simple egg shakers, or even scarves.
Victor Vito by The Laurie Berkner Band
Victor Vito is a must-hear song with some fantastic rhyming! The call-and-response in the chorus makes it very engaging, and it’s just plain FUN!
Pig on Her Head by Laurie Berkner
Animals hanging out on heads – what could be more fun?! Even my “big” first grader has a blast singing this song and frequently requests it! As you can imagine, it reinforces animal names and also introduces some social studies by naming different family members.
Here is the Beehive by Alina Celeste
Alina Celeste’s charming interpretation of this fun fingerplay has been a hit with little learners both in the library, classroom and at home! This one can be incorporated into a lesson/theme on bees or counting.
We’re Going on a Lion Hunt by The Kiboomers
A fun new twist on a classic song! The call and response is PERFECT for toddlers and younger kids, as all they have to do is mimic what you say. Add some fun actions and you’ve got a great circle time song, or one to have in your back pocket when you need to fill a few minutes!
If you’ve enjoyed these toddler songs, please check out our other song compilations! There are lots for toddlers and older kids, too!
Educational Songs
- Rhyming Songs for Kids
- ABC and Alphabet Songs
- Days of the Week Songs
- The Ultimate Guide to Preschool Songs
- Rainbow Songs for Kids
- Clean Up Songs
Start and End your Day with Music!
Circle Time Songs
Music and Movement Songs
Seasonal Songs
- Fall Songs for Preschool
- Pumpkin and Halloween Songs for Kids
- Thanksgiving Songs for Kids
- Christmas Songs for Kids
- Winter Songs for Kids
- Christmas Songs for Kids - December 9, 2022
- Song Sticks - August 30, 2022
- The Best Rhyming Songs for Kids - August 2, 2022
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