What is a party without music? Music is what turns your gathering of friends, family, and children into a proper fiesta! It puts a rhythm in your step and a need to move in your bones. With the childrens party music, you can turn even a simple affair into a full-on spectacle.

The Challenge of Finding Quality Childrens Party Songs

If you’ve listened to the music that is popular today, you’ll definitely notice that there is a lot that is inappropriate about the songs and lyrics. A good deal of the pop/dance music around today is unsuitable for kids, due to mature and suggestive lyrics.

Finding good childrens party songs and music can be quite the challenge. After all, you don’t want your kids listening to songs with lyrics referring to sex acts, violence, drugs, and so on. So how can you find childrens party music and songs that are age-appropriate? Many of the age-appropriate songs lack the driving rhythm that makes pop music such a great addition to your party.

You’ll be pleased to know that we’ve come up with a list of the best children’s party songs for you to play at your kids’ party. The lyrics are all age-appropriate, and you’ll love the way the music infuses your party with a desire to get up and dance!

The Best Childrens Party Songs

If you want only the best childrens party music, the songs listed below are the ones you want. You can find them all on YouTube, making it easy to curate a playlist for your kids’ party.

Enjoy the age-appropriate, dance-worthy music. Your kids certainly will!

Something That I Want by Grace Potter

If this song sounds familiar, it is because it was used on the soundtrack for the popular Disney movie Tangled.

Written by Grace Potter, singer for the rock band The Nocturnals, the song was released in 2010, where it became a hit as one of the best songs in the Tangled soundtrack.

The beat is simple and fun, with a very “pop” sound that is uptempo and easy to get moving to. It makes great background music for games, or you can play it as the song to get your kids dancing. Definitely a fun one to add to your party.

Best of all, the lyrics are uplifting and positive. It’s all about being open to new experiences and looking for the fresh and new in the world. For children who are just exploring their limitations and freedoms, it’s a perfect tune!

Roar by Katy Perry

Released in 2013 as part of her album Prism, this Katy Perry song is one of her finest. Not only does it have music that makes you (and your kids) want to move, but the lyrics are uplifting and inspiring.

The song is essentially a modern version of “Eye of the Tiger”, with a theme of “picking yourself up after failures and keep struggling on”. It’s a personal empowerment song that will especially resonate with female audiences, and it’s a song ALL children will have heard.

The beat is “pop-y” and driving, and your kids will have a blast moving in time with the music. More active kids will love to put their own interpretive dance spin on this song. This is definitely a great tune to kick the party up a notch!

Shake it Off by Taylor Swift

What could be better than a song by Taylor Swift that encourages your kids to “shake off” the negative in their lives?

Released as part of Taylor Swift’s 2014 album 1989, this song went on to become one of her top songs–debuting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won a People’s Choice Award and was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.

All TayTay-loving kids will immediately hit the dance floor when they hear this song, which has a catchy, uptempo beat. They’ll get moving and grooving in no time as Taylor Swift’s voice sings about “shaking off” negativity. It’s an anti-bullying, anti-gossip song that can help your kids to have a positive attitude, making it one of the best songs to expose your kids to!

Let it Go by Idina Menzel

Everyone has seen the hit Disney movie Frozen, so your kids will all be familiar with the song Let it Go.

Released for the soundtrack of the 2013 movie, Let it Go was written specifically for the movie’s theme. It won an Academy Award for the Best Original Song in 2014, and became the fifth best-selling song of the year.

The song starts out slowly, but it has a steady build to the climax when the character Elsa seems to break free of the things that hold her back. Your children will love this crescendo – it’s especially good for a girls’ party.

The theme of the song is to let go of whatever is holding you back, and break free of personal, emotional, and mental confines. It’s an uplifting song that will inspire your kids as they dance.

Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine

Indie rock band Florence and the Machine may not be the most child-friendly, but this particular song is one you’ll want to play for your kids!

Released in 2011 as part of the studio album Ceremonials, this song was nominated for a Grammy Award.

The song starts out slowly, but your children will have a blast with interpretive/contemporary dance as the beat picks up and the tempo rises. The music, which starts out fairly melancholic, rises to a passion-filled crescendo.

The song speaks of “shaking out of” problems and challenges, and letting go of bad habits, patterns, and behavior. It’s about a personal “reboot”, a theme all of us can identify with!

A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay

Coldplay’s songs are usually more melancholic, but this song is a much more upbeat, positive one.

Released on May 2nd, 2014, this song was nominated for a Grammy Award and sat on the Top 10 chart in more than 16 countries around the world.

Unlike most Coldplay songs, this one was written as a dance song–using EDM/house music to kick things up a notch. Your children will have a blast jumping and dancing to this classic EDM song.

The lyrics are happy and positive, with an emphasis on the love between two people. It’s just a happy, fun song to listen to!

One Minute More by Capital Cities

This song may not be your usual party fare, but if you want a happy, upbeat song to play in the background, it’s a great choice.

Released as a standalone song on April 14th, 2011, this indie pop tune has appeared in Iron Man 3 and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The music is upbeat and positive, with a happy tempo that will get your kids tapping their feet and moving to the tune. It’s not a driving dance beat, but it’s perfect for a background song to play as you cut the cake or play games.

The lyrics and music video have the theme of “joy and sorrow in balance”. Your children have plenty of both good and bad in their lives, and this song will help them to get through the bad. After all, “the sun will shine”!

On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons

This song is one of the few upbeat songs by alternative rock band Imagine Dragons. It’s happy, fun, and a great song for your kids to shake to!

Originally released on March 18th, 2013, the song has been used in a wide range of media: advertisements, video games, TV shows, and movies.

The music is happy and spirited, with a beat that your kids can’t help but want to move to. If you have a bounce castle or trampoline, this is the perfect song to get them jumping and having a blast.

The lyrics are upbeat and inspiring as well. The song says “I’m on top of the world”, and it infuses you with that feeling of happiness that comes from success and achievement. It’s a great song for kids, and will kick your party up a notch!

I’m a Believer by Smashmouth

This is an old-school song for those who want to keep it fresh and mix it up. Definitely an upbeat song to add to your party playlist.

Originally released in 1966 by The Monkees, the song hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed there for 4 weeks. Your kids will no doubt recognize it from the end of the movie Shrek, where it was performed by Smashmouth.

The music is happy and spirited, with a positive tone that will put a smile on your kids’ face. With the driving beat and fun chorus, your kids will get moving in no time.

The song is all about romance and love. The lyrics say “Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer” – a believer in love.

Eye of the Tiger

Nothing sets the tone for a party like breaking out this old-school hit! For a boy’s birthday party, this is the song to intro the birthday boy.

Released on May 29th, 1982 by rock band Survivor, this song won a Grammy Award and has been featured in dozens of movies, TV shows, ads, and video games. It’s a song you’ll hear played EVERYWHERE!

The music is guaranteed to get your kids onto the dance floor, as the driving beat is infectious and will put the need to move in their bones. It’s a fight song, one that will have your kids leaping, jumping, and playing in no time.

The lyrics are also uplifting and positive. The song speaks about surviving difficult times, and keeping on fighting no matter what. Definitely a song to play at your kids’ party!

Gangnam Style by PSY

It may not be the most positive or uplifting of songs, but it’s one heck of a party tune! If you want your kids to hit the dance floor, this is the song to kick things off.

Released in 2012 by Korean K-pop musician PSY, this song was the first YouTube video to crack 1 billion views. It is currently the most-watched video on YouTube, with over 2.56 billion views.

The music is driving and upbeat, with a style that is guaranteed to get your kids moving. Plus, they’re all very familiar with the song, and they’ve loved to dance to it for years.

The lyrics are all in Korean, and though they talk about living a wealthy life, your kids won’t understand the meaning of the words. They’ll just love the pounding rhythm, and the song will put a smile on their faces.

When DJing a kids’ party, it’s vital that you choose the right music. You can’t just find music that will make them want to dance, but you have to look for music with a positive, uplifting message as much as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best childrens party songs for you. By playing the songs on this list, you can make your kids’ party awesome but still keep the message inspiring.

Which of these songs are YOUR favorite dance tunes? Got any more songs you think deserves a place on this list? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think…