When it comes to choosing classical music tracks for kids to listen to, people often don’t know where to start. I have experimented with many tracks over the years and so come armed with plenty of suggestions that have been tried and tested and are guaranteed to go down well. Here is my definitive list of music that gets kids moving, good for background for crafting or to encourage creativity.
If you’re after classical music tracks for kids in order to set a relaxed and calm environment, check out this playlist.
People often ask what equipment I use for playing musical excerpts in music lessons. Of course if you have the original CDs you can play them with a conventional music player using a remote control for stopping and starting.
But these days the easiest way is to play them straight from youtube by using your phone or ipad and some handy bluetooth speakers. Here are two really good choices; I’d recommend the Anker Soundcore for use in an average sized room, but these JBL Flip 4 speakers pack a bit more of punch if you’re in a bigger space.
Music has many wonderful uses and it can be chosen to fit any mood or activity. Children love contrast, so don’t be frightened to mix it up a bit. So here are my top 14 classical music tracks for kids, it was supposed to be 10 but I found it difficult to be so restrained! Hopefully it will help get you started…
14 Best Classical Music Tracks For Kids
Click on the title of the song to download them!
1.Johann Strauss Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka Op. 214
Great for skipping around to, good for imaginative movement.
2. Johann Strauss Radetzky March Op 228
An obvious choice for marching, banging on drums and pretending to be a soldier!
3. Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite Op.79a
Who wouldn’t want to be a sugar plum fairy or march like a tin soldier!? Great variety- not just limited to Christmas and your children might already recognise it if they like the film Elf!
4. Elmer Bernstein The Great Escape Theme Tune
Another one for marching! Really good one to clap or drum the beat of the music to.
5. Henry Hall Orchestra Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Dancing with your favourite teddy bears to this track is compulsory!
6. Henry Hall Orchestra Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Great song which goes with the story of the Three Little Pigs. You can read the story and then sing along to the song!
7. Georges Bizet Carmen Suite #1: Les Toreadors
MORE marching! Particularly good for older children to pretend to conduct to, fantastic for expression and hours of rousing fun!
8. Edward Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March #1 Op.39
Similar to the Bizet track above, encourages similar kind of movement, kids just can’t resist joining in!
9. George Frideric Handel Water Music
Calming and floaty, group activity of floating scarves, or fantastic calming background music.
10. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Same category as the above, perfect for background to games and other activities.
11. Johann Pachelbel Canon in D
12. J.S Bach Air on the G String
As above – and one most people will recognise!
13. Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals
This is perfect for imaginative movement for slightly older (primary school age) children. Different animals are represented in the music, see if your children can guess which are which!
14. Traditional Scottish Country Dancing
Great for circle games, skipping through arches and budding river dancers!
Story of the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music! This is a great resource for anyone wanting to introduce children to the world of Classical music. Composers and instruments brought to life in a kid friendly way.
We would love to add to this list. What do you think should go on? Add your/your little ones favourites in the comments below.
For more classical music tracks for kids, check out:
- 5 Classical Music Tracks for Fairy Dancing
- Classical Music Tracks for Imaginative Play : Pirates & Adventurers
- Best Classical Music Tracks for Marching
- 14 Best Classical Music Tracks for Calm and Tranquility
Have you seen our weekly lesson plans? Lots of fun, themed musical ideas for structured music lessons for 2 – 7 year olds.
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Gillie Poxon says
January 6, 2017 at 5:14 pmMy grandson has slight autistic problems and finds it difficult to concentrate on one sound, and gets overwhelmed with general noise. My son is wondering if classical music might help, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Sara Mullett says
January 6, 2017 at 5:57 pmHello Gillie, Yes music is a wonderful tool for helping autistic kids as it definitely improves listening and focussing abilities. There have been many studies over the years which demonstrate the very positive effects – it can all get a bit technical but these articles explain the benefits in a more approachable style – https://epidemicanswers.org/mozart-effect-and-autism-adhd-other-developmental-delays/ http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/articles/1831/wellness/music-therapy-and-autism.html
The success of the Mozart effect is due to the structure and form of the music which helps the brain to format information in a more organised way. I do hope that you find that listening to music, singing songs and making music together will help your grandson and I’m sure you’ll all have a lot of fun with it along the way 🙂
Gillie Poxon says
January 7, 2017 at 8:14 amThank you so much for your help Sara, we do love Mozart so it will be interesting to see where they go with this. At present they are having fun playing and singing to the ukulele. Again many thanks.
Sophie Mcgarrah says
October 20, 2016 at 10:18 pmI like it so much.
Rose says
June 3, 2015 at 3:52 amPeter and the Wolf by Prokofiev https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ueGfjBKbiE
Rose says
June 3, 2015 at 3:58 amJust seen it was listed below. I provided a link for those that do not know it. Thank you truly for this I plan to try a few more this year.
Sara Mullett says
June 3, 2015 at 2:58 pmThanks Rose it’s an excellent link 🙂
jan says
January 18, 2015 at 6:47 amJohannes Brahmes, Lullaby and good night, sung to babies everywhere
Sara Mullett says
January 21, 2015 at 5:01 pmOh yes Jan, I agree, Brahms’ Lullaby is one of the best! Babies always love it! You might like our post on songs for babies! http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/songs-for-babies-lullabies/
Marianne says
January 17, 2015 at 8:30 pmWonderful list!
How about In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg.
Sara Mullett says
January 21, 2015 at 4:54 pmThanks Marianne, The Mountain King is a wonderful suggestion! It is so difficult to choose – it should really be the Best 50 tracks at least!
Marianne says
January 17, 2015 at 8:25 pmWonderful list! How about In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg.
Annemarie says
November 9, 2014 at 4:17 pmthank you
Naomi says
October 28, 2014 at 9:29 amBrilliant list of suggestions! My baby loves them all. Thanks for doing all the hard work in narrowing it down! It was just what I was looking for.
Sara Mullett says
October 28, 2014 at 3:49 pmSo glad that you and your baby are having such fun with the 14 best Classical Music tracks Naomi!
[email protected] says
October 21, 2014 at 6:28 pmI love, love, love this post! My toddler has been racing around the house to William Tell Overture and marching to the Imperial March (yep, we’re geeks in our house) and I wanted more of the same for her to dance and play to so I found this list through the magic of google. This is perfect!
Sara Mullett says
October 21, 2014 at 8:11 pmThanks Nicole, You paint a lovely picture! so glad the playlist has gone down so well 🙂
Krysten says
October 1, 2014 at 10:00 pmWhat about peter and the wolf?
Sara Mullett says
October 2, 2014 at 9:01 amHi Krysten, Thats a great suggestion, but I think Peter And The Wolf deserves a whole post to itself!
Deborah Singmaster says
September 24, 2014 at 5:20 pmCan I buy these tracks on a CD? Or can you suggest an available CD with a smilar selection designed toappeal to young children/
Thanks.
Sara Mullett says
September 28, 2014 at 3:58 pmHi Deborah,
I’m not sure about a CD, but each of these tracks are linked to the individual Amazon download so you could download the tracks individually. Just click on the title 🙂
Hope that helps!
Rosemary Dotson says
August 2, 2014 at 6:49 pmExcellent selection.
dgaking says
March 17, 2014 at 5:55 pmWhen I taught elementary music, my students loved Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1. I used the orchestral version with John Feierabend’s “Move It!” choreography. I also expanded on it with creative movement activities. The kids were so quiet, yet smiling so widely. They just loved it!
Sara_LetsPlayMusic says
March 18, 2014 at 6:03 pmWhat fun – I love that idea! It’s so great to see kids really absorbing themselves in creative movement 🙂
Jaime at Everyday Art says
January 14, 2014 at 3:34 amMy children have not been introduced to much classical music, but they ADORE Masquerade I: Waltz from Khachaturian: Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto, Masquerade Suite, Symphony No. 2. You simply cannot help but imagine a grand waltz and join in!
Sara_LetsPlayMusic says
January 14, 2014 at 5:09 pmHow lovely! That’s a great suggestion 🙂
Music Shack says
October 22, 2013 at 2:57 amA lovely list! Though why is there a picture of Mozart on the Canon in D youtube video when Pachelbel composed it? 🙂
Sara_LetsPlayMusic says
October 22, 2013 at 11:18 amThanks 🙂 would you add any tracks? I have no idea on the video front! You’ll have to ask the person who made the video on YouTube!
Deivid says
September 14, 2013 at 12:48 pmThank you very much. I will give a cd with this music to my sister for her birthday.
Jeanette Schulthess says
July 23, 2013 at 4:35 amWilliam Tell Overture
Sara says
July 26, 2013 at 12:15 pmThat’s a great suggestion, though I felt maybe a bit overpowering/grown up for very young children. It’s pretty much impossible to narrow down any choices – it should really be 100 Best Classical tracks! What else would you add?
Sara_LetsPlayMusic says
July 26, 2013 at 8:01 pmThat’s a great suggestion Jeanette, although it didn’t make my top 14 as I felt maybe a bit overpowering/grown up for very young children. It’s pretty much impossible to narrow down any choices – it should really be 100 Best Classical tracks! What else would you put at the top of your list?