Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    A Party Favor for the Whole Family

    A few years ago my son was at a birthday party and got the best party favor ever-a CD of kids' music. But not just any kids' music. These were songs that I really enjoyed listening to and singing along with as well. (Read: No toddlers shouting incoherently, no overdone nursery rhymes, no techno madness.)

    I decided to copy the idea for my son's 2nd birthday and the CD was a hit-with kids and parents alike. When his 3rd birthday rolled around, people were asking if there was going to be a new CD. I obliged. I even did a holiday version for my other son's 1st birthday since he's a November baby. Now that my big boy's 4th birthday is sneaking up on me, I'm working on another CD. But frankly, I'm having trouble finding great songs.

    Don't get me wrong, there's no shortage of kids' music. Just a shortage of fun, adult-friendly kids' music. My kids will listen to the same CD, 5 times a day, for weeks on end. Which means I listen to the same CD, 5 times a day, for weeks on end.

    Here are some of our favorites from past CDs to give you an idea of what we love:
    If All of the Raindrops by Laura Doherty
    Hey Hippopotamus by Justin Roberts (love most of his songs, really)
    You've Got a Friend in Me by Riders in the Sky
    Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell
    The Disappointing Pancake by Lisa Loeb
    Upside Down by Jack Johnson
    Little Sack of Sugar Elizabeth Mitchell

    In my quest for another great CD, I've been researching songs. These are some albums that have been recommended in various blogs and articles.
    Victor Vito & Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner
    Snack Time by Barenaked Ladies
    Catch that Train & The Fine Friends Are Here by Dan Zanes
    Time Machine by The Sippy Cups
    At the Bottom of the Sea by Ralph's World
    Meltdown by Justin Roberts
    Here Come the ABCs by They Might Be Giants

    I also came across the Timeout New York Kids "Best of 2009" list.

    I'm spending lots of time listening to clips on iTunes in hopes of finding some new gems. If you know of any, please share them. I could use the time and my kids could use some new favorites!

    Author: Amy Heinz, YodelingMamas

    ***Read more from Yahoo! moms at www.yodelingmamas.com***

     

    6 comments

    • leslie  •  2 years 2 months ago
      Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill
    • Brittany  •  2 years 2 months ago
      I love the They Might Be Giants CD's and my boys really enjoy all the music from Madagascar!! Fun dancie music :)
    • Amy  •  2 years 2 months ago
      Thanks for the great suggestions! I also polled my friends and got lots of votes for Elizabeth Mitchell and Barenaked Ladies Snack Time. Also a reco for Jazz for Kids. I'll be checking them all out this weekend. Happy listening!
    • Jennifer  •  2 years 2 months ago
      We made a cd as a favor for our son's 1st birthday party too. Here are a few faves:
      'St. Judy's Comet' - Paul Simon
      'Chicken Soup with Rice' - Carole King
      'Sing' - Pink Martini
      'Sugar Sugar' - The Archies
      'We're Going to Be Friends' - The White Stripes
      'Night Owl' - Aimee Mann
    • A Yahoo! User  •  2 years 2 months ago
      Amy,
      We all loved Disney's Beauty and the Beast soundtrack over and over....it's genius. Also, anything by Raffi....his voice is so soothing. The Bananphone album is good. Charlotte Diamond is good and she still comes to town in the Spring...a great concert for kids. If you like classical, the Classical kids CD's series is good with story lines to accompany the great musical artists of our past....wonderful for car trips and everyone learns something. I have them. They're yours if you'd like!! Another angle, the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack was a hit with my older one when he was 3! L
    • Camryn  •  2 years 2 months ago
      I recently discovered Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show - who were big in the 1970s. The late great Shel Silverstein wrote many of their songs! My favorites are Sylvia's Mother and The Wonderful Soup Stone. Perhaps it's more kid-friendly adult music...but it's worth mentioning.

    Join us on Pinterest

    DAILY SHOT VIDEO

    We apologize. An error has occurred. Please try again.