2025 Children’s Music Roundup
Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s annual Children’s Music Roundup! 2025 got away from me a little bit so this is coming to you a tad later than usual. Luckily, it’s never too late to celebrate great children’s music!
At the end of each year, rather than doing a “Top 10” or a “Best of” list, I compile a list of albums that have come to my attention during the last 12 months and separate them into fun categories. While the total number of albums that are included varies from year-to-year, the richness and depth that is family music just keeps growing and this past year was no different.
Let’s kickoff 2026 by taking a look back at the “year that was” in children’s music. Don’t see your favorites? Please add them in the comments.
Introducing…
Debut albums you should know
Hang Out with Raven from City Birds
I Like the Sounds You Make from Eeme and Shan
Tunezies Vol. 1 from Jesse Palter
Alphabops from Bug Friend
Be Mindful, Be Kind
Empathy, inclusion, and loving one another (as kids and parents) are at the heart of these albums.
Together from Heather Feather
I Am Enough from Hopscotch Songs
Change is Inevitable from Mama Nous
Fun Machine Dream Vol. One from You & Us
Oh to Be Young
Music with the littles in mind. Many of the songs would be great for storytime.
My Voice from Andy Z
Imagine Shine Play from Miss Jessica
Family Friendly Songs, Vol. 5 from Tom Foote
Go Go Stop: Music and Movement for Kids from Shawny
Super Duper Awesome Day from Ashley Mills Monaghan
Warm Fuzzies from Katie Dwyer Music
Funky Fun
Silly, thoughtful fun for everyone!
Big Kid Stuff from Mr. Jeff
The Color Weasel from Todd ‘n’ Tina
Jesse Jukebox Sells Out from Jesse Jukebox
Slippery When Peeled from Go Banana Go and Flula Borg
Sweet Home Chicago
These artists all call Chicago home.
Get Your Sunny Side Up from Wendy and DB
After We Roam from Little Miss Ann
Brain Freeze from Justin Roberts
Keeping It Real
These albums all feature stories and experiences from real people.
Dandelion Songs: Inspired by Military Kids and Families from Greg Lato
The Story of U.S. Vol. 1 from Griot B
Herstory from Flor Bromley
Arise & Shine: Piano Music by Black Composers for Kids
Naturally
These albums celebrate the Earth, the animals, and the plants, and how we all fit together on this planet we call home.
Belong from Musiquita (bilingual)
Tree Sounds from Marko Polo
Pop Jams
The title says it all!
Wonder FULL from Dana
M.Y. F.A.M.I.L.Y. from Scott & Mark Hoying
Oopsie Daisy from Teacher Peter (bilingual)
Carry On! from Princess Backpack and Benjamin
Our Friends to the South
Just a sampling of the vibrant children’s music scene in New Zealand
Little Wild Singable Songs: Play, Help, Wonder from Claudia Robin Gunn
The Prose and Cons from Captain Festus McBoyle
BeetBite vol. 3 and 4 from BeetBite
Unstoppable Beats
Glam pop, hip hop, space folk and more!
Micro Party from Electric Blue Yonder
On the Stoop from Rolie Polie Guacamole
Buddy’s Magic Tree House from Mega Ran
A Non Fiction Fairytale from Twinkle Time
We Are Family
This year’s top duets were provided by two children’s music artists and their young daughters.
Ageless: 100 Years Young from Joanie Leeds & Joya
Harmony from Fyütch & Aura V
Potpourri
As in my favorite Jeopardy category, not the dried flowers.
Arise Together: Songs to Inspire from various artists
Sunny Side Up from Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Dinosaur Spaghetti from City Love
Try Try Again from Mike Bryden
Hooray for the World! from Red Grammer
After exploring the Blues on their last two family albums, Wendy & DB return to their pop roots with Get Your Sunny Side UP. The album kicks off with the title track, featuring Wendy’s powerful vocals, encouraging listeners to start each day with a new, positive attitude. This is followed by the bluesy “I’m in a Mood,” “Never Give Up” starring some ethereal vocals from Pierce Freelon, the bilingual “Ouchie Ya Ya” with Flor Bromley, and “Talk About It,” an important song for children and adults about not just talking to one another, but listening to each other in order to find a middle ground. Wendy & DB continue to celebrate and urge everyone to protect the environment with “Recycling Bins” and “Little Bird/Big World” featuring the incredible vocal stylings of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. In a departure from their usual vibes, they mix things up with the loud, cacophony that aptly matches tone with subject matter with “Let’s Make a MeSs.” Two tracks that would be perfect in storytime include the love and joy filled “Rainbow in My Heart” which would pair well with ribbons or scarves, and “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” a high octane, fresh take on an old standard. Get Your Sunny Side Up will be a hit with children and adults of all ages. Take a peek at their latest video, “Seymour the Sloth.”
For Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could, life is Sunny Side Up. For 25 years. Rymer’s music has always been imbued with positivity and kindness, and this latest collection is no different. His hallmark pop-rock-folk sound lifts each of the songs up, filling them with happiness and a sense of joy that is underscored by the band’s effortless harmonies. The album opens with the title track, an upbeat tune that emphasizes that every day is a fresh start. The themes of friendship and togetherness are explored on “Me and My Friends” and “The Reason is You” while kindness is the star in “When You’re Kind,” a lovely duet between Rymer and Laurie Berkner. Additional songs celebrate the simple pleasures in life like laundry on the line, a baby bird preparing to fly, and a dandelion in the wind making this album perfect for family listening as we continue our journey from spring into the lazy, hazy days of summer. 
My co-worker told me today that at her son’s grade school they are “doing the alphabet” for the end of the school year. New to that lingo, she explained to me that they are counting down to the last day of school by featuring a different letter of the alphabet each day. As luck would have it, their letter for today, just like ours, is the letter “D.” Wyatt and his classmates are celebrating with three dance breaks throughout the school day.
Family music artist 
Be Mindful, Be Kind
Beautiful Beats
Regional Superstars You Should Know
Rockin’ Rhythms
Unique Musical Stylings
Visiting with Old Friends
With a Little Help From My Friends
Swamp Romp
