20 Fun Dance Songs for Kids to Boost Their Energy

Looking for a way to keep your kids active and entertained? Dance songs for kids are the perfect solution! Whether it’s for a birthday party, a playdate, or just a fun afternoon at home, these songs will get your children moving and grooving.

From catchy tunes to energetic beats, dance music can bring joy and excitement to any activity. Let’s dive into a list of 20 popular dance songs that kids will love, helping them stay happy and healthy while having a blast.

20 Popular Dance Songs for Kids

1. “Baby Shark” by Pinkfong

“Baby Shark” by Pinkfong has become a global phenomenon, captivating children with its simple, repetitive lyrics and catchy tune. The song tells the story of a family of sharks, with each verse introducing a different member, from baby shark to grandma shark. The accompanying dance is easy to follow, involving simple hand and arm movements that mimic the actions of the sharks.

This song is perfect for young children as it promotes movement, coordination, and memory through repetitive and fun actions. Its widespread popularity is evident in its billions of views on YouTube, making it a staple at kids’ parties and dance sessions.

2. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake

“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake is an upbeat and cheerful song from the animated movie Trolls. Its infectious rhythm and positive lyrics make it an instant favorite for kids. The song’s dance moves, featured in the movie and its music video, are easy to mimic, encouraging kids to get up and dance along.

This song is excellent for group activities, as it brings a lively atmosphere and motivates everyone to participate. It’s not just fun but also helps children develop their sense of rhythm and coordination as they try to keep up with the beat.

3. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams is a joyful and uplifting song that instantly puts a smile on everyone’s face. The song’s beat is catchy and the lyrics are simple, making it easy for kids to sing and dance along. It’s an excellent choice for encouraging physical activity and positive energy.

The song’s repetitive structure and clapping rhythm are perfect for engaging kids in coordinated dance routines, promoting both physical exercise and a positive mindset. Its universal appeal makes it a great addition to any dance playlist for kids.

4. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift is a fun and energetic song that encourages kids to dance freely and not worry about what others think. The song’s lively beat and catchy chorus make it perfect for a dance session.

Kids can create their own dance moves to the song or follow along with Taylor Swift’s iconic moves from the music video. The message of the song promotes self-confidence and resilience, making it not only a great song for dancing but also for teaching valuable life lessons.

5. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars is a groovy and lively song with a beat that’s impossible to resist. The song’s funky rhythm and energetic vibe make it a hit among kids and adults alike.

The dance moves in the music video are fun and easy to follow, encouraging kids to get up and move. This song is perfect for dance parties and group activities, as it promotes social interaction and physical activity. Its high-energy beat helps kids burn off energy and improve their coordination and rhythm.

6. “Hokey Pokey”

“Hokey Pokey” is a classic interactive song that involves following dance moves and putting different body parts “in” and “out.” This song is perfect for young children as it helps them learn about body parts and spatial awareness while having fun.

The simple instructions and repetitive nature of the song make it easy for kids to follow along. It’s a great song for group activities, as it encourages participation and cooperation. The physical actions involved in the dance also help develop motor skills and coordination.

7. “The Wheels on the Bus”

“The Wheels on the Bus” is a familiar nursery rhyme with a tune that’s easy to dance to. Each verse of the song describes a different action, such as the wheels going round and round or the wipers going swish, swish, swish.

Kids can perform corresponding movements to each action, making it a fun and engaging way to promote physical activity and creativity. This song is especially popular in preschool settings and can be used to teach children about different parts of a bus and their functions through interactive play.

8. “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”

“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” engages kids with simple and fun movements that involve touching different parts of their body. The song starts slowly and then speeds up, challenging kids to keep up with the pace. This activity promotes physical exercise, coordination, and body awareness.

It’s an excellent song for young children as it combines learning with movement, helping them to develop both cognitive and motor skills. It’s often used in early childhood education settings as a warm-up activity or a break from more sedentary tasks.

9. “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

“If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a song that encourages kids to clap, stomp, and shout along while dancing. Each verse introduces a new action, such as clapping hands, stomping feet, or shouting “hooray,” making it an interactive and engaging song for young children.

The song promotes physical activity and coordination, as well as listening skills, as kids follow the instructions in the lyrics. It’s a fun way to boost mood and energy levels, making it a great choice for playtime or as a transition activity in classrooms.

10. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio

“Macarena” by Los Del Rio is a dance song with easy-to-follow steps that kids enjoy. The song’s catchy beat and repetitive dance moves make it a favorite at parties and dance sessions. The dance involves a series of hand and arm movements followed by a hip-shaking turn, which is easy for kids to learn and perform. This song is not only fun but also helps improve coordination and rhythm. It’s a great way to introduce kids to structured dance routines in a fun and engaging way.

11. “Let It Go” from Frozen

“Let It Go” from Frozen is an empowering anthem that kids love to sing and dance to. The song’s powerful lyrics and sweeping melody make it perfect for dramatic dance moves. Kids can express themselves freely through dance while acting out the story of Elsa from the movie.

This song encourages self-expression and confidence, as it tells the story of embracing one’s true self and letting go of fears. Its popularity makes it a hit at any kids’ gathering, and it provides an excellent opportunity for imaginative play and creative movement.

12. “You’re Welcome” from Moana

“You’re Welcome” from Moana is an upbeat song with a fun and lively rhythm. Sung by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the song’s playful lyrics and catchy tune make it a favorite among kids. The song’s rhythm encourages dance moves that are both energetic and expressive, allowing kids to have fun while being active.

The song is a great way to introduce kids to Polynesian culture and dance styles, adding an educational element to the fun. It’s perfect for dance sessions that aim to combine cultural learning with physical activity.

13. “Try Everything” from Zootopia

“Try Everything” from Zootopia is an inspiring song that encourages kids to keep trying and dancing. Sung by Shakira, the song’s upbeat tempo and positive message make it a great choice for dance routines. The lyrics encourage perseverance and resilience, teaching kids valuable lessons about not giving up and always doing their best.

The energetic beat of the song makes it perfect for dance sessions, helping kids to stay active and motivated. It’s a great addition to any dance playlist for kids, promoting both physical and emotional growth.

14. “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid

“Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid is a cheerful and rhythmic song perfect for dancing. The song’s lively beat and playful lyrics create a fun atmosphere for kids to move and groove. The Caribbean-inspired rhythm encourages kids to try different dance styles and movements, promoting creativity and cultural awareness.

This song is perfect for themed dance parties or just as a fun activity to get kids moving. Its engaging melody and fun lyrics make it a timeless favorite that continues to delight children.

15. “I Like to Move It” from Madagascar

“I Like to Move It” from Madagascar is a high-energy song that gets kids moving and grooving. The song’s infectious beat and simple lyrics make it a hit with kids of all ages. The dance moves are easy to follow and can be adapted to different levels of difficulty, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.

This song is great for physical activity breaks, dance parties, or any time kids need to burn off some energy. Its fun and lively nature make it a perfect addition to any dance playlist for kids.

16. “ABC” by Jackson 5

“ABC” by Jackson 5 is a classic song that helps kids learn the alphabet while dancing. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it easy for kids to sing and dance along. The simple and repetitive lyrics reinforce alphabet learning, making it both educational and fun.

This song is great for classroom activities or at-home learning, as it combines music and movement to enhance memory and engagement. The lively beat encourages kids to get up and move, making learning a dynamic and enjoyable experience.

17. “The Alphabet Song”

“The Alphabet Song” is a traditional song that makes learning the ABCs fun. The familiar melody and simple lyrics make it easy for young children to sing along and remember the alphabet. This song can be paired with dance movements that correspond to each letter, making it an interactive and engaging way to teach the alphabet.

It’s perfect for early childhood education settings and can be used as a warm-up activity or a fun break from more structured learning tasks. The combination of music and movement helps reinforce letter recognition and phonemic awareness.

18. “The Shape Song Swingalong” by Barefoot Books

“The Shape Song Swingalong” by Barefoot Books teaches kids about shapes through a catchy tune. The song’s lyrics describe different shapes and their properties, while the accompanying dance moves help reinforce these concepts. Kids can create shapes with their bodies or use props like scarves or ribbons to enhance the learning experience.

This song is great for preschool and kindergarten settings, as it combines music, movement, and visual learning to teach important geometric concepts. It’s a fun and engaging way to introduce shapes to young learners.

19. “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”

“Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” is a counting song with fun actions that kids love. The song’s repetitive structure and playful lyrics make it easy for kids to follow along and join in the actions. Each verse involves a new monkey falling off the bed, encouraging kids to count down and act out the movements.

This song promotes counting skills, coordination, and memory through interactive play. It’s perfect for young children and can be used in a variety of settings, from classrooms to playdates, to keep kids engaged and learning.

20. “The Cha-Cha Slide” by DJ Casper

“The Cha-Cha Slide” by DJ Casper is a step-by-step dance song that kids can easily follow. The song’s lyrics provide clear instructions for each dance move, making it accessible for all ages and skill levels. The repetitive and structured nature of the dance helps kids develop coordination, rhythm, and listening skills.

This song is great for group activities, dance parties, and physical education classes, as it encourages participation and movement. The fun and engaging dance routine makes it a popular choice for getting kids active and having fun.