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, so good as 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 of course 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. Â 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 and so good for imaginative movement. I use this one a lot as the kids really love it, especially when they are pretending to be little mice running around in the Clocks And Mice lesson plan!
2. Johann Strauss Radetzky March Op 228
An obvious choice for marching, banging on drums and pretending to be a soldier! Unsurprisingly, this one is hugely popular – I use it my Soldiers Lesson Plan
3. Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite Op.79a
Who wouldn’t want to be a sugar plum fairy or march like a tin soldier!? This one offers great variety- so it’s just limited to Christmas but your children might already recognise it if they like the film Elf! But of course, I do always have to use it in my Christmas Lesson Plan too!
4. Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals
Click here for the music. 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!
My new Carnival Of The Animals bundle of resources includes lots of activities that explore dynamics. There’s a full set of listening maps along with 72 pages of teaching notes, poems, colouring sheets and activities. And listening maps are a great way to highlight musical dynamics, helping children to connect with the music with a visual interpretation for each movement.​
5. Henry Hall Orchestra Teddy Bear’s Picnic
This old favourite never loses it’s appeal and it’s always a huge hit in my Bears Lesson Plan. 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. Handel’s 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. Elmer Bernstein The Great Escape Theme Tune
Another one for marching! Really good one to clap or drum the beat of the music to.
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 & AdventurersÂ
- 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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My 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.
Hello 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 🙂
Thank 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.
I like it so much.
Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ueGfjBKbiE
Just 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.
Thanks Rose it’s an excellent link 🙂
Johannes Brahmes, Lullaby and good night, sung to babies everywhere
Oh 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/
Wonderful list!
How about In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg.
Thanks Marianne, The Mountain King is a wonderful suggestion! It is so difficult to choose – it should really be the Best 50 tracks at least!
Wonderful list! How about In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg.
thank you
Brilliant 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.
So glad that you and your baby are having such fun with the 14 best Classical Music tracks Naomi!
I 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!
Thanks Nicole, You paint a lovely picture! so glad the playlist has gone down so well 🙂
What about peter and the wolf?
Hi Krysten, Thats a great suggestion, but I think Peter And The Wolf deserves a whole post to itself!
Can I buy these tracks on a CD? Or can you suggest an available CD with a smilar selection designed toappeal to young children/
Thanks.
Hi 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!
Excellent selection.
When 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!
What fun – I love that idea! It’s so great to see kids really absorbing themselves in creative movement 🙂
My 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!
How lovely! That’s a great suggestion 🙂
A lovely list! Though why is there a picture of Mozart on the Canon in D youtube video when Pachelbel composed it? 🙂
Thanks 🙂 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!
Thank you very much. I will give a cd with this music to my sister for her birthday.
William Tell Overture
That’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?
That’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?