Family Travel Forum - Music For Kids On The Go

For some kids, music is soothing--bedtime, playtime, or anytime. How about "travel time"? Luckily for parents who don't want to preload their iPods with tons of kids' jingles, many vehicles have six CD changers to help you and your children pass the hours on a long drive. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Nancy Cassidy’s Kid Songs. (Klutz Press, $15.00)
Kids' Songs to Sing and Sing-Along (Susie Tallman and Friends $12.98)
This CD, winner of the Parents' Choice Silver Award in 2003, has 28 new versions of traditional favorites. It is highly recommended by both parents and kids alike.

Playtime Songs and Sleepytime Songs
(Children's Book-of-the-Month Club)
When the sun starts to go down but there are still many more miles to go, I usually break out the music and we all sing along. Two audio CDs we never leave the house without are, created by. The original vocal talent and musical accompaniment make these our most cherished audios. Playtime Songs contains bouncy versions of "This Little Pig," "Humpty Dumpty," and many more. As the trip continues, and it looks as if the kids may want to nod off, put on Sleepytime Songs. This audio CD contains "Getting Ready for Bed" as well as classics such as "Hush Little Baby" and others. You'll find yourself enjoying this music even more than your children. To order or join Children's Book-of-the-Month Club, itself a wonderful gift, fax them at (717/691-1111.)

by Ann Marie Resnick

Car Tunes (Sugar Beats, $16.98)
The songs on this album all have to do with travel on the road. Children will enjoy these fun catchy tunes, and adults won't tire of this music as easily as they would of typical kids' tunes.

Silly Old Bear Songs and Tiggeriffic Songs (Disney Records, Ages 1-5, $6.99)
All children love that silly old bear, so take along one or two of the Winnie the Pooh sing-along sets. You can bear-ly help but sing out loud, and each audiocassette comes with a sturdy companion board book for a soon-to-be-reader. You can go one way with Pooh's music and return home with Tigger.

The Sky Blue Catfish (Minneapolis Music Workshop for Children, $9.98)
Here's another music compilation with such a variety of music that the whole family is sure to enjoy it. All recordings are original music, from country to acapella to rock 'n' roll. The words are easy to understand and are funny, too. Some of my family's favorites include "11 Gallon Hat," "Eat Your Fruit" and "Close Your Eyes." Once your children hear this CD, they will request it over and over.

Sesame Street in Harmony (Warner Brothers, $11.98)
This album features recordings by many favorite celebrities from the 70's: James Taylor's "Jelly Man Kelly," the Doobie Brothers' "Wynken, Blynken and Nod," and Ernie and Cookie Monster's "Share," to name a few. Other artists on this CD include Carly Simon, Bette Midler, and Linda Ronstadt. You will love it as much as your kids do, and may get through your whole journey without ever hearing or thinking "Are we there, yet?"

by Gia Portfolio

Universal Music Enterprises ($11 on up at Amazon.com)
Universal recently released a seven-CD "family series" aimed at entertaining children without driving their parents crazy. Some CDs are targeted to specific age groups - like the jazzy lullaby CD for our 0-4 baby contingent.

Others, like the Motown for Kids and Totally 80s for Kids CDs, introduce the younger generation to the great music of the past. The CD we tested at Family Travel Forum, called "Songs for the Car", is meant to entertain family members young and old alike as they traverse the long and winding roads.

This 12-song CD boasts songs from your favorites, including Lionel Richie, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and The Temptations. I listened to the CD with my 22-month-old cousins, who are slightly younger than the recommended 2+ age group. I enjoyed singing and bopping my head to the hits, and the girls did their share of dancing, too (no, we weren't in the car, despite the albums title!) Their favorites were Joseph Israel's "Teach Your Children" (song 4) and Patti LaBelle's "Stir It Up" (song 8). Most of the other songs didn't interest them much, and they were soon loudly clamoring for Elmo.

Universal Music Family CDs are available at music stores. They are self-proclaimed to be "Kid, Parent & Earth Friendly," including entirely recyclable packaging.

by Lisa Berry

Continue Shopping