The jolliest Christmas songs for kids

Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could’s jazzy salute to Santa's reindeer is nothing short of lovable. It sounds like a holiday anthem straight out of a jukebox. You’ll totally dig the old-school vibe. 

Channeling those Nightmare Before Christmas vibes, Outta the Books put a yuletide – and even somewhat spooky – twist on a Christmas classic. It's the perfect new tune to add to your holiday playlist. 

If you were worried about that famous Mariah Carey song getting stuck in your head, you ain’t heard nothing yet! The ‘Baby Shark’ sensation has adapted its highly addicting song for the holiday season, and your tots are going to go bananas for this jam. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. But hey, if you can't beat ’em, join ’em with a few ‘Doo doo doo’ sing-alongs.

Kindie music sensation Gustafer Yellowgold rings in the most wonderful time of the year with a melodic folk tune that celebrates the best of the season: thick white sheets of snow, loved one with dishes to share and peace on earth. Wind down your Christmas Eve celebration and tuck the kids in with this one.

Who’s looking for the seven fishes when you have tacos on Christmas Eve? This upbeat, techno-esque jam from former Nerf Herder frontman Parry Gripp celebrates one of kids’ favorite eats, albeit on an unusual day. Just take a peek in Santa's sleigh, your stocking or under the tree if you fancy a bite or two! 

Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats will inspire you to find your mittens and venture out into a winter wonderland. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself swinging and jiving until you get outside in the flurries – this rhythm is simply infectious! 

An all-time classic and one of the most obnoxious kid-sung Christmas songs of all time, ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ is an intentionally annoying earmorm sung by a kid who sounds like Veruca Salt’s bratty American cousin. Delivered through the silky filter of alt-country queen Kacey Musgraves, the song isn’t just tolerable: It’s great. Consider this a compromise between kids who want to hear the classics and parents who want to oblige them without stuffing gingerbread in their own ears. 

The once and future king of kiddie songs briefly hung up his bananaphone to deliver unto us a sing-along call-and-response holiday song whose biggest surprise is its utter lack of obnoxiousness. 

The Beach Boys’ sweet harmonies and swing-worthy beat conjure a summertime vibe with their Christmas classic. Yes, we’re swaying to a song about ‘way up north where the air gets cold,’ yet we're kind of anxious to hit the waves. We’re sure there's surfing in the Arctic Ocean, right?

‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ perfectly captures that anticipation kids feel on December 24 as Kris Kringle departs from the North Pole. The popular pop carol is sure to excite little ones as they ready Santa's milk and cookies before bedtime. There are many versions of this one, but we’re still partial to the cut by the original singin’ cowboy Gene Autry. 

Don’t forget to play this classic as you deck the halls with boughs of holly. The timeless tune will get you anxious for all of the season’s best activities: decorating, caroling and – a personal favorite of ours – munching on bites of pumpkin pie.  

Some kids fly into a fit of rage when they get the wrong LOL doll under the Christmas tree. The kid at the centre of this classic (who is actually grown man/novelty songsmith Donald Yetter Gardner) simply wants the ability to bite down on a Christmas cookie. This kid/grown adult is a treasure. There are many versions of this classic out there, so pick your flavor, be it in the form of Alvin & the Chipmunks or the fabulous RuPaul. 

There's no arguing with this sentiment! This jingle from Lard Dog & the Band of Shy will keep little ones anxiously counting down the days until Santa makes his rounds. 

Before the Elf on the Shelf swooped in to act as Kris Kringle’s spy, children got worried about their naughty-or-nice-list status because of this jingle. In hopes of promoting good behavior during the holidays, the catchy number warns children that the man in the red suit is always watching! The Jackson 5 offered up the definitive version of this one, which takes a child’s-eye-view of the scene. But for Jersey kids, the Boss himself has made this a regular part of his set, even in the summer. 

If you're celebrating the holidays in the greatest city in the world (New York, of course), it’s only fitting to add ‘It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year’ to your playlist. Embrace the superlatives and keep this tune going all season long. 

Truthfully, who enjoys snow more than children? Most New Yorkers dread a frosty commute, yet the youngest of urbanites pray there is enough snowfall for a ride down Pilgrim Hill in Central Park. ‘Let It Snow’ is wishful thinking for the wintertime, and requires a few plays on snow days: whether you opt for our preferred Dean Martin version or Frank Sinatra’s is up to you.

A fitting tribute to Santa’s right-hand man. Although that little red nose might make Rudolph an outcast amongst the reindeer clan (shame, shame), it makes him the perfect guidling light – literally – for St. Nick’s Christmas Eve trip around the world. He’s truly gone down in history, and so has Burl Ives’ iconic take on the song from the legendary animated special. 

Who doesn’t love heading to the park to build a snowman? Channel your inner Anna and Elsa and throw it back to this original snowman jam. Who needs Olaf when you've got this pipe-smoking legend?

Oh what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh! No one can resist this wintertime jam, and you'd be remiss not to add it to your holiday playlist. It's a classic for a reason, friends!

This bilingual holiday hit will have everyone busting a move while wrapping presents, making cookies and decorating the tree. Whether spending a quiet night in or hosting a family get-together, ‘Feliz Navidad’ demands some time in the Christmas spotlight.

This wonderful tune is perfect for tykes just learning how to count. Can they handle counting backwards and remembering all the things their true love gave to them? The only downside? Good luck finding your kid a half-dozen geese ready to lay eggs at the last minute. 

Close your eyes while this song plays and you’ll surely envision your favorite city’s streets decked in twinkling lights and freshly-fallen snow. ‘Silver bells, silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city…’

Long before Alvin, Simon and Theodore became the stars of their own animated show and a live action film franchise, they were simply the result of a novelty songwriter who fell in love with changing voice speeds on a record. And of that simplicity was born an undying classic. No somebody get that poor critter a hula hoop!

Oh my, Mommy! Looks like you've had a little too much eggnog. Although smooching Santa is definitely a questionable move for the family matriarch, we’ll admit that the song is too delightful to pass up. As with ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town,’ the Jackson 5 really nailed the definitive version of this one. 

This comforting track on the Okee Dokee Brothers’ Winterland album celebrates how loved ones’ presence are presents during the holidays.  

While you're transforming your house into a winter wonderland, make sure you and the kids listen to a few rounds of ‘Deck the Halls,’ the perfect jam that will inspire your holiday feng shui. Grab the tinsel and prepare to go head-to-head with Santa’s workshop!

The spaced-out Parry Gripp’s holiday offerings aren’t limited to the aforementioned tacos: Here he imagines a psychedelic unicorn traversing the galaxy bringing peace on Earth, goodwill toward men and colorful rainbows (of course) to all who believe. It’s a goofy, surprisingly rocking jam perfect for any unicorn-obsessed kid. 

‘This Christmas feels like the very first Christmas to me’ sings Bikini Bottom’s happiest yellow metazoan. And while purists might question the presence of Squidward among the wise men of yore, it’s hard not to get swept up in the good cheer of SpongeBob’s quirky, old-fashioned Christmas anthem. 

Spread warm and loving cheer to everyone you meet this holiday season. If you’re lucky, you might be treated to some figgy pudding and good tidings in return!

Look, from November through December, it’s MiMi’s world, and we’re just living in it. Thankfully, this song slaps. no matter how old you are. For the little ones, it’s also the launchpad for Carey’s addition to the animated holiday canon: The singer stars in her own Christmas special on Amazon, named… well, you know what it’s called. It’s the same title of this song that’s been stuck in your head since before Halloween.