Top 105 Best Kids Dance Songs

If your kids are anything like mine, they love music. And they love dancing and singing to their favorite tunes. This is by no means a bad thing. Singing and dancing in social situations is great for kids.

However, it can be hard to regulate the content they are exposed to these days. Many of the most popular artists have very explicit content that cannot be played at kids’ parties. 

Luckily, many of these artists have a bunch of age-appropriate material as well. These hits are clean and friendly and should go down well with any group of little ones. So, let’s go through my picks for the best kids dance songs, starting with…

Top 105 Best Kids Dance Songs

1 Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake

Album: Trolls Soundtrack

This monster hit was the lead single for the soundtrack of the 2016 animated film “Trolls.” Justin Timberlake served as the executive music producer for the film and co-wrote this smash hit with Max Martin and Shellback. Timberlake also voiced the character of Branch in the film. 

In terms of music… 

They hit the nail right on the head with this one. The up-tempo disco pop rhythm carries the tune seamlessly. At the same time, the soul and funk influences give it a snap and flow that makes anyone want to dance to it. 

The song was released six months before the film debuted. And, it did not take long to cross over to mainstream radio and start dominating the charts. 

The first televised performance was by Timberlake at the 2016 Eurovision song contest. The music video was a smash hit, too, getting well over one and a half million views as well as inspiring a number of excellent fan-made videos. 

A global hit…

The song debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, it is the 26th song in history to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a chart-topper in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Russia, and many other countries. 

Likewise, it was in the top five in most of Europe. Additionally, it was the best-selling song in the US in the year of its release. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best dance songs for kids out there.

2 Life Changes by Thomas Rhett

Album: Life Changes

Spontaneity is one of the defining aspects of being a child. And, in a way, the unpredictability of our actions as kids helps to teach us about the changing nature of life. That happens to be the central theme of this kids country dance hit by Thomas Rhett. 

Thomas has been known to throw in some expletives here and there on other tracks. However, this one has been kept clean, which makes it a great number for a kid’s party where dancing is involved. 

Not only will they be able to move their hips to the thumping country pop beat, but the lyrics will teach and inspire them. Possibly to drive you crazy on the way to school in the mornings. But, hopefully not.

3 Roar By Katy Perry 

Album: Prism 

If you don’t expose your kids to this titanic anthem of self-empowerment, it won’t take long for them to find it, if they haven’t already. It’s a great song, especially for young girls. But, in truth, it is as universal as the heat of the sun.

“Roar” was co-written by Katy with American songwriter Bonnie McKee and the song’s producers, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Cirkut. It has a massive arena rock sound, punctuated with elements of guitar-based rock here and there. 

An absolute smasher of a tune embraced by just as many adults as kids. Also, it has the added benefit of teaching a very valuable lesson in a healthy way. 

Roaring to the top…

“Roar” was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. It was also a roaring commercial success topping the charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the United States. 

The song has been certified platinum and its music video has over three billion views. That is almost equivalent to a third of the earth’s population. A great kids dance song with a positive message.

4 I Got A Feeling by Black Eyed Peas

Album: The END

“Times are really hard for a lot of people, and you want to give them escape, and you want to make them feel good about life, especially at these low points.” These are the words that Will I Am chose to describe the songs on The Black Eyed Peas’ 2009 album The END. 

So, when I see young kids getting themselves pumped up to this song, I can only imagine that the group feels they’ve succeeded in this goal. 

Some fun trivia about this song…

The track samples a beat from “Take a Dive” by Bryan Pringle; also, the “woo-hoo” vocal line was sampled from The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” 

Overall the song is a masterpiece of production. As it throbs along, the various layers are added to give the impression of a shifting tempo. But, the song’s tempo doesn’t change at all. 

No matter what your age group or taste, this song can get you in a better mood. And, if you’re already in one, it’s just going to make you move. As a fun dance song for kids, it’s clean, fun, and fantastic. So, make sure it’s on your playlist because it’s a biggy. 

5 Happy By Pharrell Williams

Album: Girl 

Another monster hit that would cause much despair if I left it off this list of the best kids dance songs. This fantastic “Neo-Soul” track was written and composed by Williams, with Andrew Coleman and Mike Larson producing and recording. 

The sound of the song suggests a Motown feel, but it has a more modern crispness to it. William’s songwriting is poignant and well thought out. His falsetto singing on this tune had some folks comparing him to Curtis Mayfield. A compliment I’m sure Williams would welcome. 

Cheer up any crowd… 

And, for kids, it’s a great positive reinforcement tune. More than anything, it’s there to be enjoyed with friends. Whenever I see kids in a public space and this song plays, they can’t help but get grooving. 

This one is a must-have if you want to keep the little ones happy. Trust me. In 2014, “Happy” was the most successful song worldwide, with over 13.9 million sales. 

6 The Man by The Killers

Album: Wonderful Wonderful 

The Killers drummer, Ronnie, described the lyrical content of “The Man” as:

“…when we were younger, we feel invincible, what it meant to be a ‘man’ in your 20’s. …your chest out, the breadwinner; nothing could stop you… It’s a tongue-n-cheek take on that, how it’s not really the point of being a man at all. It’s actually about compassion and empathy.”

You might be thinking that this song is a bit inappropriate, and it certainly can be. But, for the right age group at the right time, it can be a great song to expose them to. The lyrical content can slowly grow on them. This is the kind of song that will age with them instead of being outgrown. 

Even when young girls sing this song, it can be a source of great laughter. And there are no nasty words or suggestions in any of the lyrics. It’s got a great groove to it that is sure to make it stick in anyone’s head.

7 Motownphilly By Boyz II Men

Album: Cooleyhighharmony

One thing children are told to do is to dream. Believing that dreams can become a reality and seeing examples of it happening around them is an essential part of getting a child motivated for the life. This great motivational track from Boyz II Men’s first record will serve the purpose just right.

To get the full experience of this song… 

You need to let the little ones see the fantastic music video for it as well. It will show them some of the moves they can bust while grooving to this tune. But, they also get a look at the members of Boyz II Men as they visit their old high school, singing about how they used to dream of making it big. 

“Motownphilly” was a smash hit, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Since then, it’s been used in numerous films and television shows like “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” “Kids Incorporated,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” 

Furthermore, the song was even featured during the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. 

8 Thunder by Imagine Dragons

Album: Evolve

Once more, we have a great tune about self-empowerment and believing that what you’ve got inside you is enough. “Thunder” is one of the biggest anthems of our age. And, when I see kids thumping their chests to this track, I feel tremendous hope. 

The power of this song, like many other Imagine Dragons songs, lies in its simple foundations. The beat is strong enough to overlay almost anything. And the various layers of complexity added create ear candy. The beat and vocals remain solid and simple, and that is what you get latched onto.

“Thunder” was a massive commercial success peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. As well as becoming a Top 10 hit in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, and many other countries.

9 Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams

Album: Life Thru a Lens

“When we started working on the demo, there was this furious jungle beat underneath it. It was so hardcore i got very excited, and I still get excited when I listen to it now. It’s not really heavy metal; it’s like camp rock opera!”

That jungle beat is what gives this epic number from Williams so much funky groove and appeal. This song has never ceased to get kids moving. Whenever I see kids jamming along to this, I think they imagine themselves as great one day. And that’s what kids ought to do when they dance and sing. 

“Let Me Entertain You” was a hit, climbing to #3 on the UK Singles chart. It has received a gold certification in Denmark and a platinum certification in the United Kingdom. 

10 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye

Album: United

Not just a great dance song but one of the greatest pieces of music ever written and recorded. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is a song that simply drips with positive energy and good vibes. That makes it perfect for any playlist of kids dance songs.

The true power of this song lies in singing it together with friends at the top of your voice. It makes you appreciate the people you have in your life all the more. And, for kids, singing this song with friends is sure to deepen those bonds and form lasting memories.

Since its release… 

This song has become a part of the feel-good culture and has appeared in tons of TV series, commercials, and films. Most notably, “Remember the Titans” and the 2014 film “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 

It was a Top 20 Billboard hit, peaking at #19 on the Hot 100 chart and #3 on the US Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart. 

11 Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO 

Album: Sorry For Party Rocking

“Party Rock Anthem” will go down as one of the greatest pieces of music of the last century. That is because of its power to unite humans in their most basic of past-times – partying. 

Party time…

The song has a super catchy beat and melody thanks to that crazy-sounding synthesizer chop repeated during the chorus. But, because of its awesome lyrics, everyone enjoys singing along to it. Along with being an awesome song, the party rock anthem also inspired a whole dance craze that took the world by storm. Pretty much every kid you know can “shuffle.” 

So, you can bet the farm when this one comes over the speakers; the little ones start busting their moves and chatting along to the lyrics. 

An anthem for the ages…

“Party Rock Anthem” is one of the most successful songs in history. It was #1 in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, the US, and pretty much most of the planet. 

In Australia, it is the best-selling single ever. It sold over 9.7 million copies digitally in its year of release. And it is ranked as the sixth most successful song of all time by Billboard. If you want one of the best kids dance songs ever, this is right up there.

12 Magic by B.O.B

Album: B.O.B Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray

One thing that all kids dream about is having magic abilities or superpowers. And in this fantastic throbbing Hip-Hop number, B.O.B expresses that desire in a way that translates perfectly into a young mind. 

The song features a super-infectious hook in the form of a synth guitar being played by the track’s producer Dr. Luke. On top of that, there’s the very catchy chorus sung by Rivers Cuomo, frontman of the American rock band Weezer. 

When these two elements were melded together in the studio, they became one great song. As a result, it will be a valuable addition to any playlist made for kids to dance to. 

13 Rain On Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande

Album: Chromantica

Described by Gaga as “A celebration of all the tears,” this beautiful dance pop number comes straight out of the hearts of two powerful women. Therefore, it is a great song for young girls to empower themselves. Although, it can be interpreted by any gender if you have an open mind. 

The song talks about picking yourself up after facing adversity and having the courage to stand up straight, especially when nothing seems to be going your way. 

When the lyrical content is combined with the super-catchy electro-pop dance beat, it becomes one monster of a song. A song that’s guaranteed to get some young bodies moving when you blast it through the speakers. 

14 Let It Go by Idina Menzel

Album: Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

This track was the first song from a Disney animated musical to make it into the Billboard Hot 100 since 1995’s “Colors Of The Wind” by Vanessa L Williams from the film “Pocahontas.” As a result, it’s one of the most popular kids dance songs out there.

Just like the character in the song, children can sing these lyrics and realize that they don’t have to live up to any expectations except the ones they set for themselves. 

Also, there’s nothing wrong with changing things you once thought were going to be part of your life forever. This song is a great way to teach children about growth and self-reflection in times of turmoil and happiness. 

It might be a little overplayed, but…

The song also happens to feature in one of the most successful Disney films ever. So, chances are, if you don’t have this on the playlist, you’ll be getting “Frozen” hearts all around the party. Best to make sure it’s in there. There’s a version by Demi Lavato as well, so make sure you get the right one.

14 Life Changes – Thomas Rhett

15 Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake

16 Roar – Katy Perry

17 The Man – Aloe Blacc

18 Motownphilly – Boyz II Men

19 Thunder – Imagine Dragons

20 Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams

21 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross

22 Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO

23 Let It Go – Demi Lovato

24 Happy Dance – MercyMe

25 Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton

26 Move Your Feet – Junior Senior

27 Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

28 Gangnam Style – PSY

29 Despacito – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee

30 Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) – Shakira ft. Freshlyground

31 Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

32 Dance, Dance – Fall Out Boy

33 I Like to Move It – Reel 2 Real ft. The Mad Stuntman

34 Dance With Me Tonight – Olly Murs

35 Y.M.C.A. – Village People

36 Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper

37 Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) – Silentó

38 Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex

39 Hokey Pokey – Kidsongs

40 YMCA – The Hit Crew

41 Chicken Dance – Kidsongs

42 Cupid Shuffle – Cupid

43 Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung

44 The Gummy Bear Song (German Version) – Gummibär

45 Wannabe – Spice Girls

More 55 Best Kids Dance Songs

46. 46. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
    47. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
    48. Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon
    49. I Want You Back – Jackson 5
    50. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
    51. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
    52. Happy Feet – Stevie Wonder
    53. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
    54. Jump In The Line – Harry Belafonte
    55. Sugar – Maroon 5
    56. What Does The Fox Say? – Ylvis
    57. I’m A Believer – Smash Mouth
    58. Dance Like Yo Daddy – Meghan Trainor
    59. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars
    60. Wiggle – Jason Derulo ft. Snoop Dogg
    61. Party In The USA – Miley Cyrus
    62. Firework – Katy Perry
    63. Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd
    64. Shake It Up – Selena Gomez
    65. Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb
    66. Get The Party Started – P!nk
    67. Shut Up and Dance With Me – Walk The Moon
    68. Treasure – Bruno Mars
    69. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) – Shakira
    70. I Like It – Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
    71. Dynamite – Taio Cruz
    72. Can’t Stop The Feeling – Trolls Movie Cast
    73. Happy – C2C ft. Derek Martin
    74. Worth It – Fifth Harmony ft. Kid Ink
    75. Break Free – Ariana Grande ft. Zedd
    76. Bailando – Enrique Iglesias ft. Descemer Bueno & Gente De Zona
    77. Hoedown Throwdown – Miley Cyrus
    78. Boogie Wonderland – Earth, Wind & Fire
    79. It’s A Beautiful Day – Michael Bublé
    80. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
    81. Can’t Hold Us – Kidz Bop Kids
    82. Dance, Dance, Dance – Steve Miller Band
    83. Get Up Offa That Thing – James Brown
    84. Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder
    85. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
    86. Dance Fever – Bee Gees
    87. Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.
    88. We Got The Beat – The Go-Go’s
    89. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
    90. I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters
    91. ABC – The Jackson 5
    92. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
    93. The Twist – Chubby Checker
    94. Boogie Shoes – KC and The Sunshine Band
    95. Holiday – Madonna
    96. All Star – Smash Mouth
    97. Jungle Boogie – Kool & The Gang
    98. We Will Rock You – Queen
    99. Rockin’ Robin – Bobby Day
    100. Jump Around – House Of Pain
    101. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
    102. Crazy Frog – Axel F
    103. I’m A Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song) – Gummibär
    104. Macarena – Los Del Rio
    105. The Chicken Dance – The Emeralds

Looking for Music Children Will Enjoy?

We can help with that. Take a look at our detailed articles on Funny Songs to Sing with Kids, the Best Sing-Along Songs, Fun Music Activities For Kids, the Best Songs About Friendship, and the Best Songs About Ice Cream for more ideas and superb song selections.

Of course, you need to hear those tunes. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Waterproof Speakers, the Best Party Speakers, the Best Wireless Outdoor Speakers, the Best Bluetooth Speakers with Light Show, and the Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speakers you can buy in 2023.

Best Kids Dance Songs – Final Thoughts

Whether you’ve got knee-high tweens running around or some bored teenagers, a good dance playlist of clean, radio-friendly hits is never going to let you down. 

Kids love to sing and dance; they always have. So, if you want to be the coolest mum or dad around, make sure you can come through with the right hits at the right time, and you’re golden.

Until next time, happy listening.