21 Popular Music Albums With Kid-Friendly Lyrics

There's a time and place for kids music, but why not also introduce your family to adult albums with a more ageless appeal? Kid friendly songs & sounds that will influence them long after they've outgrown the kid stuff, and that you can enjoy together on long car rides, summer cookouts or hanging around at home.

Here is a list of the best adult music for kids, all parent-approved albums featuring songs without bad language that can be played around kids. Give them a listen to decide what's best for your family, as even clean music may contain adult themes. Recommend your go-to kid friendly music albums, too!

As an Amazon Associate, Upparent may earn commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.


 
    The Beatles - 1

    Kelly R:  The Beatles have so many kid-friendly songs, but a lot of their albums have one or two that make me think twice before recommending them in their entirety (I'm looking at you, Maxwell's Silver Hammer). 1 is a compilation album showcasing the Beatles' #1 hits from 1962 to 1970.

    U2 - The Joshua Tree

    Kelly R:  This is the essential U2 album. There are so many gems that it starts feeling like you're listening to the greatest hits - and maybe you are.

    The Very Best Of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

    Tim Ponisciak:  The music of the Four Seasons has remained very easy on the ears. It is good music to sing along and clap to, and Valli's voice will make your kids laugh at times!

    The Jackson 5 - The Ultimate Collection

    Nancy L.:  This album starts off with "I Want You Back" and that should put anyone in a good mood. These classics are some of the best from The Jackson 5 and the songs can be enjoyed by your whole family—whether you are 3, 5, or many, many more!

    ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits

    Kelly R:  This outstanding compilation album is like a time capsule that will transport you to the height of the days of disco. Put it on, crank it up, and just try not to have an impromptu dance party. I dare you.

    The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

    Kelly R:  Is this the best of The Beach Boys' albums? Yes. Depending on who you ask, it's one of the best albums of all time. This influential and innovative album takes The Beach Boys in a different direction from their previous hits, but the complex and adventurous songs still carry their familiar melodies.

    Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales

    Tim Ponisciak:  This is a great, very relaxing album to listen to. Kids love the sounds of Johnson's guitar! This is a great album to listen to outside, while driving or enjoying a bonfire!

    Weezer - The Teal Album

    Jennifer Torres:  The Teal Album is a collection of amazing covers with songs from TOTO, Tears for Fears, Ben E. King, Michael Jackson, TLC, Eurythmics, and more! It’s on heavy rotation, especially on road trips or when we’re all in the kitchen together!

    Paul Simon - Graceland

    Kelly R:  I listen to this one more than I should probably admit, but it is such a wonderful example of an album coming together to be much more than just a collection of individual songs. It is all at once funky, thoughtful, poetic, and uplifting. There is a heavy influence from traditional South African music and a pinch of zydeco, with sounds and rhythms that will broaden minds young and old.

    The Beach Boys - Endless Summer

    Kelly R:  Endless Summer is a collection featuring many of The Beach Boys' best loved singles and iconic hits from the early sixties. If you're looking to introduce your kids to the group, there's probably no better place to start.

    Best Of Motown Classics

    Juan L.:  A truly comprehensive "Greatest Hits" compilation of Motown artists would probably span at least 20 volumes. The "Best of Motown Classics" is a great introduction. More like a "greatest hits" of the "greatest hits," this album does a fantastic job of curating some of the greatest songs in the American music catalogue. These songs are all joyous classics: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "I Want You Back," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." There's a reason people of all ages and backgrounds get up to dance at a wedding when Motown comes on.

    Michael Jackson - Thriller

    Kelly R:  So many dance party hits all in one place! If you want to get your kids interested in the music that you loved listening to when you were growing up, this is a great place to start.

    Bronze Radio Return - Up, On & Over

    Kelly R:  All of Bronze Radio Return's albums are on heavy rotation in my house, but this one might be my favorite. It's a great place to start if you're looking for an introduction to their music, as it contains so many songs that perfectly capture their upbeat energy and thoughtful lyrics. You, too, might find yourself listening to it over and over again. Take a look to see if their tour brings them to your area, because their live shows make for a really fun date night.

    The Beatles - Yellow Submarine

    Katie G.:  While not considered essential by Beatles purists, this soundtrack from the movie of the same name has two classic singalongs ("Yellow Submarine" and "All You Need is Love"), plus the delightfully strange "Hey Bulldog." (That's John and Paul howling and barking at the end.)

    Kirov Orchestra - Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker

    Kelly R:  A lovely recording of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet that some kids might recognize as Christmas music, but can be enjoyed year round.

Primary photo:   Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.