Kids Music Handpicked by Our Editors

A Family Album
Age 4+
4

A Family Album

Why We Recommend It

This fun, eclectic mix of musical styles conveys the silliness and loveliness of childhood and family.

Read our full review
From Elmo to Eminem you can trust our children's music reviews.

Kids of all ages love music. For our littlest children, music helps build vocabulary and coordination. For our older kids, music expresses passions and angst. But finding kids' music that has messages you feel comfortable with can take some homework on parents' part. Luckily, our reviews give you what you need to know to choose and manage kids' music.

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JONAS L.A. by Jonas Brothers
Parents Need to Know...

that this soundtrack from the second season of the TV show adheres to the JoBros' classic formula: super-clean tunes that talk mostly about young love and reaching for your dreams. Overall, the album is fine for tweens. read more

Age 8+
JONAS L.A.
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"Jar of Hearts" (CD single) by Christina Perri
Parents Need to Know...

that this single is a tame song, including no offensive language or mentions of sex, substance use, or violence. It does reference kissing in one line and has a somewhat bleak theme about broken relationships, but overall, the tune is an ... read more

Age 11+
"Jar of Hearts" (CD single)
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"D.J. Got Us Fallin' in Love" (CD single) by Usher
Parents Need to Know...

that this single is a lot like other Usher tunes in that it's more subtly suggestive than overtly explicit. The song includes a bleeped-out f-word, talks about dancing close, and makes one mention of "downing drinks" -- but ... read more

Age 13+
"D.J. Got Us Fallin' in Love" (CD single)
3
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"Round and Round" (CD single) by Selena Gomez
Parents Need to Know...

that this pop single doesn't contain any explicit content, like swearing or references to sex and substances. However, its premise -- a girl who can't break free of an emotionally-abusive romantic relationship -- is a red flag for ... read more

Age 10+
"Round and Round" (CD single)
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"Somebody to Love" (CD single) by Justin Bieber
Parents Need to Know...

that this single is yet another good, clean song from tween heartthrob Justin Bieber. It includes no questionable content of any kind; it's about the almost over-the-top sweetness of a young guy just looking for someone to love and treat ... read more

Age 10+
"Somebody to Love" (CD single)
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"Ordinary Girl" (CD single) by Miley Cyrus
Parents Need to Know...

that although this song has a bit of a snotty attitude at times ("Miss Popular, always on the road, put my best foot foward, gotta get on with the show / Everywhere I arrive, I get high fives, they pay me larger than life, but I'm ... read more

Age 8+
"Ordinary Girl" (CD single)
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"Live Like There's No Tomorrow" (CD single) by Selena Gomez
Parents Need to Know...

that in terms of its messages, this song is ideal for younger kids. It steers entirely clear of bad language or adult content, focusing instead on positive themes like putting love first in your life, appreciating what you have, and ... read more

Age 6+
"Live Like There's No Tomorrow" (CD single)
3
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A Family Album by The Verve Pipe
Parents Need to Know...

that this group, a popular alt-rock band since the '90s with hits like "The Freshman," makes the transition to children's music spectacularly. This family album is full of fun, eclectic songs and sounds of childhood. There's ... read more

Age 4+
A Family Album
4
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"Impossible" (CD single) by Shontelle
Parents Need to Know...

that this tune is a clean spin on the classic break-up song. Without swearing or making mature references, Shontelle describes how the object of her affections has left her brokenhearted: "Tell them I was happy and my heart is ... read more

Age 11+
"Impossible" (CD single)
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"Power" (CD single) by Kanye West
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is in no way meant for young kids. It includes tons of hardcore swearing, along with some disturbing imagery that Kanye West uses to support his perceived superiority. For example, "At the end of day, Goddamnit, I’m ... read more

Age 16+
"Power" (CD single)
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Rock & Roll Playground by Various Artists
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a lesson in classic rock 'n' roll for your kiddos, with songs old and new. There's nothing to be concerned about. read more

Age 2+
Rock & Roll Playground
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Everyone Loves to Dance by Aaron Nigel Smith
Parents Need to Know...

that Smith's music has been featured on the award-winning PBS Kids show Between the Lions, and that this album is all about the fun and appreciation of music, movement, pretending, and everyday life. read more

Age 2+
Everyone Loves to Dance
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"I Like It" (CD single featuring Pitbull) by Enrique Iglesias
Parents Need to Know...

that Enrique Iglesias heats up the dance floor with this sexy single featuring rapper Pitbull and a playfully suggestive dance theme. There's no profanity or graphic references to sex, but the song is definitely steamy and contains some ... read more

Age 12+
"I Like It" (CD single featuring Pitbull)
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"Cooler Than Me" by Mike Posner
Parents Need to Know...

that there's one s-word but not much else to worry about here. The song is about dealing with someone who thinks she's superior, but in a non-threatening, brush-it-off kind of way. read more

Age 11+
"Cooler Than Me"
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"Ridin' Solo" (CD single) by Jason Derulo
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is about embracing the single life after a break-up. The language is mostly okay, except for a few s-words in the unedited version. There's one reference to hitting a club, but no mention of drugs or alcohol. The song is ... read more

Age 11+
"Ridin' Solo" (CD single)
3
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"Dynamite" (CD single) by Taio Cruz
Parents Need to Know...

that there's one bad word (the f-bomb) on the unedited version of the song. Even though the tune is about partying, the song stays away from mentions of sex, drinking, and irresponsibility. There's a bit of an attitude to some of the ... read more

Age 13+
"Dynamite" (CD single)
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Can't Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus
Parents Need to Know...

that on this CD, Miley Cyrus makes a clean break with her younger, more carefree, Hannah Montana days. While there's very little swearing and no graphic sexual descriptions, some songs have clear references to sexual situations, with ... read more

Age 12+
Can't Be Tamed
2
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"Love the Way You Lie" (single featuring Rihanna) by Eminem
Parents Need to Know...

that even though Eminem does an admirable job of portraying the depths of a dysfunctional relationship, many teens may not understand the message. Eminem is in character once again on this single, and this time around he's playing the ... read more

Age 16+
"Love the Way You Lie" (single featuring Rihanna)
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Rhythm Train by Leslie Bixler, Chad Smith, Dick Van Dyke
Parents Need to Know...

that this CD is a collaborative effort that takes kids on a journey around the world to learn, enjoy, and appreciate different kinds of music. Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers shows his softer side, and legend Dick Van Dyke struts ... read more

Age 4+
Rhythm Train
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Recovery by Eminem
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is without a doubt NOT for kids. All the bad language alone would make it off limits, but add to that the violence against women, talk about drinking and drugs, and overall crass humor, and you've got a no-brainer! That ... read more

No Kids
Recovery
4
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To The Sea by Jack Johnson
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a low-key album that's all about good times and good vibes. There's nothing really to worry about here, as Johnson weaves a laid-back collection of songs together full of sincere emotion and tender thoughts. It might not be ... read more

Age 8+
To The Sea
4

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Common Sense Media's music reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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