The Best Folk Music for Kids

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Find the best folk music for kids, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for kids sing-along songs, campfire songs, or just some good old fashioned folk tunes, we’ve got you covered.

Introduction

Folk music is a great way to introduce your kids to different cultures and musical styles. It can be fun and lively, or soothing and calming. And there are so many different types of folk music from all over the world to choose from.

Here are some of our favorite folk music albums for kids:

Heading: The Best Folk Music for Kids
Album: The Kingston Trio – At Large
The Kingston Trio was one of the most popular folk groups of the 1950s and 1960s, and their album At Large is a great introduction to their sound. It includes upbeat renditions of traditional folk songs like “500 Miles,” “This Land Is Your Land,” and “Tom Dooley.”

Album: Woody Guthrie – Ride This Train
Woody Guthrie was one of the most influential folk musicians of his generation, and his album Ride This Train is a great collection of his work. It includes classics like “This Land Is Your Land” and “Oh, Susannah,” as well as more unusual selections like “Hard Travelin'” and “Talking Dust Bowl Blues.”

Album: Pete Seeger – We Shall Overcome
Pete Seeger was a legendary figure in the folk music world, and his album We Shall Overcome is an essential collection of his work. It includes classics like “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season),” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,” and “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).”

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a style of music that is passed down through generations. It is usually about the everyday life of people and their culture. Folk music can be about love, loss, happiness, or anything else that is happening in a person’s life.

Origins

Folk music originates from the traditions of a culture and is passed down orally from one generation to the next. It’s typically simple in structure and melody and often has regional or cultural significance. Folk music is often played on acoustic instruments, such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas.

Folk music has its roots in the oral tradition of storytelling. For centuries, folk tunes were created and passed down by word of mouth. These songs were about everyday life, love, work, and play. Many folk songs were about important events in history orcelebrated the changing seasons.

Folk music began to change in the late 19th century with the rise of popular music. Folk songs were adapted for the stage and for wider audiences. As folk music became more commercialized, it began to lose some of its originality.

Despite these changes, folk music has remained an important part of many cultures around the world. It is a type of music that is simple, honest, and reflective of the human experience. Folk music can be a great way to introduce children to different cultures and teach them about their own heritage.

Characteristics

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation and often reflects the traditions, customs, and culture of a specific region or country. Folk songs often have simple melodies and lyrics that tell stories about the everyday lives of people. Many folk songs have been passed down orally for centuries, and some date back to the Middle Ages.

Folk music can be divided into two main categories: traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. Traditional folk music includes songs that were passed down orally over many generations, while contemporary folk music includes more modern versions of folk songs as well as original compositions.

There are many different subgenres of folk music, including but not limited to: bluegrass, Celtic, old-time, Cajun, cowboy, gospel, work Songs, nursery rhymes, serenades, and ballads.

The Best Folk Music for Kids

Folk music can provide a rich and varied musical experience for kids. It can introduce them to different cultures, teach them about different instruments, and provide a fun and upbeat soundtrack for any situation. Plus, many parents find that kids who listen to folk music tend to be more well-rounded and open-minded than those who don’t. Here are some of the best folk music albums for kids.

Traditional Songs

Traditional songs are a great way to introduce your kids to folk music. Many of these songs have been passed down for generations, and they offer a glimpse into the past. Many of these songs are also very catchy, and your kids will soon be singing them around the house. Here are some of our favorite traditional folk songs for kids:

-“I Have Seen the Mountains”
-“The Danube Wave”
-“I Ride an Old Paint”
-“She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain”
-“Bile Them Cabbage Down”
-“Oh Shenandoah”
– “This Land Is Your Land”

Nursery Rhymes

Folk music is a fun and easy way to introduce your child to music. There are many different styles of folk music, from the traditional songs of the British Isles to the modern folk music of America. Folk music is generally simple, with catchy melodies and easy-to-understand lyrics. It is the perfect type of music for kids to sing along to.

Nursery rhymes are some of the most popular folk songs for kids. These short, simple songs are often passed down from generation to generation. Many of them have been around for centuries. Nursery rhymes are a great way to teach your child about language and rhythm. They can also be a lot of fun to sing together.

Here are some popular nursery rhymes that your child is sure to enjoy:

-“Mary Had a Little Lamb”
-“This Old Man”
-“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
-“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
-“Hickory Dickory Dock”
-“I’m a Little Teapot”

Action Songs

Action songs are great for kids because they get kids up and moving. Not only are they fun, but they also help improve gross motor skills. Many action songs also incorporate counting or other simple math concepts, which makes them doubly educational. And since they’re typically about things that kids love— such as animals, transportation, and weather—they’re also very relatable. Here are some of our favorites:

-The More We Get Together
-If You’re Happy and You Know It
-Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
-The Wheels on the Bus
-I’m a Little Teapot
-Itsy Bitsy Spider
-Row Row Row Your Boat

Animal Songs

From “Old McDonald” to “The Wheels on the Bus,” kids love songs about animals. Here are some of our favorite folk songs about animals that are perfect for sing-alongs, circle time, or anytime!

-“Bingo” is a classic children’s song about a farm dog who goes on an adventure.
-“She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain” is a fun song about a donkey that will make kids giggle.
-“The Bear Went Over the Mountain” is a silly song that kids will love to sing and dance to.
-“I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” is a classic folk song that has been passed down for generations.
-“The Cat Came Back” is a hilarious song about a cat who just won’t stay away.
-“Home on the Range” is a beautiful folk song about the American West.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our roundup of the best folk music for kids. This genre of music is so rich and varied, and there are so many great artists making great music for kids. We hope you’ll explore more of this wonderful music with your family.

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