Child Christmas Music

100 Christmas Songs for Kids
Get your little ones (and yourself!) in the holiday mood by singing along to these children's Christmas classics. Accompany the Wonder Kids Choir as they perform 100 of the best-known, best-loved songs of the season. Lyrics included!

A Very Merry Chipmunk
So what do Celine Dion, Kenny G, and Patty Loveless all have in common? They all team up with Alvin and the Chipmunks for this collection of oh-so-cute Christmas classics. Kenny G's nasally woodwinds are a perfect complement to the Chipmunks sound, and the reworking of their "Chipmunk Song" seems almost new because of it. Celine teaches the critters a lesson in French with "Petit Papa Noel," while Patty Loveless puts some twang in the Chipmunks' furry hides with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." There are more, ahem, "artistic" moments here with the woodland heroes hooking up The Boys Choir of Harlem for "Christmas Time Uptown." And through some studio magic, Gene Autry appears with the Chipmunks for a sing-along of his classic "Rudolph." Adults will probably get more than one laugh out of this if the kids don't drive them crazy with it first. --Steve Gdula

A Charlie Brown Christmas
The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind's eye. Play it a few more times, though (ignoring the dialogue snippets, if you can), and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi's wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You'll hear why he's such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you'll also realize that Winston's holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia--keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection. --Michael Ruby

Nick at Nite: A Classic Cartoon Christmas, Too
Next to the Grinch, the most-loved Christmas villain has got to be the Heat Miser. If "Year Without a Santa Claus" were ever Broadway-bound, the Heat Miser's song would be the showstopper. The theme of his brother, Snow Miser, is nothing to sneeze at either. Both are included on this collection along with "We Wish You a Hairy Chestwig," thanks to Ren & Stimpy. On the more touching side, Burl Ive's "Silver and Gold" is still as warm as brandy, or tea, depending on your tastes, and "There's Always Tomorrow" from Rudolph's epic tale was written to tug at the ol' heart strings. On a more traditional note, "Follow the Star," from The Beginner's Bible Sings stays with the true spirit of the season. --Steve Gdula

Frosty the Snowman
This is the type of collection that presents an interesting dilemma for parents: The kids will love it and be entertained and occupied for hours. The only drawback is that you will have to hear it. Like most things that appeal to kids, there's something initially charming that soon loses its luster. Great sing-along classics are featured like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." "Up on the House Top" unfortunately has audience participation built right into it with its "click click click" line. "O Tannenbaum" is rather touching, but the inclusion of "Winter Wonderland" just might leave some children asking all the wrong questions. --Steve Gdula

Kazoo Christmas
Be forewarned that you might want to keep this album away from your children. No, there are no "parental advisory" nasty words, but the combination of kids and kazoos can be a deadly threat to any parent's mental health. But seriously, this kooky kollection of Kris Kringle klassics--kustomized for kazoo--is sure to delight just about anyone who hears it, not to mention offering inspiration to budding musicians via the kazoo that's included for play-along fun. Listening all the way through more than a few times might make for kind of tough sledding, but Kazoo Christmas is perfect for amusing the little ones--and a pretty cool option to liven up those holiday party mix tapes, to boot. --David Sprague

The Classical Child's Christmas
For centuries, the spirit of Christmas has been celebrated in song -- from glorious concertos to simple folk carols. The Classical Child's Christmas is a charming collection of 18 of these holiday classics, festively arranged to delight children of all ages. It's the perfect way to enhance Christmas holiday activities like tree trimming, gift-wrapping and cookie baking...a delight for the whole family!

More Christmas Music for Kids