Have you ever wondered which cleanup song your little one is trying to sing after coming home from daycare? Or maybe you’re looking for creative solutions that make kids want to cooperate with cleaning up and other daily routines that can be challenging for toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids.
Music can help kids learn routines and get into the flow of what needs to be done. Plus, it’s an easy way to add some joy to mundane tasks — for kids and grownups!
With the following song suggestions, instead of going red in the face from saying “put away your toys” or “brush your teeth” 25 times in a row, you can capture your kids’ attention in a fun, developmentally appropriate way.
The best cleanup songs for kids
If you have toddlers or preschoolers, you’ve probably heard the cleanup song that Barney popularized that goes, “Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere…” It’s catchy, and kids of a certain age love it.
But if your kids have outgrown that classic, or you’re ready to switch things up with another song, check out these helpful kids’ tunes in various styles including hip hop, rock, and jazz! Your kids (and you!) will be singing along and dancing while cleaning up.
- “Swab the Deck – Pirate Clean Up Song” by Danny Go!
- “Clean Up Song” by Gracie’s Corner
- “Clean It Up!” by The Juicebox Jukebox
- “Pick Up Something” by Jazzy Ash
- “Clean Up” by Shawn Brown
- “Clean It Up” by The Laurie Berkner Band
- “The Clean Up Song” by Ronnie Boy Kids
- “Clean up as a Team” by Anthony Broughton
- “Clean Up Song – Interactive” by The Singing Walrus
- “This Room Ain’t Gonna Clean Itself” by The Tallest Kid in the Room
Listen to the kids’ cleanup playlist:
For more support and inspiration, see these hacks for motivating kids to do household chores.
Other helpful routine songs for kids
Cleaning up isn’t the only thing that parents and caregivers have to teach little kids to do, despite their resistance. For other parts of the routine like brushing teeth, taking a bath, and getting ready for school, add some of these songs to the rotation.
Play these kids’ songs for morning routines and getting ready for school:
- “The Wake Up Shake Up” by The New Fangles
- “Incredible Day” by Captain & Cat
- “Peanut Butter Toast” by Peanut Butter Jams
- “Clothes on, Eat Breakfast, Brush Teeth, Put on Shoes, and off to School” by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
- “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi
- “Tooth Bruh” by Pierce Freelon
- “Hop to School” by Jazzy Ash
For some other upbeat morning songs to help your kids have a great day, see our list of kids’ positive affirmations songs.
Play these kids’ songs to help with dinner, bathtime, and getting ready for bed:
- “Chew Your Food” by Groovy Nate
- “Vegetables Are Funky” by The Vegetable Plot
- “Yummy Yummy Fresh” by Mista Cookie Jar & Alphabet Rockers
- “Splish Splash,” “Rubber Duckie,” and the rest of Sesame Street’s Splish Splash album!
- “Potty” by Groovy Nate
- “Pajama Time!” by The Laurie Berkner Band
Listen to the kids’ daily routines playlist:
