Music has always been a big part of our home. And if I’m going to have a children’s song stuck in my head all day anyway, we might as well mix in a little Spanish too.
As an Afro-Panamanian mom raising Afro-Latino kids with both Black and Latino cultures, introducing my children to Spanish isn’t just about learning another language. It’s also one of the ways I can keep them connected to a part of who we are.
That’s one reason I love using music. Kids don’t have to sit down for a formal Spanish lesson to start hearing new words and becoming familiar with the language. We can turn on music in the car, dance around the house, or sing songs they already recognize in another language.
So I put together some of my favorite Spanish and English songs for kids, along with Spanish children’s songs and familiar nursery rhymes that can help introduce kids to the language through music.
You’ll find everything from traditional songs like Los Pollitos Dicen and De Colores to Spanish versions of familiar nursery rhymes like The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Five Little Monkeys. I’ve also included a few songs that are just plain fun to dance to because sometimes learning starts with getting up and moving!
Why Use Spanish and English Songs With Kids?
Songs can make hearing and practicing another language feel much more natural. Repetition, rhythm, movement, and familiar melodies give kids opportunities to hear the same words again and again without turning it into a lesson.
And for our family, there’s another piece to it: culture. Spanish music gives me another way to expose my children to the language and cultures that are part of their Afro-Latino heritage.
You don’t have to be raising bilingual children to use these songs, either. They’re an easy way to introduce any child to Spanish while singing, dancing, playing, or riding in the car.
Language Exposure
Kids can repeatedly hear Spanish vocabulary, pronunciation, numbers, colors, animals, and everyday phrases through music.
Cultural Connection
Songs can introduce children to music and traditions from different Spanish-speaking cultures, not just Spanish vocabulary.
Family Fun
Sometimes the biggest benefit is simply having fun together. Put on a song, dance around the living room, and don’t worry about whether anybody’s Spanish pronunciation is perfect.
Spanish and English Bilingual Songs for Kids
These are especially helpful when you’re introducing kids to Spanish because they incorporate both languages or make it easy for children to connect English words they already know with Spanish.
1. Canta y Baila — Canticos
If you’re looking for bilingual songs created specifically for little ones, Canticos is a great place to start. Their music introduces children to Spanish and English through catchy songs, colorful characters, repetition, and movement.
Canta y Baila is especially fun when you want kids to get up and participate instead of simply listening.
2. The Itsy Bitsy Spider / La Araña Pequeñita
Most kids already know The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which makes the Spanish version a fun way to introduce another language without starting with an unfamiliar song.
Sing it once in English and then again as La Araña Pequeñita. The familiar melody and hand motions give kids context even when they don’t understand every Spanish word yet.
3. Five Little Monkeys / Cinco Monitos
Five Little Monkeys is another familiar children’s song that works well in both English and Spanish.
Because kids already know the counting pattern, Cinco Monitos gives them an opportunity to hear Spanish numbers and phrases while still understanding what’s happening in the song.
4. Old MacDonald Had a Farm / El Viejo MacDonald
Animal songs are especially easy to incorporate into bilingual play because kids can connect the Spanish animal names with sounds and animals they already recognize.
Try singing Old MacDonald in English first and then switching to a Spanish version. You can even pause and let your child choose which animal comes next.
5. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes / Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillas y Pies
This is one I’d add to your original list.
Kids can touch each body part as they sing, giving them a visual and physical connection to the Spanish vocabulary. Once they get comfortable, speed it up and see if everybody can keep up. That’s when the chaos begins.
6. If You’re Happy and You Know It / Si Estás Feliz
Another familiar song makes learning Spanish vocabulary feel less intimidating. Kids can clap, stomp, and follow the actions while hearing the words in Spanish.
This is especially good for younger kids because they don’t have to understand every word to participate.
Traditional Spanish Songs and Nursery Rhymes for Kids
Not every song on this list uses both Spanish and English. Traditional Spanish children’s songs are another fun way to expose kids to the language while introducing them to music that children have enjoyed for generations.
7. Los Pollitos Dicen
Los Pollitos Dicen is a classic Spanish children’s song about little chicks and their mother hen. The repetition and simple story make it a great choice for younger kids who are just beginning to hear Spanish regularly.
You can also add hand motions or pretend to be little chicks while singing because apparently everything is more fun when Mom has to participate too.
8. De Colores
De Colores is a traditional Spanish-language folk song filled with references to colors, nature, and the beauty of the world around us.
I like this one because it gives kids exposure to Spanish beyond basic vocabulary drills while also introducing them to a song with deep roots in Spanish-speaking communities.
9. La Gallina Turuleca
If your kids like silly songs, La Gallina Turuleca is a fun one to add to the playlist. The song follows a rather unusual hen and uses repetition and counting throughout the story.
That combination makes it especially fun for younger kids who enjoy singing, counting, and laughing at a song that’s a little goofy.
10. Feliz Cumpleaños
Birthdays are an easy opportunity to make Spanish part of something your child already knows and celebrates.
Try singing Happy Birthday in English and then singing Feliz Cumpleaños in Spanish. It’s a simple tradition you can repeat at every family birthday without making language learning feel like homework.
11. El Coquí
El Coquí is a great opportunity to connect music with Puerto Rican culture. The coquí is a tiny frog strongly associated with Puerto Rico and known for its distinctive call.
Instead of only learning Spanish words through a song, kids can also learn why the coquí is culturally significant and even find Puerto Rico on a map afterward.
12. La Cucaracha
La Cucaracha is one of those traditional Spanish songs many adults recognize even if they don’t remember where they first heard it.
The melody is catchy and easy to remember, which can make it fun for kids to sing along. Because the traditional song has many different verses and historical versions, I’d stick with a child-friendly recording when adding it to a kids’ playlist.
Spanish Songs for a Family Dance Party
Not every song we listen to has to be an educational children’s song. Sometimes I just want to turn the music up and dance with my kids. These Spanish-language songs are fun additions to a family dance party and give kids another opportunity to hear Spanish through music.
13. Despacito — Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
You already knew Despacito was going to make an appearance somewhere. The song’s catchy beat makes it almost impossible not to move when it comes on.
Because the original wasn’t created specifically for children, I recommend choosing a kid-friendly or clean version when you’re playing it with younger kids. KIDZ BOP has released its own version, which may be a better fit for a family playlist.
14. Baila Baila Baila — Ozuna
The title basically gives us our instructions: dance, dance, dance!
Baila Baila Baila is another upbeat Spanish-language song that can get everybody moving while giving kids exposure to the sound and rhythm of Spanish. Like other mainstream songs on this list, parents should choose the version they’re comfortable playing for their family.
15. Calma — Pedro Capó
Calma brings a laid-back Puerto Rican vibe to the family playlist. The song is all about slowing down, relaxing, and enjoying the moment, which makes it a nice change of pace from some of the more energetic dance songs on this list.
How to Use Spanish and English Songs Throughout Your Child’s Day
You don’t need to turn bilingual music into a formal lesson. I think it works best when music becomes part of the things your family is already doing. The goal is exposure, repetition, connection, and having fun.
Start the Morning With Music
Turn on a few Spanish or bilingual songs while everyone is getting dressed or eating breakfast. Even if your child isn’t singing along yet, they’re still getting familiar with the sounds and rhythm of the language.
Turn the Car Into Karaoke
The car is one of my favorite places for music because we’re already sitting there with nowhere else to go. Create a playlist with a mix of English, Spanish, and bilingual songs and let your kids choose their favorites.
Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation. Sing along, repeat the words you recognize, and let the music do its thing.
Have a Family Dance Party
Sometimes we need to get some energy out! Put on an upbeat song and let everybody dance.
This can also be a fun way to pair Spanish words with movement. Songs that include body parts, numbers, animals, or actions give kids something they can physically do while they listen.
Sing Familiar Songs in Both Languages
This is one of the easiest ways to introduce Spanish because your child already knows what to expect.
Try singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider in English and then La Araña Pequeñita. Do the same with songs like Five Little Monkeys or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
They don’t have to understand every Spanish word immediately. The familiar melody and movements help provide context.
Slow Things Down at Bedtime
Not every song needs to turn into a dance party. Add slower Spanish or bilingual lullabies to your bedtime routine, especially if music already helps your child wind down.
For us, the bigger goal isn’t to quiz our kids afterward or ask, “What Spanish words did you learn?” It’s simply giving them consistent opportunities to hear another language while doing something they enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish and English Songs for Kids
What are some good Spanish and English songs for kids?
Some good choices include familiar children’s songs that can be sung in both languages, such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider/La Araña Pequeñita, Five Little Monkeys/Cinco Monitos, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes/Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillas y Pies, and If You’re Happy and You Know It/Si Estás Feliz. Bilingual children’s music from groups like Canticos is another great option.
Can kids learn Spanish through songs?
Songs can be a fun way to expose children to Spanish vocabulary, pronunciation, and familiar phrases. Repetition and familiar melodies can make it easier for kids to hear the same words multiple times without it feeling like a formal language lesson.
What are some Spanish nursery rhymes for kids?
Popular Spanish children’s songs and nursery rhymes include Los Pollitos Dicen, La Araña Pequeñita, Cinco Monitos, La Gallina Turuleca, and De Colores. You can mix these with familiar songs your child already knows in English.
Do bilingual songs have to include both Spanish and English?
Not necessarily. Some bilingual children’s songs use both languages in the same recording, while families can also create a bilingual experience by singing the English and Spanish versions of the same song. I like using a combination of both.
Making Spanish and English Music Part of Our Family
For me, this is about more than building a playlist or teaching my kids a few Spanish words. Music gives me another way to connect them to a language and culture that are part of our family’s story.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Sing Los Pollitos Dicen together, switch a familiar nursery rhyme from English to Spanish, or put on Calma and have a family dance party in the living room. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s exposure, connection, and making memories together.
And listen, if we’re going to hear the same song 47 times because the kids have decided it’s their new favorite, it might as well be one we can all dance to.
What Spanish or bilingual songs are favorites in your house? Drop them in the comments because I’m always looking for something new to add to our playlist.
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