Playtime and Dance Songs for Kids: Move, Make Music and Play

Published on November 01, 2026 • 0 comments

Little kids need to move. They jump, spin, stomp and run all day long, and music gives all that energy a happy place to go. A good playtime song can turn a rainy afternoon into a dance party, or a walk to the park into a big adventure.

Below are 13 playtime and dance songs for kids from Leigha Marina. Some get kids dancing and making music, some are about playing outside, and some are all about pretend play. You can find every album and song in our playtime and dance songs for little kids collection.

Songs to Dance and Move To

Roar Like A Dinosaur

"You'll hear me roar, roar, roar, cause I'm a dinosaur!" In this action song, kids get to be a different dinosaur in each verse. They flap their wings like a pterodactyl, munch plants and leaves like a stegosaurus, shake the ground like a brontosaurus, show three horns like a triceratops and stomp like a T rex, "the king of all the dinos."

Try this: Act out each dinosaur, and save your loudest roar for the end.

Left and Right

Bebo rides his bike through a snowy town, but he can't tell left from right. His friends show him an easy trick: "Right is when I do thumb up, and left is where my heart is at." Then kids raise the hand they hear, step with their feet and jump to each side. It is a fun way to learn directions while moving.

The Coconut Song

"It's a coco coconut from the tree!" This catchy song has simple action steps. You grab the coconut, crack it open, drink the sweet water and eat the meat with a spoon. The "I say coco coconut, you say coco coco nut" part is great for call and answer singing with a group.

The Bubble Gum Song

Little penguins chew bright pink gum and dare each other to blow the biggest bubble ever. They "chew, chew, chew" and "blow, blow, blow," and the song ends with a funny surprise that always makes kids laugh. Little ones can pretend to chew and blow along with the music.

The Never Ending Song

One little penguin starts a song in class that "goes on and on and it never really stops." Every time a new friend walks in, everyone has to start again from the top, and the poor teacher keeps waiting for class to begin. This silly song is a favorite for kids who love a joke.

Make Music Together

The Penguin Band

"This is the penguin band, playing instruments in the penguin land." Each penguin shows off one instrument: the piano with black and white keys, the violin played with a bow, the guitar with six strings, the trumpet with three buttons and the drums played "with both hands and feet." After each verse, kids get to hear how it sounds.

Try this: Pretend to play each instrument, or use pots, spoons and boxes to make your own band.

Bob the Little Cricket and The Bug Band

Bob the cricket is tired of singing alone, so he jumps into the woods to find a band. He meets a worm on the xylophone, a bee on the violin, an ant on a funky drum and a shy butterfly with maracas who thinks she is not good enough. Bob tells her that "love and practice will make us an amazing band." It is a sweet song about teamwork and being brave.

Songs About Playing Outside

Let's Go Out And Play

"It's a beautiful day, let's get out and play!" This happy song is full of outdoor ideas: riding bikes, running, going down the slide, climbing a tree, marching behind a drum and hanging upside down on the monkey bars. It also reminds kids that when it gets late, it is time to go back home safely.

Playtime At The Playground

A see saw, a swing, a slide, monkey bars, a merry go round, a jungle gym, a sandbox and a spring horse. This upbeat song names everything at the playground and invites kids to "swing and climb, run and jump" with their friends. Play it on the way to the park to get everyone excited.

Little Explorer

Little penguin explorers in small hats head outside at sunrise. They climb trees, dig holes and run to see what comes next, because "it's never boring when you're outside." This song is great for nature walks or a morning in the backyard.

Songs for Pretend Play

Imagination Nation

"There's no rules, there's no wrongs when you write your song." This song celebrates pretend play with silly ideas like a fish who can cook, a frog who can fly, a chocolate house, a rainbow slide, a pizza ride and glitter rain. It tells kids, "Don't be scared to be yourself."

Penguin Finds A Treasure

Brave little Bebo packs his bag, grabs his map and sails across the sea to find treasure. On the way, he meets a playful dolphin and a school of fish doing tricks. When he finally opens the chest, it is empty. Then a wise turtle tells him the real treasure is "friends you find and the journey too."

Try this: Draw a treasure map and hide a small toy for your child to find.

The Carnival

A group of friends visits the carnival and sees lions doing tricks, a magician making coins disappear, an acrobat balancing on a rope and a funny clown named Shaun who tells jokes and blows his horn. Kids can take turns acting out each part, from roaring lions to a wobbly walk on a pretend rope.

For more songs you can use with a group, see our circle time and clean up songs. If your child loves Bebo and his friends, our penguin songs for kids are full of more fun.

Tips for Playtime With Music

Clear some space. Move a chair or two so kids can jump and spin without bumping into things.
Do the moves with them. Kids copy you. If you roar and stomp, they will too.
Mix fast and slow. After a few busy songs, play something calm so kids can catch their breath.
Add simple props. Scarves, toy drums, a cardboard box or a paper map make songs feel even more real.
Take it outside. Sing the outdoor songs on the way to the park or in the backyard.

Common Questions

What is a good dance song for toddlers?

Roar Like A Dinosaur is a great pick. Kids flap, munch, stomp and roar like five different dinosaurs, and every move is easy to copy.

Is there a song that teaches kids left and right?

Yes. In Left and Right, Bebo learns a simple trick, and kids practice with their hands and feet as they sing.

What songs are good for pretend play?

Imagination Nation, Penguin Finds A Treasure and The Carnival give kids fun stories and characters to act out.