25 Children’s Songs About Joy!
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When I started writing my post on 10 Joy Songs, I realized something—sometimes kids’ songs, especially from movies, depict joy just as well!
Perhaps it is the clearer and more direct message or maybe it’s the lightheartedness more present, but joy seems to appear in wonderful ways in so many kids’ songs. So much so, that this post has 25 songs!
As a former camp counselor, I have a whole playlist dedicated to songs that are for kids, and after honing it, these were some of the ones that I found communicated joy so well!
Here are 25 kids’ songs with messages of joy—see if any resonate with you to listen to with a child or on your own to remind yourself of that inner joy always present!
Related Post:
#1: “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman
When I first saw The Greatest Showman I was blown away. The magic, the wonder, the pursuing your dreams—it all seemed present in this film! The song, “A Million Dreams” reminds me of the idea of infinite possibilities that Dr. Joe Dispenza. talks about, and the joy of knowing you have a lot of dreams to accomplish!
“I close my eyes and I can see
The world that’s waiting up for me
That I call my own
Through the dark, through the door
Through where no one’s been before
But it feels like home”
“A Million Dreams”, The Greatest Showman
Listen to the Song:
#2: “It’s All Right” from Soul
“It’s All Right” from Soul is a beautiful song that reminds us that it’s all right. Life is truly all right. The movie, Soul, itself is a wonderful reminder of the joy of living—not just your dreams—but the joy in living itself!
“Make life your goal
And surely somethin’s got to come to you”
“It’s All Right”, Soul
Listen to the Song:
#3: “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana
The story of Moana is such a beautiful one of pursuing the joy of going after your dreams and what your heart calls you to do! “How Far I’ll Go” always reminds me of the power behind saying yes to your dreams!
“See the line where the sky meets the sea?
It calls me
And no one knows
How far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I’ll know
If I go, there’s just no telling how far I’ll go”
“How Far I’ll Go”, Moana
Listen to the Song:
#4: “Broken and Beautiful” from Ugly Dolls
While I haven’t personally seen the movie UglyDolls, I do find this song to be such a wonderful one! It reminds me of that quote by Sophia Bush that says, “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” You can be broken AND beautiful- there is joy in the imperfection!
“I know I’m Superwoman, I know I’m strong
I know I’ve got this ‘cause I’ve had it all along
I’m phenomenal and I’m enough”
“Broken and Beautiful”, Ugly Dolls
Listen to the Song:
#5: “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman
Another great song from The Greatest Showman, “This is Me” shows us the power and joy of being your authentic self—of saying to the world- “This is Me”!
” I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ‘cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum”
“This is Me”, The Greatest Showman
Listen to the Song:
#6: “Good To Be Alive” from The Peanuts Movie
I haven’t seen The Peanuts Movie, but this song always gets me into such a joyful mood when it would come up on my playlist. “Good To Be Alive” shows us the joy of getting to be alive at this moment!
“I’m gonna celebrate this life I’m given
From now on”
“Good To Be Alive”, The Peanuts Movie
Listen to the Song:
#7: “You Will Be Found” from One Voice Children’s Choir
Originally from Dear Evan Hansen, “You Will Be Found” is simply a beautiful song about feeling lost and the joy of being found and supported. Sometimes in life, we may feel lost, and in those times it is important to see your supports available to you that are helping you to feel found again! Sung by One Voice Children’s Choir, this song is a powerful one!
“So let the sun come streaming in
’Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again
Lift your head and look around”
“You Will Be Found”, One Voice Children’s Choir
Listen to the Song:
#8: “Carried Me With You” from Onward
Onward is a beautiful movie about the love that transends death. This song- in particular- reminds me of how even though some of my loved ones are gone, there is a joy in knowing they are still present in my life and helping me along life’s way!
“You picked my heart up off the ground
And it showed me love was all around”
“Carried Me With You”, Onward
Listen to the Song:
#9: “Let It Grow” from The Lorax
“Let It Grow” from the movie, The Lorax ( I haven’t seen the movie, but I enjoy the song!), is more about trees, but when I listen to it, its lyrics remind me of joy as well. Lyrics like “plant a seed and watch it grow”— can easily incorporate the message of joy as well! Let your joy grow!!!
“You can’t reap what you don’t sow
Plant a seed inside the earth
Just one way to know it’s worth
Let’s celebrate the world’s rebirth
We say let it grow”
“Let It Grow”, The Lorax
Listen to the Song:
#10: “Touch The Sky” from Brave
“Touch The Sky” from the movie Brave fills me such wonder, awe and joy when I listen to it! It reminds me of how when you are tapped into your inner sense of joy, you truly feel like you can touch the sky!
“I will ride, I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky”
“Touch The Sky”, Brave
Listen to the Song:
#11: “Try Everything” from Zootopia
I love the theme of this song–try everything! This song from Zootopia helps to remind us that there is such a joy in knowing you have the time to see what resonates with you!
“I want to try everything
I want to try even though I could fail”
“Try Everything”, Zootopia
Listen to the Song:
#12: “Into The Unknown” from Frozen 2
For me, the message of Frozen 2’s ,“Into The Unknown”, is one of trusting in—rather than fearing—what the unknown can bring. The song itself is a journey from being afraid and wanting to stay in your comfort zone to one of wondering what joy could lie in the unknown. As Dr. Joe Dispenza talks about, the magic happens in the unknown!
“As I feel my power grow
Don’t you know there’s part of me
That longs to go
Into the unknown?”
“Into The Unknown”, Frozen 2
Listen to the Song:
#13: “Riding Free” from Spirit: Riding Free
While I haven’t seen Spirit: Riding Free, the song “Riding Free” was one I always enjoyed when it would come up on my playlist when I was a camp counselor. Its upbeat, positive and freeing nature is one that makes me tap into that inner joy of riding free in this wonderful life!
“I’m setting out into the great unknown, I don’t know where I’m going
But I’m ready
Ready to live out every single dream,
I’m stronger than I seem”
“Riding Free”, Spirit: Riding Free
Listen to the Song:
#14: “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman
Something about “From Now On” aligns with the inner joy within me. There’s a sense of knowing, of coming home to your truest self. This beautiful song from The Greatest Showman reminds me to live in the joy of being me!
“Let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on”
“From Now On”, The Greatest Showman
Listen to the Song:
#15: “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins
At the end of Mary Poppins, this song makes its grand appearance. After struggles of not being present in life, the father in the movie realizes he needs to pursue life following his own inner joy, and bursts into this song. It’s such a beautiful reminder of finding joy in the ordinary things like flying kites!
“Oh, let’s go fly a kite!
When you send it flyin’ up there
All at once you’re lighter than air
You can dance on the breeze”
“Let’s Go Fly A Kite”, Mary Poppins
Listen to the Song:
#16: “Better When I’m Dancin’ ” from The Peanuts Movie
“Better When I’m Dancin’” from The Peanuts Movie (again, haven’t seen this one!), is song that makes you want to dance to the joy! It’s upbeat, positive and so much fun to listen to!
“Show the world you’ve got that fire
Feel the rhythm getting louder
Show the world what you can do”
“Better When I’m Dancin’ ” from The Peanuts Movie
Listen to the Song:
#17: “Where You Are” from Moana
While initially the song starts off by encouraging Moana to stay in comfort zone and status quo, I love how this song ends with a message to Moana saying she has to pursue her inner joy and step into the unknown. It’s such a wonderful reminder to pursue your joy even when others may feel you need to stay in the known comfort zone!
“You may hear a voice inside
And if the voice starts to whisper
To follow the farthest star
Moana, that voice inside is
Who you are”
“Where You Are”, Moana
Listen to the Song:
#18: “Loyal, Brave, True” from Mulan (2020)
I love this Mulan (2020) song for its message of developing the characteristics of loyalty, bravery and being true. When one lives with a loyalty to their inner joy, a bravery to pursue their inner joy and staying true to that inner joy—I believe that is where some of the magic of life happens!
“Tell me, underneath my armor
Am I loyal, brave and true?”
“Loyal, Brave, True”, Mulan (2020)
Listen to the Song:
#19: “Lead The Way” from Raya and the Last Dragon
After recently watching Raya and the Last Dragon, “Lead the Way” was such a powerful song to end the movie and is such a joyful song! Lead the way, and show others and yourself what your inner joy is!
“We have a choice to
Build or destroy to
Fight or to come together
Love is a bridge and
Trust is a gift, we
Give it and it gets better”
“Lead the Way”, Raya and the Last Dragon
Listen to the Song:
#20: “Unstoppable” from Spirit: Riding Free
“Unstoppable” from Spirit: Riding Free makes me feel the inner power of pursuing one’s joy! It creates such a feeling of “Unstoppable”-ness when you decide to live with more joy in life!
“You’re gonna hear me above the crowd
Confident and loud
I’m unstoppable now!
You’re gonna see me light up the sky”
“Unstoppable” from Spirit: Riding Free
Listen to the Song:
#21: “Wonder” from Wonder Park
“Wonder” from Wonder Park (I have’t seen this movie yet!) speaks about the power of feeling wonder! In The Book of Joy, one research study cited found the feeling of wonder to actually be one of the feelings that make up the feeling of joy!
“You are the wonder, the light and the thunder
You’re the ultimate star
You can’t be hurried, broken or worried
No, you see in the dark, you see in the dark
There is wonder in your hear”
“Wonder”, Wonder Park
Listen to the Song:
Get the Book…
The book that inspired this whole space! Check out The Book of Joy!
#22: “Who I Am” from Pirate Fairy
Sung by Natasha Bedingfield, “Who I Am” from Pirate Fairy (haven’t seen this movie!), sends such a strong message of the joy of finding oneself when they may have felt lost. It’s a beautiful song with a fun and positive vibe!
“I wanna feel free to be who I am
What I’m about is more than I’ve been
Ready to show the world who I am
Start letting out what I’m holding in
Find my own place to stand”
“Who I Am”, Pirate Fairy
Listen to the Song:
#23: “Wonderful Life” from Small Foot
While I haven’t seen Small Foot, “Wonderful Life” is a song that reminds me of the beauty of wonder. Much like the song “Wonder” above, “Wonderful Life” encourages pursuing that joy of feeling wonder for life! It truly is a wonder-full life!
” ‘Cause a life that’s full of wonder
Is a wonderful life”
“Wonderful Life”, Small Foot
Listen to the Song:
#24: “Nowhere to Go But Up” from Mary Poppins Returns
Sometimes we feel pain in life, but even when we feel like we may be at a rock bottom, “Nowhere to Go But Up” from Mary Poppins Returns reminds us that…well…there’s nowhere to go but up from there. It’s an uplifting message of seeing the positive when we feel knocked down!
“Life’s a balloon
That tumbles or rises
Depending on what is inside
Fill it with hope
And playful surprises
And oh, deary ducks
Then you’re in for a ride”
“Nowhere to Go But Up”, Mary Poppins Returns
Listen to the Song:
#25: ” I See the Light” from Tangled
“I See the Light” from Tangled reminds us of the power of seeing and leaning into our own inner light—and joy! With such a lovely message and the song’s slower nature, “I See the Light” sends us such a great message in a more peaceful and calm manner!
“Now I’m here blinking in the starlight
Now I’m here suddenly I see
Standing here it’s all so clear
I’m where I’m meant to be”
“I See the Light”, Tangled
Listen to the Song:
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