Calming Music for Kids: Gentle Songs for Sleep, Quiet Time and the Classroom

Looking for calming music for kids? Whether you need help at bedtime, a quiet moment after a busy afternoon, or soft background music for the classroom, the right songs can make a real difference. Calm music gives children a signal that it is time to slow down.

Below you will find our gentlest songs, grouped by when to use them: calming music for sleep, calming piano music with no words, long calming mixes of 30 minutes and 1 hour, and calming music for the classroom. Every song is free to watch or listen to right here on Good Kids Company.

What makes music calming for kids?

Not every “kids song” is relaxing. Many are made to get children dancing. Calming music for kids usually has a few things in common:

• A slow, steady beat with no sudden changes in speed.
• Soft sounds like piano, gentle voices and warm tones instead of drums and loud effects.
• Simple, repeated melodies. Children can predict what comes next, which feels safe and soothing.
• Quiet lyrics, or no words at all. Fewer words give a busy mind less to follow.

All of the songs below were written and produced with these ideas in mind.

Calming music for kids to sleep

These are our favorite calming songs for bedtime and nap time. Each one is slow, soft and repetitive, with simple words about closing your eyes, the moon and the stars.

Let's Go to Sleep

A soft, simple goodnight song: “Let’s close our eyes and go drifting away.” Short enough to use every night as the last song before lights out.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

It's Time to Go to Sleep

A gentle song that walks children through getting ready for bed: put away your things, put your pillow under your head and start to dream.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Hush Little Baby

Our version of the classic lullaby “Hush, Little Baby,” sung slowly and softly. A favorite for babies and toddlers.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

The world’s best-known lullaby, calm and easy to sing along to.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Dreaming of Ones You Love

An original, dreamy lullaby with a slow, floating melody.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Calming piano music for kids (instrumental, no words)

Sometimes words are too much. Instrumental music for kids is perfect for falling asleep, quiet reading, drawing or rest time, because there is nothing to listen to except a soft melody. These piano versions of our songs are some of the calmest music we have made.

Lullaby (Piano Version)

Soft solo piano, slow and steady. One of our most popular calming videos for sleep.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Let's Go to Sleep (Piano)

The piano version of “Let’s Go to Sleep”: the same familiar melody, with no words.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

It's Time to Go to Sleep (Piano Version)

A quiet piano version of “It’s Time to Go to Sleep.”

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Hush Little Baby (Piano Version)

The classic lullaby “Hush, Little Baby” on solo piano.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - (Piano Version)

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” played slowly on piano. A gentle choice for babies.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Dreaming of Ones You Love - Piano Version

A soft piano version of our original lullaby.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Tip: If your child knows the words to a song, the piano version still “sings” it in their head. That makes piano versions a great way to fade out singing at the end of a bedtime routine.

Long calming music mixes: 30 minutes and 1 hour

Many parents look for calming music that plays for 30 minutes or 1 hour, so they do not have to restart a song again and again. These two mixes play our calmest songs back to back.

Baby Sleep Music

A 32-minute sleep mix: our gentlest songs, then piano versions, then extra-soft piano versions with white noise to finish.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Nursery Rhyme Lullaby for Babies

About 1 hour of lullabies and nursery rhymes for babies, with sung songs first and quiet piano versions later.

Watch the video and see the lyrics →

Calming music for the classroom

Teachers often use calming music for kids in the classroom during quiet reading, independent work, rest time or the first minutes after recess. A few tips that work well:

• Choose instrumental music for work time. The piano versions above have no words to compete with reading or thinking.
• Keep the volume low, just loud enough to notice. Calm music should sit in the background.
• Use the same song as a signal. Playing one calm song every day for quiet time teaches children what that music means.
• Try a longer mix for rest time, such as the 32-minute sleep mix, so the music does not stop halfway through.

How to use calming music with your child

1. Start 10 to 15 minutes before sleep or quiet time, so the music helps your child slow down instead of rushing to catch up.
2. Use the same few songs every day. Familiar songs are more soothing than new ones.
3. Listen instead of watching at bedtime. Put the screen away or turn it face down and let the music play as audio. Pediatric experts recommend keeping screens out of the bedtime routine.
4. Keep it quiet. Place the speaker across the room rather than right next to your child.
5. Sing along softly. Your voice is the most calming sound your child knows. The full lyrics are on each song page.

Want more ideas for the hour before bed? Read our guide to bedtime songs for toddlers and babies, which includes a simple bedtime routine with music.