Listmania! Tried and True Music for Kids' Fitness

Everyone loves a good list. They’re quick and easy to read. It’s fun to debate the choices on a list and come up with one of your own. In fact, Listmania is everywhere. Surf the web these days, and you’ll come across lists created by average Joes, popular bloggers, and professional writers. You’ll find someone’s opinion of the best family friendly hotels or the funniest movies from the '80s. There’s an official list of America’s fattest cities and a not-so-official list of the sappiest love songs of all time.

I’m thrilled to have a forum to share my own list. After years of teaching fitness to children, I’ve compiled a list of the most enduring and popular songs that motivate kids to move. I’ve learned what songs can bring an entire gym full of kids to their feet. Some of the songs drive me crazy (“Who Let the Dogs Out”) but they get the job done. I hope this list helps you choose songs to accompany your child’s workout or next birthday party. Before I present the list, here is my criteria in choosing the songs:

Timeless: The songs can’t lose their appeal just because they’re a few years old. They must still inspire kids to sing and dance along, regardless of the fact that they’re not the latest hit. Many of the songs on the list are classics covered by newer artists.

Universal Appeal: You may notice Hannah Montana is missing. I’ve chosen songs that appeal to both boys and girls, of all backgrounds. (Besides, I’ve recently been informed by a bunch of third-grade Girl Scouts that Hannah Montana is sooo over.)

School-Age: Now that I have a young son, I am well acquainted with the Wiggles and Laurie Berkner. But this list focuses on songs for school-age kids, up to Grade 6. Choosing music for kids older than 12 years of age is a whole other, more complicated science.

For the complete list of Classics, Hip-Hop, Dance Tunes and more, check out page 2