Best Lullabies for Kids

 
Sometimes, little ones love bedtime, but other times, sending a baby off to dreamland requires feeding, swaddling, or singing a sweet bedtime song to the baby. But what should you sing, exactly? These five classic lullabies are a good place to start. Softly croon or hum one of them and you’ll soothe your upset baby in no time.

Hush, Little Baby:

This humorous song is basically about the power of bribery. It lists all the wonderful gifts that a baby will receive from his mom—as long as there are no tears at bedtime.

Hush, little baby, don’t way a word

Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird don’t sing

Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,

Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke

Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat don’t pull

Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over

Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover won’t bark

Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down

Well, you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star:

Sing an ode to the nighttime sky with this favorite lullaby. To take it a step further, add glow-in-the-dark decals of constellations to your child's ceiling, so you can look up at them while you sing.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are

Rock-a-Bye Baby:

There are only four lines to this simple song, so just keep repeating them until your baby is asleep.

Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall

And down will come baby, cradle and all

You Are My Sunshine:

This song dates back to the 1930s, but its message is timeless. For the lullaby, stick to the chorus.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

You’ll never know dear

How much I love you

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Brahms' Lullaby:

This is a German lullaby that is also known as "Lullaby and Goodnight."

Lullaby and goodnight, with roses bedtight

With lilies o’er spread is baby’s wee bed

Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed

Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed

Lullaby and goodnight, thy mother’s delight

Bright angels beside my darling abide

They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast

They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast