Lullabies for Children

I have always struggled with lullabies, mostly because I have no memory for song lyrics. My partner is a singer and can pull lyrics and the tune out of her brain for songs she hasn’t sung for 20 years. I can barely remember the lyrics to a song I have just heard on the radio. My lullaby repertoire is quite limited and mostly came from books we had or youtube. Here are a collection of my kids’ favourite ones. They are easy to learn and remember.

I’ve included videos to help you learn the songs and links to the books that we have and read or sing along to. I find these very helpful since I am so incapable of remembering the lyrics. The book links are affiliate links which means no difference in price for you and a small commission for me to help run this site.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Most of us only ever learn the short version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which is not really a long enough song to help put kids to sleep. The full version is 5 verses long and we have been singing it to our kids for years. The lyrics are below.

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! **** When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark, Lights the traveller in the dark,— Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!

Baby Beluga

I have quite literally sung this song almost every night for the past ten years, and many nights I sing it more than once. My oldest will accept only this song as her bedtime song. My youngest is also a big fan so if I am on a solo parenting night, I get to do two rounds of Baby Beluga, so I do know these lyrics pretty well…

Baby Beluga

Wynken, Blynken and Nod

This is a new addition to my repertoire, largely because we have the book and I had been reading it to my three year old and she asked me to sing it like mummy does. That is an immediate red flag for me since I am not remotely the singer that mummy is, so this kind of request is usually trouble for me. Fortunately I found the below video and now I sing along. I haven’t yet been able to sing it without accompaniment since I can’t seem to remember the tune.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Hush Little Baby

We don’t have the book for this one. I added this one into the mix of songs I can perform on command because one day when my eight year old was pushing for something new, I suddenly remembered parts of this one and looked up the lyrics. Our eight year old does not have the same appreciation for my singing abilities as my other two kids. She much prefers mummy’s wide-ranging options, and when it is my turn to sing to her, she gets me to sing a mixed up version of Baby Beluga – conveniently titled Crazy Begula – or she requests Hush Little Baby.

Hush Little Baby

Fais Dodo

This is one I busted out a few times when my kids were younger to impress them with my French abilities. Ever since they started French immersion at school I have had to drop this one since now they know better.

FAIS DODO

I hope these are helpful for you. Especially if like me you are hopeless at remembering lyrics and the tune for songs. Let me know your favourite songs that you sing to put your kids to bed and I’ll compile them into another post to provide more options for other parents seeking lullaby ideas and options.