Do you want to learn songs on guitar that are easy to play and enjoyable for kids? While many guitar tunes may appear challenging at first, the good news is that you can have a blast and make quick progress with these 20 popular songs.
The mix of nursery rhymes and catchy songs in the list means that you can also easily sing along with the melodies! So let’s get started:
Contents
- 1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- 2. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
- 3. Mary Had a Little Lamb
- 4. Hot Cross Buns
- 5. Happy Birthday To You
- 6. Old Town Road
- 7. Baby Shark
- 8. Row Your Boat
- 9. Incy Wincy Spider
- 10. How Much Is That Doggie
- 11. The Wheels on The Bus
- 12. Baa Baa Black Sheep
- 13. Jingle Bells
- 14. Let It Go
- 15. Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Wall
- 16. The ABC Song
- 17. Happy Happy Song
- 18. I’m A Little Teapot
- 19. Bingo
- 20. If You Are Happy You Know It
- What makes a song easy on the guitar for kids?
- Start Slow When Teaching Kids Guitar
- Teaching Your Kids Guitar Chords
- Summary
1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
This classic nursery rhyme has a melody that is easy to memorize due to its short-range and repetitive rhythm.
The tutorial does not require the strumming of chords, relying instead on playing notes, making this a great lullaby for beginners to learn.
2. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald is one of those children’s songs that you can change lyrically every time you sing it. This makes it a great choice for guitar, as it helps you learn how to adjust your voice to the tune while singing.
The song is played using three chords, consisting of G major, C major, and D major. These chords are really easy to switch between, and the strumming pattern stays the same throughout the song.
3. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Another well-known nursery rhyme that is rewarding for kids to learn due to its simplicity. The rhyme can be played on the first string of the guitar, the ‘E’ string.
The ability to pluck notes and play a recognizable tune makes playing this song a fun experience for kids.
4. Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns is an English Easter song and nursery rhyme. The melody and tempo of the song are slow, so it’s not difficult to play.
The song is played on the ‘G’ and ‘A’ strings. The notes are plucked on the second fret of the guitar, making it easy for kids to remember the progression.
5. Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday is one of the most recognizable songs that every guitar player should know how to play! It’s the perfect song to play for your friends and family.
The song has many different variations but this tutorial arranges it in a way that is easy to play. It is based on notes and also has one mix of chords, as the tutorial shows, making for some good guitar practice.
6. Old Town Road
One of the most popular country rap songs makes everyone feel like a rock star.
The song is played on two strings at the same time, using two different instruments. The tempo and sequence of this song change throughout, but the notes and arrangement are easy to follow.
7. Baby Shark
Baby Shark took the internet by storm in 2017. The groovy tune has a catchy melody and the lyrics are so simple and straightforward that people of all ages know them.
The song is played on the ‘E’ and ‘G’ strings of the guitar, and the harmony is clear to sing along with.
8. Row Your Boat
Row Your Boat is a beloved nursery rhyme that everyone remembers from their childhood.
The repetitive melody and clear chord progression make this an exciting tune to learn on the guitar. Follow the tutorial to learn how to play it accurately in under 10 minutes.
9. Incy Wincy Spider
Incy Wincy Spider is an iconic nursery rhyme that is known all around the world.
The song is played in G major, has an easy melody line and the tempo can be adjusted according to your needs. This is a great song to learn when you are trying to practice strumming on an easy sequential melody.
10. How Much Is That Doggie
Another tune that is played in G Major, How Much Is That Doggie is a sweet novelty song that can help you master the G Major chord progressions. The song has a relaxing melody and is fun to play with family and friends.
Follow the tutorial and you will be a master at this song in no time.
11. The Wheels on The Bus
The Wheels on the Bus is a classic children’s song, and it is one of those catchy songs that is easy to remember. It typically involves basic open chords and a simple strumming pattern.
The simplified version uses just two chords and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it easy for beginners to play.
12. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa Baa Black Sheep is a nursery rhyme that children love and you’ll only need to use three tabs to learn this tune. You can strum each chord once per syllable or at a comfortable pace for your playing level.
The song is quite simple and repetitive, which makes it great for beginners to practice chord transitions and strumming. You can also experiment with different strumming patterns to make it more interesting as you progress.
13. Jingle Bells
14. Let It Go
Let It Go from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’ is a popular song that can be played on the guitar. It’s not overly complex, making it suitable for beginners. Even though it’s a bit fast, you can learn it quickly with the tab tutorial above.
15. Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Wall
Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Wall is one of the most-loved children’s songs and is also easy to learn on the guitar. It consists of basic chords and a simple melody.
You can strum each chord once for every syllable in the lyrics. Watch the tutorial to get a more specific view needed to practice basic chord transitions and strumming.
16. The ABC Song
17. Happy Happy Song
The Happy Happy Song is a modern children’s song from Noodle & Pals about being happy. It became a popular song when the happy cat meme went viral. It’s an easy track to play on the guitar if you follow the tab tutorial.
18. I’m A Little Teapot
I’m a Little Teapot is an easy song to play on the guitar, especially for beginners. This nursery rhyme uses simple chords and a basic melody. You can play it with just three chords: C major, F, and G7.
It’s an excellent song for practicing basic chord transitions and getting comfortable with strumming.
19. Bingo
“Bingo” is a fun kids’ song about a farmer’s dog. It’s easy to learn on the guitar because it’s slow-paced, making it perfect for beginners to pick up quickly. You can watch the simple tutorial for guidance.
20. If You Are Happy You Know It
What makes a song easy on the guitar for kids?
Guitars are easy for kids to play because of the repetitive strumming pattern of songs. The chords of songs can also be played slowly, making it easy for kids to set their own pace.
Start Slow When Teaching Kids Guitar
Kids will enjoy playing the guitar more when they learn slowly. It is also easier to remember how to play when they take their time.
Make the experience fun and memorable for them by adding in phrases and riddles where possible. For example, the order of the strings (E, B, G, D, A, E) is often remembered by phrases such as, ‘’Every Boy Gets Dinner At Eight’’.
Once the basics are understood, the song can be sped up accordingly.
Teaching Your Kids Guitar Chords
Start by teaching 3 or 4 simple guitar chords that are commonly used in songs. Then focus on how to change between the chords and strumming patterns. This will help your kids see how they can learn thousands of songs by using the same chords.
Summary
Learning a new musical instrument takes time and requires a lot of attention. However, the best thing about guitars is that you can start learning with the music that you love. This makes the process of learning fun and inspiring.
The songs on this list are popular, so when you play them in front of your friends or family, everyone can sing along. This makes it a great way to entertain others while having a good time.
I hope that you enjoy learning these easy guitar songs for kids, and I hope you find many more tunes to learn afterward!