Top 18 Easy Kids Christmas Songs with Lyrics

This list of easy kids Christmas songs with lyrics is perfect for your little elves this holiday season!

image shows a child standing in front of Christmas lights

Christmas is such a special time of year, especially if you have the joy of being around little kids during this time. Between the Christmas presents, Christmas crafts, Christmas movies, the excitement around Santa Claus and all the delicious food, every day feels magical.

Music is a big part of the holiday season, and is a wonderful way to bring out the Christmas spirit. As Buddy the Elf says, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

Many of these songs are great for even young kids. In fact, Christmas songs for preschool can be a powerful teaching tool, no matter if you’re a teacher in a school or doing homeschool with your little ones. During the holidays you can use them to start circle time, playing in the background during Christmas crafts or Christmas activities, for a fun brain break or just a fun Christmas dance party.

Looking for easy Christmas songs for kids to sing? Look no further than this list of popular Christmas songs and lyrics! The kids Christmas songs on this list were specifically chosen because they’re easy for young children to sing along to, or just clap their hands!

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Easy Kids Christmas Songs with Lyrics

Enjoy these Christmas tunes, perfect for reminiscing from your own childhood and teaching a new generation, or even just throwing on a playlist for a kid-friendly Christmas party.

There are a lot of great Christmas to choose from, so I’ve broken these song choices into two categories:

Popular Christmas Songs for Kids
Preschool Learning Christmas Songs

image shows three children singing in front of the christmas tree

Popular Christmas Songs for Kids

1. Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells is first on this list because the chorus is really easy to learn. With a catchy, easy to simple to follow tune, this is on the first songs taught to many children at a very early age (and pair great with shaking some Christmas bells like these, too).

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago
I thought I’d take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And we, we got upsot

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

2. Frosty the Snowman

How many of us grew up singing this popular Christmas song that tells the story of a snowman who comes to life?

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
and two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that
old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head
he began to dance around.

O, Frosty the snowman
was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh
and play just the same as you and me.

Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Frosty the snowman knew
the sun was hot that day,
So he said, “Let’s run and
we’ll have some fun
now before I melt away.”

Down to the village,
with a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there all
around the square saying,
Catch me if you can.

He led them down the streets of town
right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
he heard him holler “Stop!”

For Frosty the snow man
had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye saying,
“Don’t you cry,
I’ll be back again some day.”

Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

One of my own family’s favorite Christmas songs, this is such a fun one for the entire family to get into during the Christmas season.

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say,
“Rudolph, with your nose so bright,
won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
you’ll go down in history!”

4. Away in a Manger

This classic carol is centered around the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, and is so special when you hear young voices singing it.

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
‘Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

I loved this one as a kid! Most kiddos are already very mindful of their behavior at Christmas to avoid receiving a lump of coal, and it’s such fun one to sing together.

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He’s making a list
And checking it twice;
He’s gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

Oh! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

image shows a child with cookies, milk and carrots on Christmas Eve

6. Silent Night

This Classic Christmas carol also focuses on the real reason for the season.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at thy birth
Jesus Lord, at thy birth

7. Deck the Halls

This traditional Christmas carol is a perennial favorite that dates all the way back to the 16th century.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la

See the blazing yule before us
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
While I tell of yuletide treasure
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Fast away the old year passes
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing we joyous, all together
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa la la la la, la la la la

8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Another really easy one with a simple tune and lyrics, there’s nothing quite like this one for getting your children in the holiday spirit.

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy new year

Chorus:
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a happy new year

Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
And a cup of good cheer

(chorus)

We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
So bring some out here

(chorus)

9. Feliz Navidad

While one of the newer Christmas songs (originally released in 1970), this bilingual holiday classic celebrates the most wonderful time of the year in both English and Spanish. It’s a really easy one for kids to learn.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad

10. Jingle Bell Rock

Released in 1957, this classic by Bobby Helms is largely considered one of the best Christmas songs of all time. This familiar tune is on repeat during the Christmas season.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin’ and blowin’ up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin’ and prancin’ in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin’ in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin’ feet
That’s the jingle bell rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin’ and prancin’ in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin’ in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin’ feet
That’s the jingle bell
That’s the jingle bell
That’s the jingle bell rock

image shows children dressed in Christmas sweaters

You might also enjoy these Christmas crafts:

Mistletoes Easy Christmas Footprint Craft (Great Baby’s First Christmas Craft)

Free Printable Elf Letter Boards

Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments

Cardboard Christmas Tree Pasta Craft

And these Christmas activities:

27 G-Rated Christmas Movies for Kids

80 Christmas Movie Trivia Questions and Answers {Free Printable}

11. Must Be Santa

It’s not Christmas in our house without this sweet Raffi and Bob Dylan tune. This sweet song tests your memory every round. Younger kids and older kids are all sure to giggle!

Who’s got a beard that’s long and white?
Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white.
Who comes around on a special night?
Santa comes around on a special night.
Special night, beard that’s white…
Must be Santa, must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa claus.

Who wears boots and a suit of red?
Santa wears boots and a suit of red.
Who wears a long cap on his head?
Santa wears a long cap on his head.

Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white…
Must be Santa, must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa claus.

Who’s got a big red cherry nose?
Santa’s got a big red cherry nose.
Who laughs this way, “ho, ho, ho!”?
Santa laughs this way, “ho, ho, ho!”.

Ho, ho, ho, cherry nose,
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white…
Must be Santa, must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa claus.

Who very soon will come our way?
Santa very soon will come our way.
Eight little reindeer pull his sleigh.
Santa’s little reindeer pull his sleigh.

Reindeer sleigh, come our way,
Ho, ho, ho, cherry nose,
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white…
Must be Santa, must be santa,
Must be santa, santa claus.

Dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen,
Eisenhower, kennedy, johnson, nixon.
Dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen,
Carter, reagan, bush, and clinton.

Reindeer sleigh, come our way,
Ho, ho, ho, cherry nose,
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white…
Must be santa, must be santa,
Must be santa, santa claus

12. Little Drummer Boy

A fun one especially for kids who love to drum along.

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum

A new born king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the king
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum

So to honor him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come

Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum pa rum

Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our king
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum

I played my drum for him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum

Then he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Rum pum pum pum

12. Oh Christmas Tree

The lyrics I’m sharing aren’t the traditional ones, but this kid version of Oh Christmas Tree is still very popular (and much easier for most kids to sing).

O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging

Not only green when
Summer’s here
But also when it’s cold and drear
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging

O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Much pleasure you do give me
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Much pleasure you do give me

How often has the Christmas tree
Given me the greatest glee
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Much pleasure you do give me

From top to bottom
You’re so bright
There’s only splendor for the sight
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Your lights are shining brightly

O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
Your lights are shining brightly

13. 12 Days of Christmas

While this one is tougher for young kids to learn, they’ll still have so much fun singing it with you while trying to remember the order.

On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree

On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the third day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doveds
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the [sixth – twelfth] day of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Six geese a laying
Seven swans a-swimming
Eight maids a-milking
Nine ladies dancing
10 lords a-leaping
11 pipers piping
12 drummers drumming
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

14. All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you “Merry Christmas.”

It seems so long since I could say,
“Sister Susie sitting on a thistle.”
Gosh, oh gee, how happy I’d be
If I could only whistle.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you “Merry Christmas.”

15. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
I don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinkertoy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don’t think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won’t have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door
That’s the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh, what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see my hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
a hippopotamus is all I want
Mom says the hippo would eat me up
But then teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
The kind I saw this summer at the zoo
there’s lots of room for him in our two car garage
I’d feed him there and wash him there
And give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh, what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see my hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Preschool Learning Christmas Songs

Christmas songs for preschool can be a powerful teaching tool, no matter if you’re a teacher in a school or doing homeschool with your little ones. During the holidays you can use them to start circle time, playing in the background during Christmas crafts or Christmas activities, for a fun brain break or just a fun Christmas dance party.

The next four songs are great ones to sing at Christmastime that also circle back to learning: listening, following direction, counting and spelling. As these kids songs aren’t as recognizable, I’ve embedded a music video for each of these so you can learn them, too.

Click on each to watch the YouTube video, and share them with your favorite preschool teacher!

16. 10 Little Elves

Your students can practice counting from 1 to 10 with Santa’s elves as they get the toys ready for Christmas. This simple Christmas kids song prompts children to pretend they are making toys and more.

17. I’m a Little Snowman

Introduce clothing and parts of the body with “I’m A Little Snowman.”

18. S-A-N-T-A

Kids will quickly recognize this tune, as it’s a BINGO-style tribute to everyone’s favorite jolly fellow.

I hope you and the little ones in your life enjoy this list of the best Christmas songs. Which of these Christmas carols is your favorite?

If you enjoyed this craft, be sure to pin it on Pinterest using the image below to make it easier to find next time!

Top 18 Easy Kids Christmas Songs with Lyrics

Easy Kids Christmas Songs with Lyrics