1. Home
  2. /
  3. Recommendations
  4. /
  5. For the Fans
  6. /
  7. Best Broadway Songs for Kids

Best Broadway Songs for Kids

Recommendations
Published on: Oct 27, 2024
By: Kathryn Willingham
Share Article
Broadway

Best Broadway Songs for Kids

It’s amazing to think that kids as young as nine years old can handle leading a Broadway show (looking at you, Matilda). But it turns out that talented triple threats come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Musicals like Billy Elliot, Annie, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, School of Rock and more are filled with young talent. Here’s a list of songs for, about, and sung by kids – some of them have turned into iconic musical theater songs known all over the world!

Traditionally Sung by Girls

“Castle on a Cloud” from Les Misérables

Young Cosette sings “Castle on a Cloud” as she dreams of a place far away from the world she knows – one where instead of working all day, she has toys, friends, and is taken care of by people who love her.

Who Wrote It? Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Who Sang It? Zoë Hart originated the role in the 1985 West End production.

Listen on Spotify
Tuck Everlasting

“Good Girl, Winnie Foster” from Tuck Everlasting

Winnie Foster has always been a “good girl” – she stays home, plays by the rules, and always listens to her mother. But lately, she’s been feeling an urge to follow her own path, even if it gets her into trouble.

Who Wrote It? Music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Who Sang It? Sarah Charles Lewis

Listen on Spotify

“I Know Things Now” from Into the Woods

Little Red Riding Hood has learned some hard lessons. After being tricked by the wolf, she’s a little wiser, and a little less innocent, about the world she lives in.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Who Sang It? Danielle Ferland originated the role on Broadway.

Listen on Spotify
Shrek the Musical

“I Know It’s Today” from Shrek

“I Know It’s Today” sees Fiona transform from a little girl into a young woman. Young, teenage, and adult Fiona sing together as they bemoan their existence locked in a tower, waiting for a prince to rescue them. But they know from other fairy tale books that someone is definitely coming – and it’s going to be the man of her dreams.

Who Wrote It? Music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire

Who Sang It? Leah Greenhaus, Marissa O’Donnell, and Sutton Foster

Listen on Spotify
Annie Musical

“Maybe” from Annie

Annie dreams about who her parents could be and what they might be doing at this exact moment. She doesn’t really care who they are, as long as they love her and are coming to take her away from the orphanage and Miss Hannigan.

Who Wrote It? Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin

Who Sang It? Andrea McArdle originated the role on Broadway

Listen on Spotify
Mary Poppins Musical

“The Perfect Nanny” from Mary Poppins

Jane Banks, with a little help from her brother Michael, writes an ad for the perfect nanny. She must play games, be kind, give her and her siblings treats, and sing songs. In return, the kids promise not to play any mean tricks on her.

Who Wrote It? Music by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, and George Stiles, lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, and Anthony Drewe

Who Sang It? Nicola Bowman, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Poppy Lee Friar, Charlotte Spencer, and Faye Spittlehouse shared the role of Jane Banks on the West End.

Listen on Spotify

“Naughty” from Matilda the Musical

Matilda loves to read, and she can’t help but be frustrated that the characters in books don’t do anything to change their circumstances. But she knows that her own life isn’t already written for her. Even if life is sometimes unfair, it doesn’t mean she has to take things lying down. She’ll decide her own story…even if she has to be a little bit naughty to put things right.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin

Who Sang It? Cleo Demetriou, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Kerry Ingram, Sophia Kiely originated the role on the West End, and Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon, and Milly Shapiro played the role on Broadway.

Listen on Spotify

“Quiet” from Matilda the Musical

Matilda is starting to realize that she’s a little bit different from her friends. The world often seems so loud and angry and overwhelming, but Matilda also knows how to protect herself and finds peace in solitude and quietness.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin

Who Sang It? Cleo Demetriou, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Kerry Ingram, Sophia Kiely originated the role on the West End, and Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon, and Milly Shapiro played the role on Broadway.

Listen on Spotify

“Ring of Keys” from Fun Home

Young Alison sees a confident gay woman and is fascinated by her. Everything from her lace up boots to her ring of keys speaks to Alison, who feels a kinship with her.

Who Wrote It? Music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Lisa Kron

Who Sang It? Sydney Lucas

Listen on Spotify

Traditionally Sung by Boys

Oliver! the Musical

“Consider Yourself” from Oliver!

Dodger takes Oliver under his wing and welcomes him into the gang, saying they already consider him to be a friend and part of their family.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart

Who Sang It? Martin Horsey originated the role of the Artful Dodger.

Listen on Spotify
Billy Elliot The Musical

“Electricity” from Billy Elliot

Billy, the son of a coal miner, explains what dancing feels like – he finally decides that it feels most like electricity, like being free.

Who Wrote It? Music by Elton John, lyrics by Lee Hall

Who Sang It? Liam Mower, James Lomas, and George Maguire originated the role of Billy Elliot on the West End.

Listen on Spotify
Billy Elliot The Musical

“Expressing Yourself” from Billy Elliot

Michael tells Billy that there’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself. Michael likes wearing dresses, and Billy likes to dance, and both of those things are ok. They don't need to worry about what anyone else thinks.

Who Wrote It? Music by Elton John, lyrics by Lee Hall

Who Sang It? Ryan Longbottom, Ashley Luke Lloyd, and Brad Kavanagh originated the role of Michael andLiam Mower, James Lomas, and George Maguire originated the role of Billy Elliot on the West End.

Listen on Spotify

“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King

Simba is fed up with doing what he’s told. He can’t wait to be in charge – then he’ll finally be giving orders for a change and be able to do whatever he wants.

Who Wrote It? Music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice

Who Sang It? Scott Irby-Ranniar originated the role of Young Simba on Broadway. Jonathan Taylor Thomas voiced the role in the Disney animated film.

Listen on Spotify

“Little People” from Les Misérables

Gavroche warns the Inspector not to underestimate little people – they can do more than you think and be much fiercer than expected. The role of Gavroche is written as male but is sometimes played by actors of all genders.

Who Wrote It? Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Who Sang It? Ian Tucker, Oliver Spencer, and Liza Hayden originated the role of Gavroche.

Listen on Spotify
The Music Man

“Gary, Indiana” from The Music Man

Harold Hill gives young Winthrop confidence and teaches him a song – “Gary, Indiana” – which he sings for his mother and sister, delighting them with his enthusiasm.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Meredith Willson

Who Sang It? Eddie Hodges originated the role of Winthrop Paroo on Broadway. Ron Howard played the role in the film adaptation.

Listen on Spotify

“Not While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Toby tells Mrs. Lovett that he’ll never let anything happen to her. Dangers lurk around every corner, and bad men are everywhere, but he’ll protect her no matter what.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Who Sang It? Ken Jennings originated the role on Broadway (no relation to the Jeopardy! Host)

Listen on Spotify
Oliver! the Musical

“Where Is Love” from Oliver!

Oliver is punished and kept in a basement after he fights a boy for insulting his mother. Oliver wonders when he will finally meet people he cares about and who care for him.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart

Who Sang It? Keith Hamshere originated the role of Oliver on the West End, and Bruce Prochnik played the role on Broadway.

Listen on Spotify

Songs for Groups of Kids

“Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music

Maria teaches the kids how to sing by starting with the basics: do-re-mi. Once the kids master the notes, they soon learn whole melodies and songs.

Who Wrote It? Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Who Sang It? Mary Martin originated the role of Maria on Broadway. Julie Andrews played the role in the film adaptation.

Listen on Spotify
Oliver! the Musical

“Food Glorious Food” from Oliver!

The boys subsist on a diet of gruel, but they dream of feasts with custard and pudding and sausage. Food, glorious food!

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart

Who Sang It? The company of Oliver!

Listen on Spotify
Annie Musical

“It’s the Hard Knock Life” from Annie

Annie and the orphans sing about how hard their life is – other kids may get treats or affection, but they get chores and abuse.

Who Wrote It? Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin

Who Sang It? The company of Annie

Listen on Spotify
Peter Pan the Musical

“I Won’t Grow Up” from Peter Pan

Peter Pan and the Lost Boys sing about how they never want to grow up if growing up means wearing a tie, going to work, and forgetting all the wonderful, fun things about being a child.

Who Wrote It? Music by Moose Charlap with additional music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Who Sang It? The company of Peter Pan

Listen on Spotify
school-of-rock-logo

“If Only You Would Listen” from School of Rock

The students wish their parents would listen to them instead of dismissing what they have to say in “If Only You Would Listen.”

Who Wrote It? Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater

Who Sang It? The company of School of Rock

Listen on Spotify

“My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music

When a thunderstorm spooks them, Maria calms the kids down by telling them to think of their favorite things – things like rain drops on roses or whiskers on kittens.

Who Wrote It? Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Who Sang It? Mary Martin originated the role of Maria on Broadway. Julie Andrews played the role in the film adaptation.

Listen on Spotify

“Revolting Children” from Matilda the Musical

After being pushed too far, the students revolt against Ms Trunchbull and stand up for themselves. Never again will they be bullied and pushed around.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin

Who Sang It? The company of Matilda the Musical

Listen on Spotify

“When I Grow Up” from Matilda the Musical

The kids sing about everything they’ll do when they grow up – from eating candy and going to bed late to being brave and strong.

Who Wrote It? Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin

Who Sang It? The company of Matilda the Musical

Listen on Spotify

Broadway Shows for Kids

And if you're looking to see a show in New York City, make sure to read about the Best Broadway Shows for Kids for information on what's playing right now!

Kathryn Willingham
Head of Creative Development at Jean Doumanian Productions

Kathryn Willingham has worked in entertainment for over ten years, and recent credits include: Co-producer of SHRINK currently streaming on Peacock, Associate Producer of the independent film UNA, and Creative Executive on multiple theatrical productions including HANGMEN by Martin McDonagh on Broadway, NASSIM by Nassim Soleimanpour Off-broadway and Associate on productions EVERY BRILLIANT THING by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and THE EFFECT by Lucy Prebble. She was Producer of Todd Almond’s musical travelogue “Wyoming and Parts of Kansas” and Production Coordinator for Karen O and KK Barrett's “Stop the Virgens.”

Twitter


Education: B.A. in English, Literature & Creative Writing from Rhodes College
Knowledge: Theatrical Production

Published

Oct 27, 2024

Share Story

Editorial Note: You support us by clicking links to our retail partners and buying tickets or products. The commissions we earn from our partners allow us to operate this website but do not affect our opinions. You can learn more about our retail partners and how we generate revenue on our disclosures page.