Looking for the best kids’ worship songs for your family playlist? Maybe you want the best praise and worship music for the church children’s ministry. Fortunately, today there are tons of praise and worship songs written for children. Many Christian artists have even updated classic hymns and traditional bible songs specifically for kids. Even more, new songs are released every year to encourage kids in their worship experiences. So, let’s check out 30 of the best kids’ worship songs.
Benefits of Kids Worship
Why should we encourage children to worship through song?
1. Biblical Truths
Enjoying worship songs with your children is a great way to introduce them to biblical truths found in God’s Word.
2. Family Connection
Additionally, sharing worship through music creates bonds of connection and memories for life.
3. Memorize the Bible
Even more, if you want your child (or you) to memorize Scripture, music is the way to do so. Truly, one of the best ways to memorize anything is through music. It’s easy to memorize the Bible when you have the right tools. And, music is one of them. For more support, check out my Simple 6-Step Scripture Memory Plan.
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30 Best Kids Worship Songs
Friend, I still remember the lyrics to Christian songs from when my kids were little ones. To be straight with you, I had a BLAST researching and putting this list together last night. I’m excited to share my faves.
The following 30 kids’ worship songs are some of the best around. I’ve broken this list of praise songs into three general sections.
- Classic Children’s Praise & Worship Songs
- Kids Bible Memory Songs
- Children’s Worship Songs of Life Application
Many are linked to videos with animations, dance moves, hand motions, and other visuals to support the unique learning style of all God’s children.
1. He’s Got the Whole World
To this day, my older kids still sing Veggie Tales He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. This entire Veggie Tales series of kids worship songs is a fun extension of the popular show. Your little ones will be excited to listen to these in the car and at home.
2. This Little Light
Again, some of the best upbeat worship songs are made by the creators of Veggie Tales. However, the favorite version in our home is definitely the more contemporary version created by Orange. Nothing beats Orange Curriculum’s This Little Light. Dance moves and everything.
3. Jesus Loves Me
Who can forget this classic Sunday School Song? Jesus Loves Me is often the first praise song children learn. Whether it’s sung by Mom, Dad, Grandma, or the servant leaders in the nursery, Jesus Loves Me is a classic. This version of Jesus Loves Me includes hand motions and sign language to offer a multisensory experience.
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4. Zacchaeus
I’ve been serving in Children’s Ministry for close to 17 years. And every single year, without a doubt, we’ll learn about this wee little man. You know who I’m talking about. His name is Zacchaeus.
As we read in Luke Chapter 19, one day Jesus visited the town of Jericho where Zacchaeus, a tax collector, lived. And so the Zacchaeus song goes,
Zacchaeus was a wee little man,
And a wee little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior passed that way, He looked up in the tree.
‘Zacchaeus, you come down, for we’re going to your house today.’
This classic song shares the truth that Jesus loves us all.
5. Father Abraham
Father Abraham is another great song often incorporated in children’s Bible lessons. Father Abraham is a pioneer song of multisensory worship experiences for kids. Younger children love it. This version by CJ and Friends includes the motions. And if you’re familiar with this song, you know those motions include:
Right arm,
Left foot,
Nod your head,
Trun around and jump up and down!
6. The B-I-B-L-E
If you’ve ever sent your child to Vacation Bible School, there’s no doubt that they’ve got this popular song memorized. Further, they’ve likely memorized the hand motions and dance moves to go with it. There are many versions of this song available. However, one of my son’s favorites is this version of The B-I-B-L-E by Listener Kids. It’s an upbeat fun version that’s catchy and engaging. We highly recommend adding it to your playlist.
7. The Very Best Friend
Every Christian parent wants their child to know the love of Christ. When children encounter Jesus through upbeat, inspiring music, we meet them where they are just as Jesus does in Scripture. In “The Very Best Friend“, kids learn that the King of Kings, Jesus Himself, is their very best friend.
Jesus is the very best friend.
The Very Best Friend is a wonderful way to encourage that truth.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Jesus, Matthew 19:14
8. I Love You, Lord
“I Love You, Lord” is a sweet praise and worship song for younger children. It’s slower and is a gentle introduction to the intimacy of worship. This version is animated and can be played during church ministry preschool or early elementary worship.
9. O, Happy Day
Oh, Happy Day is a traditional hymn originally written in 1755. The hymn was popularized in the modern world of Gospel music in 1968 by Edwin Hawkins. And to this day, it’s one of the most popular worship songs for kids and adults alike. This version of Oh Happy Day is perfect to share with your children. It includes lyrics and is upbeat to capture your kids’ hearts.
10. Ask, Seek, Knock
Some of the best Christian worship songs are those that help us memorize the Word of God. And Seeds Family Worship produces incredible kids’ songs to help with Scripture Memory. The song lyrics of each of their songs are based word-for-word on a Bible Verse.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
The best part? The songs are so well done that the whole family will enjoy them. “Ask, Seek, and Knock” is a favorite in our house. Based on the words of Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 7:7-8.
11. Never Be Shaken
Seeds Family Worship’s Never Be Shaken is based on Psalm 62:1-2.
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
This version of Psalm 61 is the perfect Bible verse to help kids learn that their lives are dependent on the firm foundation of Jesus. Further, this video version of Never Be Shaken shares the lyrics and hand motions to help kids learn in a multisensory way.
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12. Light of the World
Light of the World is another Seeds Family Worship song to help you and your kids memorize John 8:12. It’s an awesome song of worship for kids and adults alike. Again, this video version shows all the dance moves and hand motions to support long-term memory.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13. Refuge and Strength
In Psalm 46:1, the Bible tells us,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
This version of Psalm 46 by Seeds Family Worship, is the perfect message to instill in little hearts.
14. Greatest Commandment Song
Seeds Family Worship is so good that I had to share one more song. I chose the Greatest Commandment song because I truly believe we can best love our kids when we remind them of this truth spoken by Jesus Himself.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31
Historically, the church has done a poor job spreading the message of caring for and loving oneself. Jesus tells us clearly that we cannot love others without loving ourselves. Children need to know that they matter and can care for their own needs. When we are compassionate and show grace to ourselves, we’re able to love others well.
15. Be Still and Know
Jay Stocker’s Hidden in My Heart worship songs are incredible. The entire album is full of beautiful songs and lullabies that are written entirely of Bible Verses. During 2020, I sang these songs over my boy at bedtime. In those quiet moments of pain and loneliness, I needed those reminders of the presence of God. This is one of the best Scripture-based song collections I’ve ever heard.
16. I Can Do
This lullaby is just one of Jay Stocker’s many beautiful songs.
Philippians 4:13 is beautifully written in song form. It’s a great song for young kids who are learning to memorize Scripture as this verse is traditionally taught in Children’s church.
17. A New Creation by the Rizers
Anything by the Rizers is AWESOME! Our first introduction to the Rizers was back in 2017 when we stumbled upon 2 Corinthians 5:17. In our homeschool, we’re all about memorizing Scripture.
My kids and I have always created our own rhythms and dance moves to memorize chunks of Scripture. However, that day I didn’t have the energy. So, I did a quick search on Youtube and found this gem.The Rizers create upbeat praise and worship music based on Scripture.
The best part, each song has its own animated video. These capture both your child’s visual attention and auditory memory to ensure the Word of God is locked in for years to come.
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18. Proverbs 3:5 by the Rizers
Once again, the Rizers do it again! In Proverbs 3:5-6, the Rizers teach kids to trust in the Lord with all their hearts. The animation is fantastic, engaging, and fun. Create a kids worship song playlist and include songs by the Rizers.
19. Books of the Bible
My kids’ memorized the books of the Bible when we first started homeschooling 13 years ago when in Classical Conversations. If you can get your hands on a copy of Classical Conversation’s Books of the Bible Song, do it. Check out your local homeschool store.
NewSpring Worship’s Books of the Bible song is another great option. It’s catchy, to the point, and an effective way to learn the books of the Bible.
20. Jumpstart Bible Song
Jumpstart has a great selection of kids’ worship music. More importantly, one of the most practical ones is their Books of the Bible Song.
As I said, music is one of the best ways to memorize anything. Jumpstart’s Books of the Bible song is a great tool in your child’s growing Bible Study toolbelt.
21. North Point Books of the Bible
I like North Point’s Books of the Bible song because it’s upbeat with a rap-type vibe. It’s likely to be considered “cool enough” for older kids and even young adults. Additionally, they add small fun facts about the different parts of the Bible to add additional context.
For example, “And next we have the books of wisdom… the minor prophets.”
In the end, this version of the Books of the Bible is a great option for the next generation of the church.
22. Look at Our God
North Point’s Casey Darnell does a great job sharing a love for God in this upbeat song about the Heavenly Father. It’s catchy and easy to sing along to.
This version of Look at our God on Youtube is great because it teaches kids the dance moves and lyrics. I’d recommend this for children’s ministry and even youth group.
23. Sing by Ellie Holcomb
Ellie Holcomb has a tender heart for leading others in the worship of Jesus. In this kids worship song, she writes about God’s role as creator in a breathtaking way. Ellie shares the love of God with beautiful lyrics that tell children that God loves all.
“God sang the first song…
Every heart was given a song it was meant to sing.”
Ellie Holcomb, Sing
24. Waymaker
Nigerian singer, Sinach is the original writer of the beautiful song, Waymaker. It quickly became one of the most popular contemporary Christian songs of 2020. It’s been sung in corporate worship in churches throughout the world. Further, in the US, Christian artists have covered Waymaker. They include Michael W. Smith and the group, Leeland.
In the end, this song is about God as our Waymaker. He’s the One who makes all things possible. And it’s loved by adults and kids alike. Here’s one children’s version of Waymaker (with lyrics) to share with your own child or a group of kids in this week’s Sunday School Class.
25. Phenomena (Da Da)
Hillsong Kids has produced some wonderful worship songs for kids, and Phenomena is a popular one in youth groups.
26. Never Fail
Even though it’s dark now, I know morning comes, Cause your the God of the Promise, and what You say is done…
You’re my refuge and strength, the breaker of chains, My Yes and Amen, I put my trust in Your name.
Hillsong Young and Free is Hillsong’s youth ministry worship team and clearly, their target audience is preteens and teens. With our teens bombarded by unhealthy messages daily, it’s important to offer them their own unique space in worship. This song, Never Fail, is a powerful worship song that declares the truth of God for teens in such a time as this.
27. Alive
Alive by Hillsong Young and Free is full of Biblical truth about how Jesus is alive in His people. This praise and worship song is great for older kids who need to cling to the truth of Jesus alive in them.
You are my freedom. We lift you higher, lift you higher. Your love, your love never ending, We lift you higher. You are alive in us. Nothing can take your place. You’re all we need. Your love has set us free.
Again, Alive is an upbeat worship song of praise. It’s a great alternative to some of the musical options available these days.
28. Be Alright by Evan Craft
While Be Alright is not technically a kids worship song, it’s a favorite of one 11-year-old boy represented in the AHFAS community. And this song is on our family worship playlist, so it’s a kids worship song for sure.
Everything will be alright. The whole world’s in His hands.
Be Alright is incredible and is sung in both English and Spanish throughout. It’s a beautiful worship song for older kids, teens, and adults.
29. God, I Look You
A dear friend has been singing this song to her children since they were babies. God, I Look to You is a beautiful worship song for the entire family.
Hand motions to the chorus of God, I Look to You are as follows.
I will love you Lord my…
- Strength (hold up arm muscles)
- Shield (hold arm in front like a shield)
- Rock (fist hand like a rock)
- Love you God (hands over heart)
30. Every Breath I Take
Every Breath I Take is a classic worship song! No list of kids worship songs would be complete without it. The best part is this version from Victory Church in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa includes lyrics and dance moves for your kids.
Recap: 27 Best Kids Worship Songs
Praise and worship music has come a long way since the days of King David. From traditional hymns to Gospel music to the influence of the Jesus People Movement in the 1970s, there’s no shortage of worship music.
Because God designed each one of us uniquely, we all have different tastes in music. That includes worship music. Fortunately, not only is there now a plethora of praise and worship music available for the adult congregation but also for children.
In the end, there’s no better way to introduce a little child to the love of Christ, than through music. And you don’t need a screen or device to experience worship music. You can teach your kids to sing praises to God with just your voices. And yet, by God’s grace, there are many incredible worship songs available to use:
- at home
- in the car
- at church in children’s ministry
I hope this list of kids worship songs inspire you to sing, dance, and worship with your children. So, friend, did I miss any of your children’s favorite praise and worship songs? Would love to know!
About the Author:
Lindsay is a trauma-informed educator with a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Her mission is to support moms to equip neurodivergent kids (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety) to thrive as exactly who they’ve been created to be. Wait until you hear the story that led to it all…
