Bond with your tweens and teens when you watch these must-see films

Everyone can relate to a good coming-of-age movie. Parents watch them and get nostalgic for the ups and downs of their youth. Tweens and teens look to them for guidance, advice, or at the very least, some sign that they’re not alone in what they’re going through. Better still, they’re great for helping grown-ups and their kids bond over laughs, adolescent cringe, and real-life lessons. Whether you’re looking for a film that might help you broach a difficult topic with your child or simply want to share some of the films that guided you into adulthood, here are 14 coming-of-age movies you’ll definitely want to bring up during the next family movie night.

Turning Red

This Academy Award-nominated animated film about an adolescent girl who suddenly finds herself being magically transformed into a giant red panda has quickly become a family favorite, and it’s a great one to watch, especially with tweens. Tackling the (taboo for some) topic of menstruation head-on through the lens of an Asian American family is refreshing in terms of subject matter and representation. It’s currently streaming on DisneyPlus.

Stand By Me

Rob Reiner’s film based on a Stephen King novella is a major coming-of-age classic. It follows a group of best friends on their journey to find the body of a missing child, and the challenges they face along the way that alter their lives forever. It touches on difficult topics like bullying, grief, and trauma. Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell, watch it now on Paramount+.

Crooklyn

A semi-autobiographical dramedy co-written by Spike Lee and his siblings Joie and Cinqué, Crooklyn is a heartfelt and hilarious look at black girlhood through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl living in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood one summer in the 1970s. Starring Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, and Zelda Harris, watch it now on Peacock.

Real Women Have Curves

Real Women Have Curves is a coming of age movie for teens
HBO Films

 

Starring Superstore’s America Ferrera, this film about a young Mexican-American woman caught between her desire to move away for college and her sense of obligation to stay home and help provide for her family brings the first-generation, coming-of-age experience to life. Watch it now on HBO Max.

The Edge of Seventeen

When high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) finds out her brother is dating her best friend, her life begins to spin out. But when a new friend comes alone, she realizes not all is lost—a great lesson for every teen struggling with unwelcome changes. Also starring Blake Jenner, Woody Harrelson, and Haley Lu Richardson, it’s now streaming on Hulu Premium.

CODA

While the circumstances and details change, many teens understand what it’s like to be caught between your family’s needs and your own desires. In this Academy Award-winning film, 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is stuck between helping her deaf family with their fishing business and pursuing her newfound love of singing. Also starring Troy Kotsur (who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Marlee Maitlin, and Daniel Durant, you can stream it with your family on Apple TV.

Related: 15 Movies Your Tweens Will Watch without Rolling Their Eyes

A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle in Time is a coming of age movie for kids
Disney

 

Although we remember this as more of a sci-fi story, A Wrinkle In Time is also the coming-of-age story of Meg Murray, who travels through space and time in search of her father while making friends and growing into herself along the way. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this lovely adaptation stars Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Chris Pine, and is available to watch on Disney+.

But I’m A Cheerleader

This black comedy from 1999 stars a young Natasha Lyonne as Megan, a high school cheerleader who gets sent to a conversion camp by her homophobic parents. It’s not as depressing as it sounds—instead, the film highlights why these camps don’t work and helps LGBTQ+ youth feel seen (plus RuPaul is one of the counselors!) Also starring Clea DuVall, it’s now streaming on Paramount Plus and Showtime.

Morris from America

When Morris, a young American teen with dreams of becoming a hip-hop star, moves to Germany with his widowed father, he’s quickly faced with the reality that he’s essentially a fish out of water. It’s a comedy that delicately but still hilariously touches on everything from romance and drug experimentation to racism, grief, and living as an ex-pat. Starring Craig Robinson and Markees Christmas, stream it on HBO Max.

Little Women

Little Women
Sony Pictures

 

Louisa May Alcott’s tale about the trials and tribulations of four sisters growing up during and after the Civil War remains a timeless treasure. Despite being a period piece, the themes of family, love, rejection, loss, and forgiveness continue to make fans hundreds of years later. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Florence Pugh, stream it with the kids on Starz.

Mean Girls

This hilarious coming-of-age movie is a must-watch for any femme tween or teen dealing with the inevitable mean girl at their own school. When Cady finds herself in a new school dividing her time between the it-crowd and her “nerdier” best friends, she quickly finds out popularity comes with a price. Stream on Paramount+ or Pluto TV.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

The quintessential movie about skipping school with your best friends and trying to have the best time of your life was one many of us grew up with and can now share with our kiddos. There are art museums, parades, fancy cars, mistakes, regrets, and epic chases throughout this John Hughes classic. Watch it now on Showtime or Paramount+.

Related: The Best Family Movies to Stream for Your Next Movie Night

The Half of It

The Half if It
Netflix

 

Loosely based on Cyrano de Bergerac, this story about a quiet Chinese-American girl—who helps a local jock write the love letters she wishes she were brave enough to write for a girl named Aster—is chock full of heart. It’s a wonderful film that can be especially helpful for young tweens and teens starting to navigate the world of unrequited love. Watch now on Netflix.

Almost Famous

Directed by Cameron Crowe, this film follows a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist named William (Patrick Fugit) who lands a dream assignment profiling a rising rock band Stillwater for Rolling Stone Magazine. While his mother reluctantly allows him to go on tour with them, it’s William who eventually recognizes he’s got a lot more growing up to do. A solid coming-of-age movie with a stellar ’70s rock soundtrack, this one is best left for teens. Catch it on Paramount+.

From foreign language classes to programs with Juilliard and out-of-state trips, the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park is thinking outside the textbook with their curriculum.

Education is evolving—and we’re not just talking about the “new math” that likely stumped your household a few years back. School curriculums are expanding past typical subjects, and incorporating a cross-curricular learning approach that fuels children with skills and values to help them thrive in a rapidly changing world.

At the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park (BISC-LP), a private international school for students ages 15 months to 11 years old, students are cultivating this fresh approach. With its immersive experiences in languages, the arts, sciences, and civic responsibility, BISC-LP is helping shape students into well-rounded individuals.

Keep reading to discover seven of BISC-LP’s cross-curricular learning programs that are preparing kids for a bright future!

1. Early Introduction to Modern Foreign Languages


To help children thrive in an increasingly interconnected world, BISC-LP immerses students into modern foreign languages throughout their entire academic career at the school. Beginning as young as 15 months old in BISC-LP’s pre-nursery program, and continuing through primary school at age 11, students are taught English, French, and Spanish.

2. Specialty Lessons from Global Institutions


In collaboration with The Juilliard School, UNICEF, and MIT, BISC-LP helps students discover their passions with special lessons in music, dance, drama, STEAM, and environmental awareness. In the past, children have been able to sharpen their performing arts skills with visiting artists from Juilliard, tackle hands-on activities with global peers and MIT professors, and work on sustainability projects, from building raised planters to creating rooftop gardens.

3. Innovative STEAM Exploration


Through challenging, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math) courses, children are empowered to be ambitious, confident, and inspired. Students also have access to BISC-LP’s STEAM corridor that touts state-of-the-art materials, like green screens for filmmaking and robotics equipment.

4. Experiential Trips & Camps


Field trips are taken to a whole new level at BISC-LP. Children of all ages can either participate in local urban adventures to cultural and historical destinations, hone their wilderness skills at a sleep-away camp in Michigan, or hit the ski slopes in Wisconsin. Middle-school students have the unique opportunity to join an international sporting event, known as Global Games, with peers from across the Americas who are within the Nord Anglia Education network. Think of it like a junior high-only Olympics!

5. Inspirational & Motivating Clubs


BISC-LP is all about igniting students’ passions—especially within an age-appropriate environment that infuses a balanced level of competition and encouragement. Students can sign up for a variety of clubs, like taekwondo, chess, musical, rock band, mathletes, dance team, basketball, soccer, and cricket. Trust us when we say, there’s even more for your child to choose from.

6. Access to a Global Hub

Known as Global Campus, this exclusive online learning platform allows children to connect with peers of the same age from BISC-LP’s family of schools all around the world. Students receive access to one-of-a-kind learning activities and resources from global experts to further develop their problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

7. Civic Responsibility Outside of the Classroom


At BISC-LP, children are guided to be well-rounded individuals both inside and outside the school. As a result, the school community takes part in local charity events and holds various collection drives throughout the year to donate to organizations, such as the Cradles to Crayons, Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, and Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, to name a few. Children also work with UNICEF on worldwide relief efforts and raise money to fund educational opportunities for children in need.

Book a tour or attend the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park’s upcoming Open House, happening November 5 & January 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t the only film on the 2023 Illumination roster. The animation studio’s next action-packed comedy is about a family of ducks, coming this holiday season.

If you’ve watched Despicable Me on loop, gotten swept up in the Minion madness alongside your tots, jammed along to the Sing soundtrack (in the car…alone), and semi-successfully dodged, what felt like, never-ending requests for a puppy after The Secret Life of Pets, then you’re an Illumination household.

And if you thought this powerhouse was going to lay low after the smashing success of their recent The Super Mario Bros. Movie, think again. The trailer for their new family feature film, Migration, just dropped, and let’s just say, we’re in for a full flight of roaring laughs, wholesome feels and stunning animation that’ll fill our hearts with wanderlust this holiday season.

Parents, get excited. We’re seeing another blockbuster hit on the horizon.

Everything We Know About the Migration Plot So Far

Our first impression is relief and joy that we’re still getting what we’ve come to expect and love from Illumination: jokes that moms and dads will enjoy, relatable characters (that may even make us question our own behavior), and an entertaining storyline that’s packed with valuable lessons—which stray from the signature patriarchal plot of a damsel in distress we grew up seeing as kids ourselves.

Migration follows the Mallards, a family of ducks who are eager to take flight and explore new horizons. There’s only thing in the way of mom Pam, teenage son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen from seeing the whole wide world: their overprotective father Mack.

For Mack, nothing could be better and safer than his flock paddling around their New England pond forever (helicopter parent vibes, am I right?). But once Pam catches wind that a local duck family traveled to far-flung places and had an epic journey, FOMO sets in. She convinces Mack into going on a family vacation they’ll never forget, like moms do so effortlessly.

From their New England home to New York City and then down south to tropical Jamaica, the Mallards experience all that comes with your typical family roadtrip, including mapped-out plans quickly going sideways, stepping out of your comfort zone, good ol’ family bonding, meeting new friends, and everything else in between.

Migration is Voiced by Actors You Know & Adore

Think you recognized anyone in the trailer?

The film is led by Oscar® and Emmy nominee Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Eternals) as the Mallards’ worry-wort dad Mack and Emmy nominee Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect franchises) as Pam, the bold and sharp matriarch.

Iconic Danny DeVito, the voice behind legendary animated characters that have defined most millennials’ childhoods, co-stars as Mack’s grumpy, unimpressed Uncle Dan. Don’t we all have one of those?

There’s no guesswork needed to pinpoint Awkwafina, whose recognizably deep, raspy octave is behind the scrappy leader of a New York City pigeon gang. The remaining cast includes the talent of Keegan-Michael Key who plays a homesick Jamaican parrot locked up in a Manhattan restaurant, and David Mitchell (Peep Show) as the yogic leader of a mysterious duck farm.

The Impressive Team Behind Migration

The White Lotus fans—and those of us who wanted to join a rock band after School of Rock—will be pleased to discover that Migration’s screenplay is written by renowned screenwriter Mike White. If that wasn’t enough to win us over, the film is also directed by Benjamin Renner who recently received an Oscar nomination for directing the critically-acclaimed French animated features Ernest & Celestine and The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.

Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri rounds out the team as the movie’s producer, well-known for his creative role in the studio’s smash hits.

Mark your calendars now for a movie-going family date night when Migration hits theaters on December 22, 2023. Until then, we’ll join our kids in constantly chanting Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches.

A new Muppets series is coming to Disney+, and the streaming platform just released the first trailer (featuring some big names in the music industry)

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve gotten a really good new piece of Muppets content. Despite Disney releasing new Muppets shows and specials pretty regularly, most of their offerings from the last few years have been kind of meh (looking at you, Muppets Halloween special that was just a thinly veiled ad for Disney Parks). But it looks like that streak is finally coming to an end—Disney just released a trailer for its upcoming series, The Muppets Mayhem, and it looks like it’s going to be great.

The show centers on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, a rock band you probably remember from the show that features Animal and other colorful felt characters. The premise is that Mayhem was a ’70s rock band that was universally loved—especially within the music industry—but never actually made an album. Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry star as the record label producers who are orchestrating the band’s big comeback, and Kevin Smith plays a documentarian who’s making a movie about Mayhem. Of course, all the Muppets are also in attendance.

What really stands out, though, is how many famous names Disney has roped in to participate. We see a few of them in the trailer—like Lil Nas X and Tommy Lee—but the cameo list for this movie also includes Zedd, Ziggy Marley, Cheech and Chong, Ryan Seacrest, deadmau5, Kesha, Paula Abdul, Morgan Freeman, Steve Aoki, and Chris Stapleton. Not so surprising when you consider how universally beloved the Muppets are. I mean, if Disney gave me the opportunity to appear in a Muppet movie, there’s no chance I’d say no.

The Muppets Mayhem begins streaming on Disney+ on May 10. Until then, all the old-school Muppets content is available on the streamer, and most of it (not that Halloween special) is well worth a rewatch.

The new year is the perfect time to dust off old traditions, or to begin new ones with your family. For us, it’s a nostalgic Friday night “family night” piled on the couch streaming a movie or series with your siblings, parents and a giant bowl of freshly popped popcorn.

In today’s world you could be finished with the popcorn before the family even decides what to stream. Decision fatigue is real.

That’s why we’re here with a round up of must-see content the whole family will love, all found only on Disney+. We’re sharing our favorite movies and series from action and adventure, to humorous and heartfelt.

Now, if only we could reach out to hug the brilliant creative minds who make these stories just as entertaining and enjoyable for us, as they do for our kiddos.

Looking for a way to keep this tradition alive after January’s round up? We’ve got just the idea – The Family Night Disney+ Bowl.

Here’s how it works: Ask everyone in your family to write down a few of their favorite titles on Disney+ and drop it in the bowl. Each “family night”, a different family member takes turns picking out a title from the bowl and cozies up for a viewing party.

Start your family night traditions with amazing content, found only on Disney+.

5 Picks To Kick-Off Your Family Night Viewing Tradition:

Shorts to Warm Your Heart & Make You Laugh:

“I Am Groot”

Your family might recognize this lovable little tree, Groot, from his first appearance in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Now he’s back in a collection of five Original shorts introducing a cast of new and unusual characters, all bound to entertain the entire family.

Voiced by Vin Diesel, your family will be charmed by Groot’s childlike expressions, as well as his mischievous flare!

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Series Premieres Starring Your Favorite Cast of Characters:

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (Premiering January 4, 2023)

Two words: action & drama. If your older ones have been anxiously awaiting the return of this mega-hit from the Star Wars animated universe, they’ll be thrilled to hear that the wait is officially over. With 16 total episodes in Season 2, released weekly, you’ve got the family night viewing hour covered for a while.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

“Zootopia+”

It’s about time we got invited back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis of Zootopia. In this short-form series, we get the chance to dive deeper into the colorful lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing residents, including Fru Fru, the fashion-forward arctic shrew.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Most Loved Movies Only on Disney+:

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules”

We’re always on board to see more of this family-favorite character. This new animated movie is based on the second book in Jeff Kinney’s wildly popular book series, focusing on the rocky dynamic of our protagonist, middle schooler Greg Heffley, and his spikey-haired high school brother Rodrick. Teaser – Rodrick is lazy and undisciplined, and spends way too much time practicing with his rock band, Löded Diper. While he loves to torment Greg, we get to see his soft side and deep affection for his younger brother reveal itself throughout the movie.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

“The Biggest Little Farm, The Return”

The Chester family and all of the lovable characters on their farm (human and animal) are back on our screens after enormous praise and adoration of their 2018 award-winning documentary. We get to be virtual visitors again on their property at Apricot Lane Farms as they navigate the challenging and beautiful symbiotic relationship between land and animals. New characters of note – Emma the pig who welcomes her newest litter and an adorable lamb named Moe who befriends the family.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Sign up today for a front row seat to all of the best stories, all in one place.

Happy Streaming!

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Nickelodeon recently announced the premiere of Ryan’s Mystery Playdate’s fourth season—and like just about everything else, it’s going virtual!

The hit show launches its fourth season, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate: Command Central, on Mon., May 3 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT. With 10 guest-filled episodes, this season moves the IRL interactions into a virtual world.

photo courtesy of Nickelodeon

Instead of in-person playdates, Ryan and his parents will host their guests remotely in the same way you’ve worked and met up with friends over the past year—using teleconferencing tech. This season’s guest lineup includes WWE Superstars Ember Moon and Kurt Angle, rock band OK Go, professional soccer player Christie Pearce Rampone, PGA golfer Harold Varner III and other notable celebs.

Like past seasons, Command Center includes plenty of mystery box puzzles, games, activities and imaginative challenges. The premiere episode of the season, Ryan’s Wild Safari Playdate/Ryan’s Goal Scoring Playdate will include animal adventures, a wildlife guide and a soccer-packed playdate with Christie Pearce Rampone.

Watch new episodes Monday through Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon. Your kiddo can also catch Ryan’s Mystery Playdate on Nick Jr., Tues. through Fri. at 3:30 p.m. ET/PT.

—Erica Loop

 

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The Wiggles are celebrating a major milestone. With 30 years of magical music behind them, the band is looking towards the future with a new “Greatest Hits” album, featuring the awesomely inclusive song “We’re All Fruit Salad.”

Fans of the kiddo version of the fab four can get moving to the 40-track album. Available right now, the “Greatest Hits” compilation features songs spanning the crib-rock band’s three decades of music-making.

The 30-year anniversary compilation includes faves such as “Hot Potato,” “Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga Big Red Car,” “Do the Propeller!,” Rock-A-Bye Your Bear,” “Fruit Salad” and so much more!

Along with the OG (that is “Original Guys”), the “Greatest Hits” album also includes a diverse cast of guests, such as James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Lou Diamond Phillips, Robert Rakete, Taylor Symone Jackson and Victor Valdes. Not only do the guests perform with the “Guys” on the album, but they also appear in an all-new Wiggles video for the track “We’re All Fruit Salad.”

Lucky fans down under can check out the band in a new tour. The Wiggles have already pre-sold 41,000 tickets in New Zealand as part of their Australian tour. Even though the band hasn’t announced U.S. dates, according to a press release, “As soon as it’s safe, the Wiggles plan to greet their legions of fans across North America in person.”

While you wait for the Wiggles to come to this side of the globe on tour, watch their new music video for “We’re All Fruit Salad” here and download the album here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: The Wiggles

 

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Your summer reading list just got that much longer! Amazon recently announced its best book picks for 2019—so far.

So how does Amazon pick the best of the best? The online giant’s editorial team pages through the year’s newest picks, selecting their faves. The Best Books of the Year So Far list features the Top 20 books published between January and June 2019.

photo: Daria Shevtsova via Pexels

Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director, Amazon Books, said in a press statement, “We’ve read so many great books this year—a heart-wrenching memoir of loss, an intoxicating novel of a ’70s rock band, a psychological thriller worthy of Agatha Christie comparisons and so much more.” Gelman also announced Amazon’s number one pick, saying, ”

But one book stood out for us, Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls. It has so many elements that make reading fun – the sparkle of youth, indiscretions, sassy characters, and freedom in a city that doesn’t sleep—perfect summer reading in our book.”

The other top choices include: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides; Once More We Saw Stars: A Memoir by Jayson Greene; Mrs. Everything: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner; The Night Tiger: A Novel by Yangsze Choo; Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane; The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After by Julie Yip-Williams; Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl and Cari Mora: A Novel by Thomas Harris.

Along with the top picks for adults, Amazon also rated The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart as the best book of the year, so far, for kids!

—Erica Loop

 

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Did you know that music can help babies with their cognitive and sensory development? It’s also a great way for them to learn language. And beyond all of that, music is a super fun way for parents and babies to bond. Whether you’re looking for music for sleepy time or for having fun movin’ and groovin’, we’ve compiled 10 of the best albums for you and your baby.

Caspar Babypants
Caspar Babypants is high-quality, fun and fresh music for babies and kids of all ages. The former lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America, Chris Ballew, is Caspar and serenades us with clever and hilarious songs with titles such as “My Flea Has Dogs” and “Butterfly Driving a Truck.” There is a folksy vibe to his albums that will hit the spot when you’re in the mood for some tunes with a sunny disposition.

Various albums available at amazon.com in different formats and prices.

Beat Bugs (soundtrack)
Beat Bugs is a Netflix original show for kids that follows five funny and cute bugs on their adventures. The songs for this show are all by The Beatles and are performed by various current-day artists such as Sia, P!nk and The Shins.  If you like The Beatles, you and your baby will love these fresh retakes on the classics.

Songs from season 1, 2 and a best of from both seasons are available on iTunes. Each season is $14.99; the best of soundtrack is $9.99.

Sandra Boynton’s Frog Trouble
Is country music your thing? If so, and you want to get your baby started early, check out Frog Trouble. Sandra Boynton is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer and best-selling children’s author (Moo, Baa, La, La La is one you might have read with your little one) who has written 12 original songs sung by country greats such as Dwight Yoakam, Fountains of Wayne, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisely and Alison Krauss. If country isn’t your thing, check out her album Hog Wild (CD available at target.com, $11.39) which has a more jazzy feel to it and musicians such as Kristen Bell, Five For Fighting, and Stanley Tucci.

CD available at barnesandnoble.com, $12.62.

Rockabye Baby
A very clever rock label got the idea to transform parents’ favorite music into lullabies for babies. Basically, they take adult music and make it baby-friendly and baby music and make it adult-friendly. It’s a win-win for all! They have lots of albums to choose from, such as Lullaby Renditions of The Beastie Boys (their newest), as well as albums with songs from Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, the musical Hamilton, The Doors, Beyonce, Iron Maiden, Adele and more. Bedtime just got a whole lot more enjoyable!

Albums available in various formats via rockabyebabymusic.com, from $11.99 each.

Jack Johnson and Friends: Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George
If you’re looking for music that falls in the middle of lullaby and rock music, you’ve landed on the perfect album with this one. Jack Johnson joins Ben Harper, G. Love, Matt Costa, Zach Gill and others to serenade you and your baby with calm and beautiful melodies that will have you relaxing in no time.

Available on iTunes, $9.99.

Lullaby Baby Trio: Disney Classics
This album has a classic lullaby sound; the twist is that all the songs are from popular Disney movies, including “Let It Go” from Frozen and “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. The restful vibes of these songs will have everyone asleep in no time!

Available on iTunes, $9.99.

Sleep Music: 101 Sleep Songs
If you’re looking for something outside the realm of traditional children’s music, this album provides lulling lullabies for babies, kids and adults. Some tracks contain really soothing melodies, while others have music combined with nature sounds such as water lapping on the shore. These songs are reminiscent of something you’d hear in a spa and immediately put you in a relaxing and deep-breathing frame of mind.

Available on iTunes, $9.99.

Bedtime Mozart: Classical Lullabies for Babies
Classical music is always a winner at bedtime, road trips or when you’re just trying to get everyone to wind down for the day. Bedtime Mozart contains a few Mozart pieces (including “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and “Sonata in A”) as well as other lovely classical pieces and children’s songs, from “Ave Maria” and Pachelbel’s “Canon,” to “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” and “Row Row Row Your Boat.” The piano accompaniment on this album is very soothing and restful. And with 34 songs, this will soothe even the most restless babe.

Available on iTunes, $9.99.

For The Kids
It’s such a breath of fresh, parent air to have rock stars such as Cake, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, Guster, Tom Waits and Darius Rucker sing classic children’s songs and put their rockstar twist on them. Songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” get a decidedly modern and vibrant update to make them recognizable but really sophisticated and lyrical in this beautiful compilation album.

Available at iTunes, $9.99.

They Might Be Giants: Here Come the ABCs
The alphabet has never sounded so cool. They Might Be Giants, an alternative rock band formed in the early ’80s, has now created four children’s albums, Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, Here Comes Science and No!  With super catchy lyrics and full-on rock sound, you would never know this band is crooning about kid stuff like the ABCs or 123s.

Available on iTunes, $9.99.

A final musical note:

If variety is the spice of your life, check out Spotify or Amazon Digital Music. They both have curated playlists of children’s music that will mix things up and provide you and your babe with unique and enjoyable tunes as you go through your day.

featured photo: Alireza Attari via Unsplash

Make sure to capture some of your dance party moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.