Car Playlist Rituals That Make Kids' Music Stick At Home

We hear some version of this from parents all the time. A kid comes home from class and asks for one song in the car. Then they ask for it again the next day, and the day after that. A month later the whole family knows every word.

A lot of the music kids love sticks because of the car. It's where families hear the same songs over and over. Here are a few easy ways to set that up on purpose, and where to start if you want songs the grown-ups will like too.

Pick music you'll enjoy too

If you're going to hear a song fifty times, it helps if you like it. The songs by Michael & the Rockness Monsters are written for kids, and they're made for parents to enjoy too. Our songs have been played on SiriusXM Kids Place Live.

A lot of kids' music today takes on real, big topics, and it's well made. If you build a playlist around our band, you'll probably come across other great music you haven't heard yet.

Where to start with our albums

If you're new to the band, start with our newer albums, Big Thoughts for Little Humans and A Good Place to Start. Put a few songs from each on your car playlist and see what your kids ask for.

Then go back to the earlier albums, Funny Faces and Monster's Ball. That's where you'll find funny songs about squirrels and pickles.

You can find all of it on the band's website.

🚗 Car rituals that make songs stick

Kids like knowing what comes next. A few small habits in the car can turn a playlist into something they look forward to.

• Same song for the ride home. Pick one song that always plays when you leave school, class, or grandma's house. Kids start to ask for it before you've started the car.
• Each kid picks one. Let each child choose one song per ride. It cuts down on arguing, and it gives quieter kids a turn.
• Sing the next line. Once a song is familiar, pause the singing before a line and let your child fill it in.
• Save one for long trips. Have a song that only plays when you get on the highway or start a long drive. It gives kids something to wait for.
• Keep the playlist short. Ten or twelve songs played often will stick better than a hundred played once.

That fill-in-the-line game is worth doing. ZERO TO THREE suggests asking older toddlers to fill in the blanks when you sing, as a way to build logical thinking and reasoning. The same article says babies as young as 8 months have recognized a familiar piece of music after two weeks away from it.

When they want the same song again

At some point your child will ask for one song ten times in a row. That's normal for little kids, and it's how they learn the words. If you need a break, try a trade: one more time, then a grown-up pick. Most kids will take that deal, especially if they know their song comes back on the next ride.

Bring the car songs into the house

Once your kids know a few songs from the car, use them at home. Put one on when the afternoon gets restless and have a short dance break. Our post on indoor dance breaks for toddlers has more ideas for that.

You can also use the slower songs to wind down. We wrote about putting together a calming bedtime playlist for toddlers if you want a separate list for the end of the day. And if your kids want to play along, a few pots and a wooden spoon work fine. Here's why banging on pots is good for rhythm and motor skills.

Hear our music live

Kids can also hear live music with us in our weekly Grown Up & Me classes for ages 0 to 4, and at kids' birthday parties, where the dance party uses Michael & the Rockness Monsters songs. If a song from a party or class becomes a favorite, add it to the car playlist.

👉 Want to hear the music in person? Book a free trial Grown Up & Me class at a location near you, or call us at 732-205-1971.

See you in the circle,
The Rockness Crew
Rockness Music