Summer brings a special kind of energy—long sunny days, outdoor adventures, and the joyful buzz of kids at play.
It’s a time for movement, exploration, and making memories—and what better way to celebrate it than with music that captures all the sunshine and silliness of the season? I'm excited to share 7 summer-themed songs that have quickly become favorites among music educators, music therapists, and families alike.
Whether you're planning a music lesson, leading a group activity at camp, or simply adding some rhythm to a sunny afternoon, these songs are ready to bring the sounds of summer to life!
Our Summer Songs For Kids album features 7 of our most popular songs to get your summer off to a fun-filled start! Perfect for classroom playlists, sunny car rides, backyard sing-alongs, and for supporting creativity, emotional expression, and connection during your classes or music therapy sessions.
Summer Songs For Kids
1. Watermelon
I love when a song has many possibilities for variations and implementation in our classroom or therapy sessions. “Watermelon, Watermelon” is one of those flexible songs with multiple educational and therapeutic purposes.
From body percussion to keeping a steady beat, from learning basic math skills to learning about this juicy, sticky fruit, there are so many themes and skills to explore with this song.
My own students from ages 3 all the way up to first grade (and beyond!) have loved this song!
2. Firefly, Firefly
"Firefly, Firefly" is one of my favorite kinds of songs to share with young children—gentle, imaginative, and full of opportunity for creative play and musical exploration.
This song takes kids on a quiet, magical nighttime walk through the forest—a soundscape that engages their ears, imaginations, and bodies. We darken the room, turn on a small flashlight or twinkling LED lights (our “firefly”), and begin to travel together through the forest, listening carefully to the sounds we hear along the way.
Each animal we meet is brought to life through voice, instruments, or props:
A cricket chirps using our voices—chirp chirp chirp!
An owl goes “whoo whoo”, which kids love to mimic.
A mouse scurries with fingers tapping lightly on a drum.
A fox runs with soft patting on our laps.
A frog croaks with the guiro—perfect for adding texture.
The call-and-response format gives space for kids to listen, anticipate, and participate. It also opens up space for improvisation—a key moment in the song where children can choose or invent their own forest sounds and creatures.
3. Lemonade, Lemonade
"Lemonade, Lemonade" is a joyful, hands-on movement song that walks kids through the simple, sensory-rich process of making lemonade—with a musical twist! I wrote this song to bring rhythm, sequencing, and imaginative play into a familiar real-life activity.
It’s a playful blend of music, pretend play, and motor coordination, perfect for early childhood settings.
What Kids Learn While They Play:
Sequencing (first we pour, then we chop, then we stir…)
Motor skills (acting out each step: pouring, chopping, squeezing, stirring)
Onomatopoeia and sound association (clunk! dump! squeeze!)
Social-emotional skills like turn-taking and playful expression (especially during the silly “sour face” taste-test!)
4. Boom Boom
"Boom Boom" is one of my go-to songs when I want to channel kids' energy in a fun, structured, and rhythmic way. It’s a high-impact, low-prep activity that encourages movement, listening, impulse control, and dramatic expression—all set to a driving beat.
The inspiration for this song came from the excitement and anticipation of fireworks—that tension of waiting, building, and then… BOOM! That feeling is naturally rhythmic and expressive, which makes it perfect for music and movement exploration.
Implementation idea:
Begin by having the kids crouch down low—they’re “little fireworks waiting to go off.” We tap quietly: pop, pop, pop... And then on cue, with a tambourine or a glow stick flash: BOOM BOOM! They JUMP and wave their streamers or move their bodies however they like.
5. Red Light, Green Light
"Red Light, Green Light" takes a classic childhood game and turns it into a musical movement song designed to teach rhythm, body control, and dynamic listening. It’s simple, repetitive, and super effective at helping kids move and stop with purpose!
Implementation idea:
Begin by explaining that we’re playing a musical stop-and-go game. Show them the three colors:
🟢 Green = GO! (We move!)
🔴 Red = STOP! (Freeze like a statue!)
🟡 Yellow = Slow down and get ready to stop…
Then sing:
🎶 “When the light turns green we dance…”
And the kids dance until...
🎶 “Until the light turns RED!” — and everyone FREEZES.
Go through other movements like wiggle, jump, tiptoe, or even spin—you can substitute any action word into the same musical pattern. It becomes a fantastic tool for creative movement and classroom management all in one.
6. Mr. Sun
"Mr. Sun" is one of those classic songs that so many of us grew up singing. The melody stays sweet and familiar, but the tempo and tone are more relaxed, making it perfect for lap bounces, scarf play, or circle time singalongs.
I love using this song to highlight the joy of sunshine and warmth, especially on days when the real sun isn’t out. Whether you’re using it for bonding, sensory play, or just to brighten the room, this version of “Mr. Sun” is about connection, comfort, and musical joy.
7. Sparkly Stars
"Sparkly Stars" is a quiet, relaxation song, written with the intention of helping children wind down, self-regulate, and transition gently into rest. Whether it’s the end of a busy day or just time for a quiet moment, this song invites calm through gentle imagery, soft melodies, and sensory-rich visuals.
I love pairing this song with fairy lights, scarves, or a sensory bin filled with soft textures and shimmering pieces. The "sparkly stars" might be twinkling lights hidden in fabric, or simply imagined above. The moon can be a flashlight aimed at the ceiling, a soft orb light, or even something children make with their hands.
This song is as much about imagination and connection as it is about rest.
If you're like many teachers, you love having a go-to summer playlist to bring seasonal joy and structure into your classroom routines. Whether you need calming songs to help students transition and self-regulate, or engaging movement songs to get the wiggles out in a fun, meaningful way, my Summer Songs for Kids album is a great fit. The songs are designed to support early childhood development while celebrating the magic of summer—think fireflies, lemonade, and sunshine-filled imagination.
🎶 You can find the full collection below or by searching “Stephanie Leavell” on any music streaming platform.
