Easy Children’s Songs on Guitar with Chords

Learning to play children’s songs on guitar starts with three open chords: C, F and G, or G, C and D if you want to avoid the tricky F chord. With those you can already play songs like Altijd is Kortjakje ziek (a Dutch children’s song with the same melody as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), Old MacDonald Had a Farm and Vader Jacob (the Dutch version of Frère Jacques). Choose a slow tempo, play a simple down-up rhythm and sing along right away. That way you will be playing your first children’s songs within a few weeks, alone or together with your child.

Summary

• Children’s songs have few chords and recognizable melodies, so they are ideal for beginners.
• With C, G, D, A, Am and a simplified F you can accompany most children’s songs.
• Start with songs of one or two chords and a slow tempo.
• A simple down-up strumming pattern is enough; variation comes later.
• Let children help choose and sing along, practice a few minutes every day and give positive feedback.
• Make it more fun with variations, such as fingerpicking or tapping on the guitar body, or write a children’s song yourself.

Why learn children’s songs on guitar?

Children’s songs are simple in structure and have recognizable melodies. That makes them perfect for anyone just starting out, but experienced players also use them to refine chord changes and rhythm. You quickly build a repertoire and experience success right away, which is good for your confidence.

For children, making music together has even more benefits. It stimulates their hearing, their sense of rhythm and their fine motor skills. Because they learn and sing the lyrics while the guitar is played, they also practice with language. Making music together strengthens the bond between parent and child, leaves room for creativity and is a nice form of quality time. Being able to play or sing a whole song also gives children a feeling of pride.

Whether you are a parent who wants to play with your children or a teacher who wants to inspire students: these cheerful, catchy songs put everyone in a good mood.

The basic chords for children’s songs

A chord consists of at least three notes sounding at the same time. Major chords sound cheerful, minor chords a bit more melancholy. For children’s songs you mainly need major chords. These are the shapes that come up most often (from the low E string to the high E string, x = do not strum, 0 = open string):

• C: x32010
• G: 320003
• D: xx0232
• A: x02220
• Am: x02210
• E: 022100
• G7: 320001
• F (simplified): xx3211

The C chord is a good starting point. Put your ring finger on the third fret of the A string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string and your index finger on the first fret of the B string. Press the strings down firmly, just behind the fret, so every note sounds clean.

The full F chord is a barre shape and hard for beginners. Use the simplified version above first, or play songs in the key of G, so that you only need G, C and D. If you want to learn the full shape later after all, read how to learn to play barre chords.

Chord diagrams show exactly where your fingers should go. By practicing with them regularly you build muscle memory, and after a while you play the shapes without looking. Practice the transitions above all: changing smoothly and in time matters more than playing fast. You will find handy tricks in tips for changing guitar chords faster. Practicing regularly also makes children’s fingers stronger and improves their hand-eye coordination.

Easy children’s songs with chords

Choose songs with few chords, a slow tempo and a melody that everyone knows. The table shows well-known songs in two keys. Pick the key that suits your voice or your child’s best.

Altijd is Kortjakje ziek and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same melody, so with one chord chart you play two songs. Old MacDonald Had a Farm is extra fun because you can make it interactive: let the children imitate the animal sounds while you play. Hickory Dickory Dock and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (Hoofd, schouders, knie en teen) are suitable simple songs too, and so are the Dutch children’s songs In de maneschijn, Op een grote paddenstoel and Zagen, zagen, wiedewiedewagen.

If you are really starting from zero, begin with children’s songs with just two chords. Once you can play three chords, a large repertoire opens up for you with easy songs with three chords. For the Christmas holidays, too, a few chords are enough: these simple Christmas songs for beginners fit nicely with children’s songs.

When choosing, take the child’s age and interests into account. A song with special meaning, such as the theme tune of a favorite TV show or a movie theme, motivates extra.

Simple rhythms and strumming patterns

Besides chords, you need a rhythm. Rhythm is the heartbeat of music and determines the tempo and feel of a song. Start with four downstrokes per measure, with a pick or your thumb. Once that goes well, play down-up-down-up: alternately down and up across the strings.

Keep the rhythm even and stay in time, so the song sounds good and is easy to sing along with. Later you can add variation with accents on certain beats or with syncopation, which makes the rhythm livelier. By practicing with different rhythms, both children and adult beginners develop their sense of timing.

Getting children involved in learning

Children stay motivated when they have a say. Let them choose songs they like and let them think along about which chords and rhythms you use. Games, small rewards and positive encouragement make it extra fun. You will find ideas in playful exercises to teach kids guitar.

Learn new songs together and practice together. By playing and singing together, children feel supported and you share the enjoyable moments. Can your child not read music yet? No problem: this is how you learn children’s songs on guitar without reading music. If your child plays too, also pay attention to the right guitar size for kids, because a guitar that is too big makes the shapes needlessly hard.

Tips for practicing children’s songs on guitar

• Practice often and briefly. A few minutes a day gets you more than one long session a week.
• Play slowly first. That way you get used to the chord changes; only raise the tempo when it goes smoothly.
• Set small goals. For example: this week, the chorus without stopping. Celebrate every small success.
• Be patient and positive. Mistakes are part of it. Emphasize progress and encourage your child to keep going.
• Use online resources. Tutorials and videos with step-by-step explanations help with learning specific songs.
• Play together. Playing with other musicians or with a backing track helps you stay in time.

Does your child not feel like it for a while? Then read how to motivate kids to practice guitar.

Fun variations on children’s songs

Once you can play the basic version of a song, make it more personal with variations. Change the strumming pattern, play a gentle version with fingerpicking or try a percussive technique by tapping rhythmically on the guitar body. That makes the song more fun for you and for your audience.

Children’s songs in guitar lessons

Teachers like to use children’s songs in their lessons. The songs are short and simple, so students quickly have successful experiences. That is good for their motivation and confidence. Because the songs are cheerful and recognizable, a playful atmosphere arises in which students dare to experiment.

Making your own children’s songs on guitar

Writing a children’s song yourself is a great way to develop your creativity. Start with a simple theme that appeals to children, such as animals, the seasons or an adventure. Use the basic chords you already know and build on them. You will find inspiration for the structure in tips for writing songs with four chords.

Use rhyme and repetition in your lyrics: children love repetition because it lets them sing along easily and remember the words quickly. Do not be afraid of humor and imagination; they are exactly what makes a song attractive to young listeners. For older children and adults there are also funny songs to learn on guitar.

Having fun with children’s songs on guitar

In the end it is all about fun. Children’s songs bring joy and laughter, for you and for anyone listening. By playing regularly, children improve their skills and their confidence grows. If you want to know when your child can start on their own, read from what age you can learn to play guitar.

Also try other styles and genres, so your musical horizon widens. Is the guitar still too big for your child? Then the ukulele is a nice stepping stone; read how to teach your child to play ukulele. With the right guidance and encouragement, playing children’s songs together can be the start of a lifelong love of music.

Frequently asked questions about children’s songs on guitar

What are children’s songs?

Children’s songs are songs written especially for children. They usually have simple melodies and lyrics that fit children’s world of experience.

Why are children’s songs good for learning guitar?

Children’s songs are simple in structure, use few chords and have a recognizable melody. That makes them suitable for beginners and a fun way to involve children in music.

Which chords do you need for children’s songs on guitar?

With C, G, D, A, Am and F you can accompany most children’s songs. Sometimes E comes up. The full F chord is a barre shape; as a beginner, use the simplified F (xx3211) or choose a key without F. How to change chords in time with a song and adjust the pitch with a capo is covered in playing songs with chords.

Are there special chords for children’s songs?

No. Children’s songs use the same chords as other songs, just often fewer and simpler ones.

What are easy children’s songs to play on guitar?

Easy children’s songs include Vader Jacob (Frère Jacques), Altijd is Kortjakje ziek, In de maneschijn, Op een grote paddenstoel, Zagen, zagen, wiedewiedewagen and Hoofd, schouders, knie en teen (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes). Most of these are Dutch children’s songs. English-language songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm and Row, Row, Row Your Boat are suitable too.

Is it hard to learn to play children’s songs on guitar?

Not necessarily. Many children’s songs use simple chords and melodies, which makes them easy to learn even for beginners.

Where do you find chords and teaching material for children’s songs?

You can find chords for children’s songs in guitar books, online guitar lessons, on websites with chord charts and on YouTube channels with tutorials. There are also special teaching methods and books that focus on children’s songs for beginners.

Can you play children’s songs without the F chord?

Yes. Play songs like Altijd is Kortjakje ziek and Old MacDonald in the key of G, and you only need G, C and D. That sounds just as good and is much easier for beginners.

Do you have to sing while playing children’s songs on guitar?

You do not have to, but singing along makes it much more fun for children and helps you stay in time. Practice the chord changes first until they come automatically, and only then sing along, perhaps humming at first.