Fun, Easy, and Great for Young Musicians

If you’ve got a kid in school in South Korea, chances are you’ve already heard the sweet (and sometimes squeaky!) sounds of a plastic recorder echoing through your home. The recorder is one of the most popular beginner woodwind instruments in elementary schools all over the world.

It’s lightweight, easy to learn, and affordable, which makes it a go-to for music teachers and a right of passage for young learners.

But finding the right songs? That’s where this list comes in.

Below, you’ll find 39+ songs grouped by theme or artist—everything from classic nursery rhymes to modern favorites like Ocean Eyes and High Hopes. So grab your brand new recorder, warm up those fingers, and get ready to play your heart out!

Fun and Easy Recorder Songs for Kids

🎤 Contemporary Favorites

High Hopes

Artist: Panic! At The Disco
This empowering anthem is a huge hit with older kids. With a simplified melody for beginners, it’s perfect for inspiring confidence.

Ocean Eyes

Artist: Billie Eilish
Yes, you can play Billie Eilish on a recorder! The dreamy melody of Ocean Eyes translates surprisingly well into a beginner-friendly version.

Delivery Time

Artist: Parry Gripp
Silly, catchy, and super fun to play—Delivery Time is perfect for kids who want something playful and rhythmic.

🍼 Nursery Rhymes

Mary Had a Little Lamb

A must-play for beginners. Simple, repetitive notes make this a great starter song for recorder students.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

A classic melody with recognizable structure—perfect for reinforcing basic finger positions.

London Bridge Is Falling Down

Fun and familiar, this nursery rhyme helps young players learn steady rhythm and breath control.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

With a fun “E-I-E-I-O” section, this one’s a hit for group play or class performances.

Lou the Mulberry Bush

This variation of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush keeps the energy up and the fingers moving.

More Recorder Songs for Kids

🎄 Christmas Carols

Jingle Bells

A holiday favorite and a great way to keep practicing fun during the winter season.

Silent Night

Soft, slow, and beautiful—this carol helps with breath control and musical expression.

🎵 Easy Recorder Songs

Hot Cross Buns

Probably the most common first song on the recorder. Only three notes. Super easy. Super rewarding.

Old Man Row

(aka Row, Row, Row Your Boat)—a classic round song that’s perfect for playing in pairs.

Polly Wolly Doodle

This American folk song is upbeat and playful. Great for building finger agility.

Hush Little Baby

A lullaby that’s simple and sweet, and teaches long tones and smooth transitions.

Related Article!

📚 Recorder Books & Resources

Recorder Express

A popular recorder method book used in schools across Korea and worldwide. Includes tons of beginner songs like Au Clair de la Lune and Skip to My Lou.

Recorder Karate

A motivational program where students earn “karate belts” for each new song they master. Includes Hot Cross Buns, Gently Sleep, and Merrily We Roll Along.

🧑‍🎓 For Young Students

Baa Baa Black Sheep Ode

A melodic match to Twinkle Twinkle and ABC Song, this tune is easy and great for memory.

This Old Man

Catchy and repetitive, which is just what young students need.

Do-Re-Mi

A perfect way to introduce solfege and note reading through singing and playing.

Little Lamb

Short, sweet, and perfect for tiny hands just starting out.

Recorder Songs for Kids Continued

🍋 Lemon-Themed Fun (a silly mix!)

Lemons on the Tree (variation of Skip to My Lou)

You can swap in fun lemon lyrics to keep kids laughing while they learn the melody.

Polly Wolly Doodle (again!)

It’s so fun, it deserves a second mention in this fruity-silly section.

Doodle Hush (a mash-up!)

Take Hush Little Baby and Polly Wolly Doodle—mash them together and create a playful, giggly duet. Great for more advanced kids to experiment with.

🌊 Songs with Ocean Vibes

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

A folk favorite with a lovely rise and fall to the melody.

Ocean + Hot Cross Buns + Polly Put the Kettle On (Medley!)

String together a short medley of three simple songs for kids who want a little variety without overwhelming difficulty.

🧒 Best Songs for Beginners

Itsy Bitsy Spider

A fun challenge to keep tempo while using both high and low notes.

Are You Sleeping?

Also known as Frère Jacques, this is ideal for duet playing and understanding timing.

ABC Song

Simple and melodic, and kids already know the lyrics!

If You’re Happy and You Know It

Great for group play, clapping, and coordinating note changes with physical actions.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Another action song that turns into a recorder-playing adventure.

🎼 High Quality Sheet Music Picks

If you’re ready to go beyond just YouTube tutorials and want proper sheet music for your little one, here are a few must-haves:

• Recorder Songbook for Beginners by Hal Leonard
• Recorder Fun! Series
• Big Book of Recorder Songs
• Easy Recorder Tunes for Kids
  All of these include high-quality sheet music for songs like Hot Cross Buns, Twinkle Twinkle, and even simplified pop hits.

🎉 Songs That Are Just a Lot of Fun

The Ants Go Marching

Marching rhythm and fun call-and-response style make this a classroom hit.

She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain

Upbeat and energetic with wide intervals for early finger coordination.

Five Little Monkeys

Fun to sing, fun to play, and guaranteed to make kids giggle.

🎼 Traditional Folk

Oh! Susanna

An upbeat American classic perfect for early recorder players. Its bouncy melody and simple note progression make it a fun go-to for kids just learning their scales.

Loch Lomond

A beautiful Scottish folk tune with a haunting melody. Great for slightly more advanced beginners who want to try expressive, slower playing.

🎶 Children’s Songs

Three Blind Mice

This song helps develop coordination and finger speed thanks to its quick, repetitive notes. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser with young students.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Silly, story-driven, and packed with playful rhythm—this one is a hit for classrooms or family sing-alongs.

🎵 Classical

Ode to Joy – Beethoven

A must-learn melody for recorder beginners. Recognizable and uplifting, it’s great for building confidence while learning breath control.

🎄 Holiday Carols

O Christmas Tree

This gentle tune is great for practicing slow, steady playing. It’s a favorite for winter performances or cozy home practice sessions.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

A joyful and lively carol that’s easy to learn and makes for a festive group performance piece.

🧑‍🎓 American Spirituals & Hymns

Nearer, My God, to Thee

A soulful, reflective melody that offers kids a chance to explore emotional expression through simple phrasing.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

This powerful hymn is perfect for practicing strong breath control and transitioning between low and high notes.

🎶 Great Way to Learn Music!

Introducing the recorder is more than just making squeaky sounds—it’s one of the best stepping stones into the world of music for kids. These 39+ songs cover all the bases: melody, rhythm, expression, and most importantly—fun. Whether your kid is just learning “B-A-G” or ready for mini concerts, this list will keep them engaged and excited to play.

👋 Final Notes from a Dad in Korea

As a French Canadian dad raising a son in Korea, I’ve seen firsthand how important music education is here. The recorder isn’t just a plastic toy—it’s an introduction to timing, discipline, creativity, and performance. And when it’s paired with the right songs? That’s when the magic happens.

So whether you’re helping your kid practice for school or just want to jam out to London Bridge together in the living room, these tunes will get you there.

Now grab your recorder… and let the music begin! 🎵