Looking for Christmas kids lyrics? Here is the quick answer. The easiest songs for young children are Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Up on the Housetop. For a nativity play, pick Away in a Manger or Once in Royal David’s City. Below you will find 30 Christmas songs for children, with the best age for each one, simple actions and where to find the words.
One thing to know first. Many old carols are free to print in the UK, but popular modern songs such as Rudolph and Frosty are still protected by copyright. So this page does not copy song words. For the old carols, we point you to trusted sources, because the words can change between editions. For modern songs, we link you to official videos. The rules are explained in plain English in the copyright section.
Best Christmas Songs for Kids: Quick Picks
| What you need | Best song | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Easiest song for toddlers | Jingle Bells | Short, bouncy and easy to shake a bell to |
| Nativity play | Away in a Manger | Gentle and simple, with an easy rocking action |
| Action song | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Antlers and a glowing nose are easy to act out |
| Christmas party | We Wish You a Merry Christmas | Repeats a lot, so everyone can join in |
| School choir (ages 7+) | Silent Night | Slow and calm, good for learning to sing together |
| Counting and memory | The Twelve Days of Christmas | Each verse adds one more gift to remember |
| Learning a new language | Feliz Navidad | Spanish and English in one catchy song |
Jump to what you need:
- Songs for toddlers and preschoolers
- Christmas action songs
- Traditional carols
- Modern favourites
- School assembly and nativity songs
- Songs in English and Spanish
- Best song for each age
- Which lyrics can you print in the UK?
- Making singing more fun
- FAQs
Christmas Songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 0 to 5)
Young children learn best from short songs with repeated words and simple moves. Singing is also one of the easiest brain development activities for kids, and it needs no equipment. Even babies enjoy being sung to, so it is a lovely way to play with your newborn at Christmas. These four songs are easy to learn, and all four are old enough to be public domain (check your edition before printing).
Jingle Bells
James Lord Pierpont published this sleigh-ride song in 1857. Its bouncy rhythm and big chorus suit ages 2 to 8. Give each child a bell and let them shake on the beat. It works well at home, in nursery and at parties.
Up on the Housetop
Benjamin Hanby wrote this short Santa song in 1864. It tells of Santa landing on the roof and filling stockings, which toddlers love to act out. Best for ages 2 to 6.
Away in a Manger
This quiet lullaby about baby Jesus first appeared in the 1880s. In the UK it is often sung to the tune called Cradle Song. It suits ages 3 to 7 and is a favourite for nursery nativity plays. Because different books print slightly different words, check the exact version you plan to use.
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
A sweet 19th-century song in which a child whispers a Christmas wish to Santa. It is slow enough for beginners. Ask children to whisper their own wishes between verses.
Easy Christmas Action Songs for Kids
Actions help children remember the words and feel part of the group. Shy children often join in with the moves before they join in with the singing. Here are simple Christmas songs with actions that work for preschoolers and primary children.
| Song | Easy action idea | Props |
|---|---|---|
| Jingle Bells | Shake wrists and sway side to side | Bells |
| Up on the Housetop | Tap fingers above your head like a roof, then slide down the chimney | None |
| Away in a Manger | Rock your arms like cradling a baby | Soft toy or doll |
| We Wish You a Merry Christmas | Wave and clap on the chorus | None |
| Deck the Halls | Pretend to hang decorations, then clap | Tinsel |
| The Twelve Days of Christmas | Hold up fingers for each new number | None |
| Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Hands on head as antlers, tap your nose | Antler headband |
| Frosty the Snowman | Stand tall, then slowly “melt” to the floor | Scarf or hat |
| Santa Claus Is Coming to Town | Tiptoe on the spot, hand over eyes to “look out” | Santa hat |
| Jingle Bell Rock | Dance freely, shake a bell on the beat | Bells, shakers |
The actions above are our own suggestions, so feel free to change them. To keep energy high, pause the music halfway and play one of these games like musical chairs, then go back to singing.
Traditional Christmas Carols for Kids
Carols are sung in homes, churches and schools across the UK. Most carols below are old enough to be public domain, but modern translations and arrangements can still be protected. For trusted words and history, try Hymnary.org or the carol pages on BBC CBeebies.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
A cheerful old English carol, traditionally linked to the West Country. Carol singers once asked for figgy pudding as a reward. The repeating chorus makes it perfect for ages 3 to 11 and for big groups.
Silent Night
Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber created it in Austria in 1818, in German. English words came later, so always check which translation you use. It is slow and calm, which makes it best for ages 5 to 11 and school choirs.
Deck the Halls
The tune is an old Welsh melody called Nos Galan. Thomas Oliphant added the English words in 1862. Sing it while children make their own tree decorations from a simple salt dough recipe. Best for ages 5 to 11.
The First Nowell
A traditional English carol that tells the story of the shepherds and the star. It has several verses, so it suits ages 6 and up in nativity plays and assemblies.
Good King Wenceslas
John Mason Neale wrote the words in 1853 about a kind king who helps a poor man on St Stephen’s Day (26 December). Use it to talk about kindness. It is a story carol, so older children enjoy singing it in parts.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
This song was in print by 1780. Each verse adds a new gift and repeats the old ones, which makes it a brilliant memory game. Split the class into groups and give each group one gift to sing. Ages 5 to 11. If you use a modern arrangement, check who owns it.
Once in Royal David’s City
Cecil Frances Alexander wrote this in 1848 as a hymn for children, and Henry Gauntlett wrote the tune in 1849. In the UK it is well known as the carol that traditionally opens the King’s College Nine Lessons and Carols service. It suits ages 6 and up for nativity plays and church services.
The Holly and the Ivy
A traditional English carol that uses holly and ivy to tell the Christmas story. Children can collect real leaves or make paper ones to hold while singing. Ages 5 and up.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley wrote the original words in 1739, and the tune we know today is adapted from Mendelssohn. It is loud and joyful, so it works well as a big finish for ages 7 and up.
More Traditional Carols to Try
| Carol | Good to know | Best age |
|---|---|---|
| O Come, All Ye Faithful | Latin original, English translation from the 1800s. Check which translation you use. | 6+ |
| Ding Dong! Merrily on High | Old tune with 20th-century English words. Check the edition. | 5+ |
| While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks | Words by Nahum Tate around 1700. Sung to many tunes. | 7+ |
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | Words by Phillips Brooks, 1868. Check the arrangement. | 6+ |
| I Saw Three Ships | Traditional English carol about ships sailing in | 4+ |
| Joy to the World | Words by Isaac Watts, 1719 | 5+ |
| God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen | Traditional English carol | 8+ |
How Old Are These Songs?
Some of the songs children sing every December are more than 200 years old. The chart shows how many years have passed since each song was first written or published, counted to 2026.
Age of popular Christmas songs (years since first published, to 2026)
Green = old enough to be public domain (check your edition). Red = still protected by copyright. Dates are first writing or publication years.
Popular Modern Christmas Songs for Kids
These songs are still protected by copyright, so we have not copied their words. Children can enjoy them through official videos on the artist’s own channel or on the BBC. We have added the story behind each song and simple actions instead.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph began in 1939 as a character in a story booklet by Robert L. May for the shop Montgomery Ward. Johnny Marks turned it into a song in 1949, and Gene Autry made it a hit. It is a good way to talk about being different and being kind. Best for ages 3 to 9. The song is protected until the end of 2055 in the UK.
Frosty the Snowman
Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson wrote this song in 1950. It tells of a snowman who comes to life when a magic hat is put on his head. Ask children to make up their own snowman adventure. Best for ages 3 to 8.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie wrote it in 1934. It is a playful reminder to be good before Santa arrives. Ages 3 to 9.
More Modern Favourites
| Song | Good to know | Best age |
|---|---|---|
| Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree | Written by Johnny Marks in 1958. A party dance song. | 4+ |
| Jingle Bell Rock | A 1950s party song. Easy to dance and shake bells to. | 4+ |
| All I Want for Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey’s 1994 pop hit. Fine for family listening. | 6+ |
| Last Christmas | Wham!, 1984. It was the UK Christmas number one in both 2023 and 2024, according to the BBC. | 8+ |
Christmas Songs for School Assembly and Nativity Plays
Teachers usually choose songs by age, length and whether the setting is religious or not. This table gives a simple starting point for the three stages you will plan for most often.
| Stage | Ages | Good choices | What to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EYFS (nursery and Reception) | 3 to 5 | Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger, Up on the Housetop | Short songs, repeated words, easy actions |
| KS1 | 5 to 7 | We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The First Nowell, Little Donkey | Story songs that small groups can perform |
| KS2 | 7 to 11 | Silent Night, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing | Several verses, choir parts and percussion |
Best Songs for a Nativity Play
Away in a Manger, Once in Royal David’s City, Silent Night and The First Nowell are the usual picks. Add Little Donkey for a friendly story song. It was written by Eric Boswell in 1959 and is still in copyright, so buy or license the music rather than copying it.
Best Songs for a Non-Religious Assembly
Mix secular songs such as Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls and Frosty the Snowman. For a funny finish, try When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney, which is also still protected by copyright. Finish with a short, easy song so every child leaves on a high.
Christmas Songs for Kids in English and Spanish
Singing in another language is a gentle way to introduce new words. Feliz Navidad, written by José Feliciano in 1970, mixes Spanish and English and has simple, catchy words. Teach children that Feliz Navidad means “Merry Christmas”. It is still protected, so link to the official video instead of copying the words.
For something old and free to use, look at Silent Night. It was written in German as Stille Nacht, so older children can compare the two versions.
Which Christmas Song Is Best for Each Age?
These are suggestions, not strict rules. Every child learns at a different pace.
| Age | Recommended songs | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | Short nursery-style songs, Away in a Manger | Repetition and gentle movement |
| 3 to 5 years | Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Rudolph | Simple words and actions |
| 6 to 8 years | We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, The First Nowell | Storytelling and group singing |
| 9 to 12 years | Silent Night, Deck the Halls, The Twelve Days of Christmas | Several verses, harmony and choir work |
Which Christmas Kids Lyrics Can You Print in the UK?
This is the part most lyrics pages skip. This section is general information, not legal advice.
What does public domain mean?
A song is public domain when copyright has run out. In the UK, copyright in words and music normally lasts for 70 years after the creator’s death. Words and music are separate works, so each can have its own end date. If different people wrote the words and the music together, protection lasts until 70 years after the last of them has died.
Copyright status of the 30 songs in this guide
20 songs (67%): old enough to be public domain. Check your edition.
10 songs (33%): still in copyright. Do not copy the words.
Source: our own count of the songs listed in this article, checked 7 November 2026.
Can parents print Christmas lyrics at home?
Singing at home is fine. Printing a sheet for your own family is generally low risk, especially for old carols. Posting lyrics online or handing out copies to a wider group is different, and needs the words to be public domain or properly licensed.
Can schools print Christmas song lyrics?
Schools often need a licence to copy printed music and words, and to perform music in front of parents. PRS for Music has education licences for using the music it represents, and the Copyright Licensing Agency covers copying schemes. What your school is covered for depends on its licences, so ask your school office or check with both organisations before photocopying.
Why can an old carol still be protected?
The carol itself may be old, but a modern translation, a new musical arrangement, extra verses or a newly typeset edition can all carry their own copyright. GOV.UK says recent editions of music can have their own protection for 25 years. So never assume a whole page is free to copy just because the carol is old.
How to check a Christmas song
- Find who wrote the words and who wrote the music.
- Check when each person died. If it was more than 70 years ago, the original is likely free.
- Check who made the English translation, if there is one.
- Check whether you are using a modern arrangement or edition.
- Use a trusted source such as a library, hymnal or Hymnary.org, not a lyrics website.
How to Make Christmas Singing More Fun for Children
- Use simple instruments. Bells, tambourines, shakers and homemade rice shakers all work. If you are buying gifts, our guide to the best educational toys for kids is a good place to start.
- Let children choose. Ask each child to pick one song, then make a short playlist of favourites.
- Dress up. Matching family Christmas pyjamas make a home sing-along feel special.
- Plan for bad weather. A carol session fits well into a list of indoor activities for kids.
- Include everyone. Use picture cards and gestures, and ask The Makaton Charity for official signs if you want to add signing. Offer quieter options, such as clapping, for children who find loud singing hard.
Singing also works well as part of a bigger Christmas party, between games and food.
All 30 Christmas Songs at a Glance
| Song | Type | Best age | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jingle Bells | Action / secular | 2 to 8 | Public domain |
| Away in a Manger | Nativity lullaby | 3 to 7 | Public domain (check edition) |
| We Wish You a Merry Christmas | Traditional | 3 to 11 | Public domain (check arrangement) |
| Silent Night | Carol | 5 to 11 | Public domain (check translation) |
| Deck the Halls | Traditional | 5 to 11 | Public domain |
| The First Nowell | Carol | 6+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| O Come, All Ye Faithful | Carol | 6+ | Public domain (check translation) |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing | Carol | 7+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| Good King Wenceslas | Story carol | 7+ | Public domain |
| The Holly and the Ivy | Traditional | 5+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| The Twelve Days of Christmas | Counting song | 5 to 11 | Public domain (check arrangement) |
| Once in Royal David’s City | Nativity carol | 6+ | Public domain |
| Up on the Housetop | Action / Santa | 2 to 6 | Public domain |
| Jolly Old Saint Nicholas | Santa song | 3 to 7 | Public domain (check edition) |
| Ding Dong! Merrily on High | Carol | 5+ | Check edition |
| While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks | Nativity carol | 7+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | Nativity carol | 6+ | Public domain (check arrangement) |
| I Saw Three Ships | Traditional | 4+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| Joy to the World | Carol | 5+ | Public domain |
| God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen | Traditional | 8+ | Public domain (check edition) |
| Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Modern / action | 3 to 9 | In copyright |
| Frosty the Snowman | Modern / story | 3 to 8 | In copyright |
| Santa Claus Is Coming to Town | Modern / Santa | 3 to 9 | In copyright |
| Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree | Party / dance | 4+ | In copyright |
| Jingle Bell Rock | Party / dance | 4+ | In copyright |
| Feliz Navidad | Bilingual | 4 to 11 | In copyright |
| All I Want for Christmas Is You | Pop | 6+ | In copyright |
| Last Christmas | Pop | 8+ | In copyright |
| Little Donkey | Nativity / story | 4 to 8 | In copyright |
| When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney | Novelty | 3 to 8 | In copyright |
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Kids Lyrics
What is the easiest Christmas song for toddlers to learn?
Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas are the easiest. Both are short and repeat a lot, and children can shake a bell or clap along.
Which Christmas carols are public domain in the UK?
Many old carols are, including Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Deck the Halls and Once in Royal David’s City. But translations, arrangements and new editions can still be protected, so check the exact version.
Can schools print Christmas lyrics without a licence?
Public domain words can be printed freely. For anything else, schools usually need an appropriate licence. Ask your school office what it holds, or contact the CLA and PRS for Music.
What are the best Christmas songs for a nativity play?
Away in a Manger, Once in Royal David’s City, Silent Night and The First Nowell are the classics. Little Donkey is a popular story song, but check the licence before copying it.
Which Christmas songs have actions for preschoolers?
Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Away in a Manger and Rudolph all have easy actions. See the action table above for ideas.
Are the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer lyrics copyrighted?
Yes. Johnny Marks wrote the song in 1949, and it is protected in the UK until the end of 2055. You can sing it at home, but do not copy the words onto a website or hand-out without permission.
Final Thoughts
Pick songs that match your children’s age, mix old carols with modern favourites, and add simple actions so everyone can join in. Check the copyright of any words you plan to print, and use official videos for the songs you cannot copy. A few well-chosen songs will do more for your Christmas than a long playlist.
Related: Great ideas to choose the best Christmas gifts for Mum