Music is so important to kids. My daughter goes crazy over all kinds.  She loves everything from Bach to Barney, and she dances to them with equal enthusiasm.  I, on the other hand need a break from the bingo song every once in a while.

On my quest to find music we will both enjoy, I have been forced to listen to some painfully cutesy songs.  That is why I am hoping to save you a small bit of your sanity by recommending the best children's music album I have ever heard.

You and your child will both enjoy For the Kids by various artists.  It is a compilation album with some of the best musicians of today.  Some of the songs are redone muppets tunes, and some are original. 

The playlist:

1. Mahna Mahna – Cake
2. La La La La Lemon – Barenaked Ladies
3. The Rainbow Connection – Sarah McLachlan
4. I've Got to be Clean – Guster
5. Wonderwheel – Dan Zanes
6. Have a Little Fun – Glen Phillips
7. The Hoppity Song – Five for Fighting
8. My Flying Saucer – Billy Bragg and Wilco
9. It's All Right to Cry – Darius Rucker
10. Sing – Ivy
11. Bright Eyes – Remy Zero
12. Willie the King – Dan Wilson
13. Snow Day – Bleu
14. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Chantal/ Raine Maida
15. Good Night Children Everywhere – Sixpence None the Richer
16. Bend Down the Branches – Tom Waits

This album is great because it is some of the greatest bands from the 90's and no singing songs I grew up with.  Also, the proceeds go to help restore music education in the U.S. Public schools.  Even the For the Kids booklet is a fold-out coloring book.