11 Fun Mexico Songs for Kids (Spanish and English Lyrics)
Raising bilingual children? Teach Spanish through music as a great way for your kids to catch on and absorb the language. This compilation of children’s songs is perfect for babies up to older kids and features the colorful music of Mexico.
Ditch Spanish classes and listen to this list of 10 Fun Mexico Songs for Kids to Learn Spanish!
1. Las Maรฑanitas
If you ask a Mexican what they sing on their birthday, they’ll tell you Las Maรฑanitas! This traditional Mexican song is usually sung to celebrate birthdays and other important days like Mother’s Day and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Spanish Lyrics:
Estas son las maรฑanitas
que cantaba el rey David,
hoy por ser dรญa de tu santo
te las cantamos a ti.
Despierta, mi bien, despierta,
mira que ya amaneciรณ,
ya los pajaritos cantan
y la luna ya se metiรณ.
Que linda estรก la maรฑana
en que vengo a saludarte,
venimos todos con gusto
y placer a felicitarte.
El dรญa en que tรบ naciste
nacieron todas las flores,
en la pila del bautismo
te dieron los mejores olores.
Ya viene amaneciendo,
ya la luz del dรญa nos dio,
levรกntate de maรฑana,
mira que ya amaneciรณ.
English Translation:
These are the little morning songs
that King David used to sing,
today, because it’s your saint’s day,
we sing them to you.
Wake up, my dear, wake up,
look, the day has already begun,
the little birds are singing,
and the moon has already set.
How beautiful is the morning
on which I come to greet you,
we all come with joy
and pleasure to congratulate you.
The day you were born,
all the flowers were born,
in the baptismal font,
you were given the best scents.
It’s already dawn,
the light of day is here,
get up in the morning,
look, the day has already come.
2. La Cucaracha
This silly and fun Spanish children’s song is popular in Mexico. In this Mexican folk song, a cockroach can’t walk because it’s missing a leg! The upbeat rhythm of this song makes it one of the most fun Spanish songs to dance to.
Spanish Lyrics:
La cucaracha, la cucaracha,
ya no puede caminar,
porque le falta, porque le falta
la patita de atrรกs.
ยกAy!
La cucaracha, la cucaracha,
ya no puede caminar,
porque le falta, porque le falta
la patita de atrรกs.
English Translation:
The cockroach, the cockroach,
can’t walk anymore,
because it’s missing, because it’s missing
the little leg at the back.
Oh!
The cockroach, the cockroach,
can’t walk anymore,
because it’s missing, because it’s missing
the little leg at the back.
3. De Colores
Practice all the colors of the rainbow in Spanish with “De Colores.” This educational song teaches children their colors and Spanish at the same time!
Spanish Lyrics:
De colores, de colores
se visten los campos en la primavera,
de colores, de colores
son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.
De colores, de colores
es el arco iris que vemos lucir,
y por eso los grandes amores
son de muchos colores para mรญ.
English Translation:
In colors, in colors,
the fields are dressed in spring,
in colors, in colors,
are the little birds that come from afar.
In colors, in colors,
is the rainbow that we see shine,
and for that reason, great loves
are of many colors for me.
4. El Ratรณn Vaquero by Cri-Cri
Cri Cri is a Mexican fictional character created by Francisco Gabilondo Soler in 1934. This adorable and catchy tune is about an American cowboy mouse stuck in a mousetrap. If you enjoy vintage music, you’ll love this great song for young children.
Spanish Lyrics:
El ratรณn vaquero
que ya no puede mรกs,
por la pradera corre
con su sombrero de ala ancha.
ยกAy! ยกAy! ยกAy!
ยกAy! ยกAy! ยกAy!
El ratรณn vaquero
que ya no puede mรกs,
por la pradera corre
con su sombrero de ala ancha.
El ratรณn vaquero
tiene su pistola
y siempre a su lado
su fiel compaรฑera, la ratona.
ยกAy! ยกAy! ยกAy!
ยกAy! ยกAy! ยกAy!
El ratรณn vaquero
que ya no puede mรกs,
por la pradera corre
con su sombrero de ala ancha.
English Translation:
The cowboy mouse
who can’t go on anymore,
runs through the meadow
with his wide-brimmed hat.
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
The cowboy mouse
who can’t go on anymore,
runs through the meadow
with his wide-brimmed hat.
The cowboy mouse
has his pistol,
and always by his side,
his loyal companion, the little mouse.
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
The cowboy mouse
who can’t go on anymore,
runs through the meadow
with his wide-brimmed hat.
5. Baila Esta Cumbia by Selena
You probably know who the Queen of Tejano music is. This Regional Mexican-Pop fusion by Selena is perfect for dance parties in the living room, and maybe even karaoke with the Spanish lyrics. Put on some YouTube videos of Selena dancing, and get inspired to learn Cumbia too!
Spanish Lyrics:
Baila esta cumbia,
baila esta cumbia,
baila esta cumbia,
baila esta cumbia.
ยกAy, mira quรฉ bonita!
ยกAy, mira quรฉ bonita!
ยกAy, mira quรฉ bonita!
ยกAy, mira quรฉ bonita!
(Repeat)
English Translation:
Dance this cumbia,
dance this cumbia,
dance this cumbia,
dance this cumbia.
Oh, look how beautiful!
Oh, look how beautiful!
Oh, look how beautiful!
Oh, look how beautiful!
(Repeat)
6. A La Rueda de San Miguel
A popular Mexican nursery rhyme typically sung in a circle while playing a game, “A La Rueda de San Miguel,” translates to “To the Circle of Saint Michael.” The game is similar to “Ring Around the Rosie” and “Duck Duck Goose,” in which children dance around in a circle, and one designated player is chosen to be “San Miguel.” Learn about Mexican culture and improve your Spanish by learning this game.
Spanish Lyrics:
A la rueda, rueda,
a la rueda de San Miguel,
todos a dar la vuelta
y a cantar el refrรกn.
A la rueda, rueda,
a la rueda de San Miguel,
todos a dar la vuelta
y a cantar el refrรกn.
Los niรฑos a dar la vuelta,
y las niรฑas a saltar,
y todos a brincar juntos
al ritmo del cantar.
A la rueda, rueda,
a la rueda de San Miguel,
todos a dar la vuelta
y a cantar el refrรกn.
English Translation:
To the wheel, wheel,
to the wheel of San Miguel,
everyone take a turn
and sing the refrain.
To the wheel, wheel,
to the wheel of San Miguel,
everyone take a turn
and sing the refrain.
The boys go around,
and the girls jump,
and everyone jumps together
to the rhythm of the song.
To the wheel, wheel,
to the wheel of San Miguel,
everyone take a turn
and sing the refrain.
7. San Serafรญn del Monte
Another traditional Mexican religious song about a saint, “San Serafin del Monte,” is about Saint Saint Seraphin of Montegranaro, a lay Franciscan brother. It is not as popular as other traditional Mexcian songs, but it is a lovely rhyme if you are interested in folk music with Catholic undertones.
Spanish Lyrics:
San Serafรญn del Monte,
con su sombrero blanco,
con su sombrero blanco,
y su pistola al cinto.
San Serafรญn del Monte,
con su sombrero blanco,
y su pistola al cinto,
y su pistola al cinto.
La culebra y el ratรณn
le cantan la canciรณn,
y el gavilรกn se la lleva
volando por el cielo.
San Serafรญn del Monte,
con su sombrero blanco,
con su sombrero blanco,
y su pistola al cinto.
English Translation:
Saint Seraphim of the Mountain,
with his white hat,
with his white hat,
and his pistol at his belt.
Saint Seraphim of the Mountain,
with his white hat,
and his pistol at his belt,
and his pistol at his belt.
The snake and the mouse
sing him the song,
and the hawk takes him
flying through the sky.
Saint Seraphim of the Mountain,
with his white hat,
with his white hat,
and his pistol at his belt.
8. La Guadalupana
This religious song represents the rich Catholic history of Mexico. It is often sung on December 12th, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico.
Spanish Lyrics:
Yo soy la Guadalupana,
la que vive en el Tepeyac,
y a todos les doy mi bendiciรณn,
y a todos les doy mi bendiciรณn.
Mi vida, mi vida,
mi vida, mi vida,
yo soy la Guadalupana,
la que vive en el Tepeyac.
Soy la estrella del cielo,
soy la flor mรกs bonita,
en el Tepeyac te espero
con mi imagen bendita.
Mi vida, mi vida,
mi vida, mi vida,
yo soy la Guadalupana,
la que vive en el Tepeyac.
English Translation:
I am the Guadalupana,
the one who lives on Tepeyac,
and I give my blessing to everyone,
and I give my blessing to everyone.
My life, my life,
my life, my life,
I am the Guadalupana,
the one who lives on Tepeyac.
I am the star of the sky,
I am the most beautiful flower,
on Tepeyac, I await you
with my blessed image.
My life, my life,
my life, my life,
I am the Guadalupana,
the one who lives on Tepeyac.
9. La Bamba
This traditional Mexican folk song was made famous all over the world by Ritchie Valens. With a deep history rooted in Veracruz, this melody is incredibly fun to dance to, and the kids will have a blast.
Spanish Lyrics:
Para bailar la bamba
para bailar la bamba
se necesita una poca de gracia
una poca de gracia y otra cosita
y arriba y arriba
y arriba y arriba
por ti serรฉ, por ti serรฉ,
por ti serรฉ.
Yo no soy marinero
yo no soy marinero,
soy capitรกn, soy capitรกn,
soy capitรกn.
Para bailar la bamba
para bailar la bamba
se necesita una poca de gracia
una poca de gracia y otra cosita
y arriba y arriba
y arriba y arriba
por ti serรฉ, por ti serรฉ,
por ti serรฉ.
English Translation:
To dance the bamba
to dance the bamba
you need a little grace
a little grace and another thing
and up and up
and up and up
for you I will be, for you I will be,
for you, I will be.
I am not a sailor
I am not a sailor,
I am a captain, I am a captain,
I am a captain.
To dance the bamba
to dance the bamba
you need a little grace
a little grace and another thing
and up and up
and up and up
for you I will be, for you I will be,
for you, I will be.
10. Un Poco Loco (From Coco)
This fun song from the Disney-Pixar film Coco is about family, music, and Mexican traditions. It’s a modern track with catchy rhythms and upbeat energy that brings Mexican culture to life.
Spanish Lyrics:
ยกUn poco loco, un poco loco!
ยฟQuiรฉn te quiere tanto asรญ?
ยกUn poco loco, un poco loco!
ยกAy, mamรก, no sรฉ quรฉ hacer!
Un poco loco, un poco loco,
pero te quiero, sรญ, te quiero,
un poco loco, un poco loco,
me tienes loco, loco, loco.
La vida es un sueรฑo
y todo es tan bello,
en mi corazรณn
siempre hay alegrรญa.
Un poco loco, un poco loco,
pero te quiero, sรญ, te quiero,
un poco loco, un poco loco,
me tienes loco, loco, loco.
English Translation:
A little crazy, a little crazy!
Who loves you this much?
A little crazy, a little crazy!
Oh, mom, I don’t know what to do!
A little crazy, a little crazy,
but I love you, yes, I love you,
a little crazy, a little crazy,
you’ve got me crazy, crazy, crazy.
Life is a dream
and everything is so beautiful,
in my heart
there’s always joy.
A little crazy, a little crazy,
but I love you, yes, I love you,
a little crazy, a little crazy,
you’ve got me crazy, crazy, crazy.
11. La Chona
An energetic regional Mexican song by Los Tucanes de Tijuana. One of the most favorite songs to play at parties and dances, it tells the story of La Chona, a woman who enjoys life and loves to dance.
Spanish Lyrics:
A ella le gusta bailar,
le gusta mover los pies,
la chona, la chona,
la que todos quieren ver.
La chona, la chona,
la que mueve la cadera
es la chona, la chona,
la que todos quieren ver.
English Translation:
She likes to dance,
she likes to move her feet,
the Chona, the Chona,
the one everyone wants to see.
The Chona, the Chona,
the one who moves her hips
is the Chona, the Chona,
the one everyone wants to see.