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Fact: Easter songs are harder to come by than other holiday tunes. There are no Top 40 radio stations that switch to an all-Easter playlist come Lent, and no musical artists head into the studio in October to record full Easter albums hoping for that crossover mega-hit. There aren’t even any Easter novelty tunes — you don’t see anyone doing an “Easter Bunny Mash” at a party.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good Easter songs for kids. It’s that, like a perfectly colored egg, you have to hunt for them. Or, you can let us do the hunting for you. Here, our favorite songs about Easter, bunnies, eggs, and candies. Throw them on while dyeing eggs, doing crafts, hunting for treats, or waiting for the Easter Bunny’s arrival.
“Here Comes Peter Cottontail” by The Kiboomers
In fact, kid band The Kiboomers put out a whole album of Easter songs for preschoolers, which includes this perennial favorite, along with Eastery twists on other popular rhymes like “Going on an Easter Egg Hunt” and “Five Little Bunnies.”
“The Bunny Hop” by Ray Anthony
The ’50s dance craze is so easy to learn, even little kids can do it, and they’ll be bunny-hopping around the room. And if you don’t like Ray Anthony’s Big Band version of the song, there have been many recordings of it over the years, including a mambo version by Duke Ellington.
“Are You a Rabbit?” by Lunch Money
Perfect for a kids’ Easter party, this song asks kids to hop around when they’re rabbits — and freeze when it’s time to stop. There are no references to hiding eggs or other Easter-related things, though, so the holiday connection is subtle.
“Easter Parade” Performed by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland
From the movie also named Easter Parade comes this ode to the flamboyant Easter bonnet. The film’s song score, done by the legendary Irving Berlin, also includes a song titled “Happy Easter.”
“Always on the Run” by Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights
This song wonders how magical beings like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Leprechauns manage to work their magic in such a short time. (Answer: They’re always on the run.) Leeds also has a song called “Good Egg” that isn’t about Easter, but has a ton of fun egg puns.
“I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow/From the movie Hop
After all, candy is what all kids want in their Easter basket. You can go for the original version by Bow Wow Wow, or get the movie Hop, which actually has the tune sung by a rabbit, making it even more thematically appropriate.
“The Funny Little Bunny With the Powder Puff Tail” by Gene Autry
This isn’t country crooner’s most famous seasonal song — that would be either “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Frosty the Snowman” — but it’s still an entertaining tale of the Easter Bunny’s entanglements with the Big, Bad Wolf. (Spoiler alert: the bunny wins!)
“Mister Rabbit” by Caspar Babypants
This song is a catchy little tune about a bunny that doesn’t really hit you over the head with Easter-ness; if you like it, you can add it to the year-round playlist. Parents who were around in the ’90s will recognize Caspar Babypants’ voice — he’s also known as Chris Ballew, aka the singer of band The Presidents of the United States of America.
“Eggs” by Gustafer Yellowgold
This mellow little tune hits upon the magic of leaving a plain, white egg and returning to find it transformed into a springy color, as if by magic. It offers a feeling of joy and rebirth.
“Little Rabbit Foo-Foo” by Sharon, Lois, and Bram
This is an all-time, classic rabbit song by an all-time, classic kids’ band. And maybe, just maybe, your kids will pick up a lesson about good behavior and second chances.
“Do You Hear the Bells?” by Laurie Berkner Featuring Gavin Creel
This counting song teaches kids to tell time by counting the number of church bell chimes, in case you wanted to add a hint of religion to your playlist. Berkner and Creel are neighbors in New York City who realized that they can actually hear the same church.
“Hey Little Bunny” by Sonia De Los Santos
Not about the Easter bunny per se, but this song, about a bunny who likes to hop around and frolic in the sun, is perfect for Eastertime anyway. I mean, who doesn’t like to hop, hop, hop?
“John the Rabbit” by Alina Celeste
Similarly, John the Rabbit doesn’t hide eggs or deliver baskets. Instead, he sneaks into the garden and steals all the vegetables. It’s a great one to listen to in springtime, when you’re thinking about planting again.
“Hot Cross Buns” by Little Baby Bum
A song inspired by your favorite Easter treat. If you want to make it extra-special, you can whip up a batch of your own after you sing the song. (We’ll take any excuse to do some baking.)
“Run Bunny Run” by Hullabaloo
This song cautions a little bun to run as fast as it can away from different dangers (including a little brother who just wants to snuggle him). There’s no better soundtrack for setting kids loose on a no-holds-barred egg hunt.