Party Playlist Generator

For a 2-hour party, plan for 35-40 songs. The average song is about 3-3.5 minutes long, so 35 songs gives you roughly 2 hours of music with no repeats. Always add 10 extra songs as a buffer in case some songs feel wrong in the moment.

The best kids party songs are ones they already know and love. Top picks include Baby Shark, Let It Go (Frozen), Happy by Pharrell, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, and Cha Cha Slide for group dancing. Disney and movie soundtracks are always safe bets for ages 3-10.

Preview every song on your playlist before the party, paying attention to lyrics. For kids under 10, stick to movie soundtracks, Disney songs, and radio-edit versions of pop hits. For teens, ask the birthday kid to help curate and flag any songs parents might object to.

For most birthday parties, a well-curated playlist on a good Bluetooth speaker works perfectly and saves $200-500 over hiring a DJ. DJs are worth it for larger parties (40+ guests) or teen dances where live mixing keeps the energy high. For kids parties under 30 guests, a playlist is the better choice.

Keep music at conversation level for kids parties — guests should be able to talk without shouting. For young kids (3-6), keep volume especially low as loud music can be overwhelming and cause crying. Turn it up slightly for dance activities, then back down for cake and presents.

Start with medium-energy songs as guests arrive, build up to high-energy dance songs during the middle of the party, then wind down with slower songs for cake, presents, and departure time. This natural arc keeps the energy fun without exhausting the kids too early.