Published October 17, 2025
We love music around here. There’s usually music playing just about all day long. It’s playing while we cook, do school, tackle DIY projects, or have a spontaneous dance party. As part of my girls’ education, I wanted them to be familiar with music from all different decades. I wanted these playlists sorted by decade, starting with my parents’ generation in the 1950s and working up to the 1990s.
Important disclaimer: I used ChatGPT to create these playlists. So, keep in mind what feels fine for one family might not feel fine for another. You should preview and use your own discretion before playing them for kids.
Table of Contents
How We’ll Use These Decade Playlists
- Homeschool history tie ins: Play the decade you are studying, then talk about culture, fashion, and major events from that time.
- Road trip sanity saver: Download the playlists for offline listening.
- Chore time motivation: Turn on a decade and set a timer.
- PE and dance breaks: Pick the high energy tracks for movement sessions.
- Music appreciation: Compare styles between decades and identify instruments.
- Just for fun: These playlists make epic background music for our family dance parties. The party lights are also a super fun bonus!
1950s Playlist
Our first decade playlist takes us to the clean and classic ’50s hits. Such a fun decade for music! We’ve got doo wop, early rock and roll, and beloved crooners.
Listen:Spotify 1950s Hits Playlist | Apple Music 1950s Family Playlist
Good vibes: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, The Coasters, Chuck Berry, Dean Martin, and Ritchie Valens.
1960s Playlist
The next decade is the 1960s. This playlist spans everything from Motown, surf rock, the British invasion, and early pop rock.
Listen:Spotify 1960s Hits Playlist | Apple Music 1960s Family Playlist
Good vibes: The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, The Monkees, and James Brown.
1970s Playlist
These decades of music playlists are staying alive in the 1970s with feel-good rock, disco, and some awesome sing-along anthems.
Listen:Spotify 1960s Hits Playlist | Apple Music 1970s Family Playlist
Good vibes: ABBA, Neil Diamond, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jackson 5, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Bee Gees.
1980s Playlist
These upbeat ’80s favorites can include tracks from pop, rock, hair bands, and even new wave.
Listen:Spotify 1980s Hits Playlist | Apple Music 1980s Family Playlist
Good vibes: Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, a-ha, Queen, Hall & Oates.
1990s Playlist
Everything from the ’90s is having a moment right now, and that includes the music. Until I saw this decade’s playlist, I forgot how wide-ranging the 1990s were musically. From MC Hammer to Britney Spears, you’ll find hits in pop, R&B, country, and light rock.
Listen:Spotify 1990s Hits Playlist | Apple Music 1990s Family Playlist
Good vibes: Brittney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, Mariah Carey, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer
Final Notes on My Family’s Playlists by Decade
Music is a powerful tool. We’ll use these playlists by decade for dance breaks in the kitchen, car sing-alongs, and little history lessons that actually stick. I hope you enjoy them in your home just as much as we do!
A quick reminder that ChatGPT helped me brainstorm and organize these lists, and every family has different standards. Please preview and edit before turning them on for your kids. If you have a favorite clean song from these decades that I missed, drop it in the comments so I can keep these fresh for everyone.
Planning a family road trip? Pair these decade playlists with my tried and true road trip essentials to keep little travelers happy, organized, and entertained from start to finish. > Road Trip with Kids: 11 Essentials You’ll Wish You Packed
📌 Save These Playlists by Decade
Pin now and come back anytime you want kid-safe hits from the 1950s–1990s for homeschool, chores, or road trips.
FAQ: Music Playlists by Decade
Check for the explicit label on your streaming app, skim the lyrics, and do a quick headphone preview. If the theme or tone does not feel right, skip it.
Look for upbeat pop rock with radio edits. Artists like Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis and The News, and Phil Collins often work well.
Yes. Pair a decade playlist with a short lesson about major events, technology, and fashion from that era. Ask kids to identify instruments and rhythms.
To make it easy to listen, I created Apple Music and Spotify versions of every playlist. Use the links beneath each decade.
