Hello out there, and welcome back to another family music recommendation! It’s been a while, forgive me. Summer seems to have flown by, although some days feel like they’re 75 hours long. We are nearing the end of a home renovation, keeping the kids entertained (no easy feat in the summer during a pandemic), promoting the book (thanks again to those who have been so supportive!), trying not to freak out about our oldest starting kindergarten while Delta rages on, and just generally attempting to figure out life. You know what helps with all these things? MUSIC!

In my continuous hunt for kid-friendly tunes, I stumbled upon a Brooklyn-based musical duo called The Pop Ups. I was instantly intrigued by their synth-y, retro pop style. They have an eclectic sound across their repertoire, with a few stand-out songs.

We like to throw on “Box of Crayons” when we’re…..coloring! Coloring has become one of my favorite things to do, as an adult and with the kids. I have several adult coloring books, and as much as I’ve tried to keep them separate, they are now part of one huge pile for the kids. Nothing like forcing a smile when your 5-year-old hijacks an intricate Enchanted Garden coloring that you spent hours on….but at least it’s relaxing!

My daughter will sit for a full hour coloring away, then hang the pictures all around the house with painter’s tape. She even made some for our dog and taped them next to her crate (how friggin precious is that!?).

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Most of The Pop Ups’ songs accompany calm activities very well. “All These Shapes” and “Subway Train” are two other favorites for gentler times of day. This isn’t music you’ll want to get up and dance to, it’s more like “study music” for any heads down activity like art or sensory stuff. Very imaginative, and sometimes even a bit monotone, but in a good way. They’re super talented (even Grammy nominated!), and they also host a musical podcast called, “Meet the Alpha Beats”, to help kids learn the alphabet. Sweet!

So next time you bust out the playdoh, coloring books, or finger paints, try throwing on The Pop Ups for a different soundtrack.

Playlist updated!

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!