German · Bedtime

German bedtime songs for kids

Bedtime is the most repeated routine in a child's day, which makes it one of the best places to add a little German. The same few phrases, every night, in a calm voice: good night, I love you, close your eyes. The bedtime songs are slower and softer than the action songs, made for winding down.

Is it a good fit? Works for the whole 2–8 range. For the last few minutes before sleep, consider audio only with the screen off.

Same words, same order, every night

Children find comfort in predictable routines. Choose two bedtime songs and keep them in the same order each night. Within a couple of weeks most kids will sing the good-night line before you do.

Turn the screen off at the end

Many families like to dim the lights and play the last song as audio only. You can still sing the German line together; you'll have learned it from the lyrics by then.

Use the words beyond the song

Once the song is over, say good night and I love you in German at the door. That's when the words move from song to real life.

German words to start with

Words from the songs below that fit this moment. Tap one for pronunciation help and practice ideas.

English	German	Sounds like ≈
good night	gute Nacht	GOO-tuh NAKHT
I love you	ich hab dich lieb	ikh hahp dikh LEEP
tired	müde	MÜ-duh
eyes	die Augen	dee OW-gen
family	die Familie	dee fah-MEE-lee-uh

Good to know about German: German is spoken in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and beyond. Greetings differ by region (Moin, Servus, Grüß Gott, Grüezi), but standard German, the kind in the songs, is understood everywhere.

German songs for bedtime

Hand-picked from the German library. Songs marked Free are part of the free first unit; the rest are Premium.

Quick tips

Pick two calm songs and keep the same order every night.
Say good night to each toy in German as it goes to bed.
Look out of the window and wish the moon good night.
End with the same German phrase every night at the door.

Questions parents ask

Aren't songs too exciting for bedtime?

Some are, which is why we suggest the slower songs: good night, the moon and the stars, time to sleep. Keep the action songs for daytime.

Should my child watch or just listen at bedtime?

That's your call. Many families watch the first song with the lyrics and play the last one as audio only with the lights low.

Sing it in German, free

The first unit, 6 greeting songs with lyrics and English translation, is free forever. No card needed. Premium unlocks all 134 songs.

Start free — no card