Serbian kids songs are a crucial part of every child’s birthday or day spent in a kindergarten. If you know some small children’s parents from Serbia, they can tell you that these songs are an important part of everyday life. 🙂
Today, there are plenty of different Serbian songs, but here we will mention the all-time favourites.
So, if you have small children and want to learn them Serbian, or live in the Serbian diaspora and are ready for a bit of nostalgia, keep reading.
#1 Serbian Kids Songs: Ringe Ringe Raja
This song is also a dancing game. Children take each other by the hand and walk in a circle. At the same time, they are singing words and when they come to a point where the song goes like this:
jedno jaje muć
a mi deca čuč
everyone must crouch. The one who crouches last is out of the game.
Of course, it’s not about the winner but laughter and good fun!
#2 Serbian Kids Songs: Kad si srećan
Another popular song that is also a dancing game is ‘When You’re Happy’. It’s common for parents to sing and dance along with their children because it’s like an azbuka for Serbs — you cannot forget it.
This song has several tasks, such as clapping your hands, touching your knees, and more, and it’s one of the first songs children hear when they are little.
It serves as a great way to exercise motor skills.
Also, Kad si srećan has an important message – share your happiness with others!
#3 Serbian Kids Songs: Ide maca oko tebe
Another popular game song is ’The Cat is Walking Around You’.
It involves one child pretending to be a cat walking in a circle around a group of seated kids. At the end of the song, the “cat” picks someone and playfully taps them, starting a chase or switching roles.
The lyrics are repetitive and easy to memorise, so it’s a favourite among toddlers and preschoolers.
#4 Serbian Kids Songs: Deca su ukras sveta
This song (translated as ‘Children Are the Ornament of the World’) was written by Ljubivoje Ršumović, a beloved Serbian poet and author of children’s literature.
His song has become something of a national anthem for childhood in Serbia. The lyrics celebrate the innocence and importance of children, reminding adults to cherish and nurture them.
It has a gentle melody and heartwarming message, commonly sung in kindergartens, schools, and family gatherings.
In Serbia, the most famous version of this song is the one performed by Minja Subota, a well-known Serbian composer and musician. His TV show for children called Muzički tobogan (= Musical Slide) is also very popular.
#5 Serbian Kids Songs: Leptiriću šareniću
‘The Little Colourful Butterfly’ is a gentle, soothing song often used in lullabies or quiet playtime. Its author is one of the most famous Serbian poets, Jovan Jovanović Zmaj.
His song is about a smart, colourful butterfly. The singer invites the butterfly to come to him so he can count how many legs it has. But the butterfly is distrustful and decides to give him the answer from a safe distance. 🙂
This humorous song has a gentle and repetitive melody, making it perfect for calming down at bedtime.
#6 Serbian Kids Songs: Išli smo u Afriku
This is a cheerful song about animals and paprika. Did you know that paprika is one of the Serbian words used worldwide?
It sings about how people went to Africa to plant paprika from Banat. All animals were confused; for example, monkeys thought that these were bananas.
When children (and grown-ups, too) hear ‘We went to Africa’, they start dancing immediately.
#7 Serbian Kids Songs: Vuče, vuče, bubo lenja
’You Wolf, You Lazy Bug’ is a famous Serbian song about laziness and the importance of education.
It was also written by children’s poet Ljubivoje Ršumović, and its most popular version is the one with a children’s chorus called Kolibri.
Parents love this song, mainly because it is fun and educational at the same time.
#8 Serbian Kids Songs: Učimo da brojimo
You would probably agree that math is not the easiest school subject. But when it comes to learning numbers (or probably any other thing), learning through play can be really beneficial.
A song called ’We Learn to Count’ was created to help children learn counting to ten and enjoy it at the same time.
#9 Serbian Kids Songs: Najlepša mama na svetu
‘The Prettiest Mom in the World’ is a warm and cheerful song with a dose of humour for children, characteristic of another famous Serbian poet, Duško Radović.
This beautiful song talks about the bond between a child and a mother. Although the title may sound different, this song is not a competition but talks about how every mother is the most beautiful mom in the world.
#10 Serbian Kids Songs: Đu đu đuskaju
This is one of the favourite songs from lower-grade excursions! It was sung by one of Serbia’s most famous actors, Milorad Mandić Manda.
The song’s rhythm and lyrics bring smiles to people’s faces. These verses tell a love story between a girl and a boy, and how the whole city danced with them.
The Importance of Serbian Kids Songs
Serbian kids songs are an important part of Serbian culture. They reflect values, humour and tradition.
As you can see, these songs are not just created for fun; they are also great for education and development.
They teach small children how to upgrade motoric skills and older children what their true values are—and all of that through music and dance!
These songs are also the first things Serbian children learn as they start talking. Easy to remember and with interesting lyrics they are favorite through generations!
Don’t hesitate to enjoy these children’s songs and some really quality music and compositions. Click here for a playlist. Dance like nobody’s watching, or in other words, like children would. 😉
If you want to learn Serbian and understand these songs better, start with your Serbian lessons for foreigners!
