Stocking Stuffers: Spanish & Bilingual CDs

Today's stocking stuffer ideas center around giving the gift of language. I had someone request that I share some recommendations for great Spanish CDs for kids. Well, here are my top 5 picks! Some are Spanish-only, and a few are bilingual. 

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¡Buenos Días!
from Whistlefritz

¡BUENOS DÍAS! is a tour de force celebration of the vibrant music, language, and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The music transports kids on a magical ride from Spain in Sonidos del flamenco (Sounds of Flamenco) to Mexico's Cascarones (the lively eggshell tradition) to the Andes (Manzanita de Perú and Arbolito de Perú), finally culminating in a trip across the entire Spanish-speaking world in Se Habla Español (We Speak Spanish). Irresistible salsa, merengue, flamenco, reggae, and Andean rhythms encourage kids to sing along as they learn traditional Latin American foods in El Tamal No Está Mal (The Tamale Isn't Bad), animals in ¿Cómo Se Llama La Llama? (What's the Llama's Name?), and musical instruments in Hagamos Música (Let's Make Music). And, in this challenging time for kids and parents, the sensational soprano voice of award-winning Cuban-American singer, Ileana Pérez, soothes the spirit with her exquisite renditions of the beloved Spanish lullaby Duérmete Mi Niño and Niña (Sleep My Little One), and the hauntingly beautiful original lullaby Cuando Llegue La Noche (When the Night Comes). Lyrics, translations, and a vocabulary guide are available for free download as an easy reference guide for parents and teachers. Get ready to say Buenos días to a world of Spanish-learning fun!

Ritmo y Rima

from Mister G and José V

A few years ago, I recommended Mister G's album Mundo Verde as a great gift idea for bilingual kids. While researching for this post, I discovered that he has a NEW bilingual (but mostly Spanish) album out. Created with fellow artist, José V, Ritmo and Rima had a rocky start since the pandemic hit before they could begin. But the pandemic actually caused the album to grow instead! Before long, they had reached out to musician friends from all over the Americas who were also isolated at home. The album became an international project with players from Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Peru, and the Dominican Republic adding their distinct styles.

The album, Ritmo y Rima (Rhythm & Rhyme), celebrates the vibrant sounds and textures of the Latin world. The samba inspired title track conjures the joyful atmosphere of carnival, “Señorita Mariposa” celebrates the extraordinary migration of the monarch butterfly, while the closing song “Tú y Tú y Yo” is a heartfelt anthem calling for unity across borders and solidarity with those who traverse them.

In a sense, the album has two voices: children will be drawn to the captivating songs that explore topics like colors, animals, and a connection to the natural world. Adults will appreciate the wide range of musical styles, the educational component of the songs, and the themes of unity and hope that are woven throughout the album.

¡En la radio!

from Nathalia

Centered around the theme of connection, En la Radio consists of 10 original songs written in English and Spanish while inviting ‘radio listeners’ to explore a variety of music styles from the U.S. and Latin America. This CD switches back and forth from Spanish to English in the songs and is the perfect gift for children fluent in both languages. 

Hola, Amigo: Songs of Friendship

from 123 Andrés

Hola, Amigo started out as a song in 123 Andrés’ debut album, and became a fan favorite. Today, the message of Hola, Amigo is more important than ever. This summer, 123 Andrés is releasing a surprise digital album – Hola, Amigo: Songs of Friendship, with remastered versions of Hola, Amigo in Spanish and English, and eight more songs that explore the theme of friendship, in two languages.

¡Muévete! Songs for a Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body

from José-Luis Orozco

José-Luis created this album with your child's fitness in mind. With each and every song, children are encouraged to get up and move. They clap, stomp, dance their way through each melody. There are nine songs sung twice; once in English and once in Spanish. You'll recognize a couple of traditional ones such as Los Pollitos.

Stocking Stuffers for Kids

I cooked. I feasted. And I was overwhelmed with gratitude. How thankful I am for my dear family, friends... and my work here on MommyMaestra. I so enjoy watching my kids learn, learning myself, and sharing what we've learned with you.

Now, I turn my focus toward finding gifts of value for my children and yours. Gifts that our children will learn from. Gifts that they'll enjoy for more than 5 minutes. Gifts that have a lasting impact by developing a skill or nurturing their curiosity and creativity.

Today, I'm highlighting stocking stuffers. Here are some of the ones I've found that I love. You can find them and see my complete list by visiting my Amazon Idea Lists. For this list, click on "Stocking Stuffers."

This post contains affiliate links.

At the top of my list is a Dora and the Lost City of Gold DVD. I can't help it. My kids loved it and so did I. I'm not putting an age range on this one. You know your kids best and whether or not they'll love it. You've probably already seen it! And it is a great family movie. 

For young dinosaur lovers, I have two little products that I love. First is this stocking-sized dino dig.  It's a quick activity that yields a tiny treasure they'll delight in. I'm going to say this will work best for kids 6 to 10 because there are little bitty parts (choking hazard for little kids!). 

The second is this dinosaur skull comb and brush set! Okay, this is just super cute. And it is a good choice for younger children (still not for kids under 3!). And it helps encourage good hygiene habits and taking care of their appearance. :) 

Are you raising a reader? Check out this Digital Bookmark and Reading Timer that helps them track their progress! I wish someone had gotten me this when I was a kid. (Okay, I'm sure they didn't exist back then.) Yay for technology! Ages 5 and up.

Or maybe you have a young scientist. It doesn't matter, really. Who wouldn't love a Pocket Volcano? Hello? Ages 5 and up!

I actually heard about this book - A Velocity of Being - on NPR and listened to an excerpt of the passage that Shonda Rhimes contributed. It was amazing. I want to read this book for myself! But I'm getting it for my 15-year-old. 

It includes letters from Jane Goodall, Neil Gaiman, Jerome Bruner, Shonda Rhimes, Ursula K. Le Guin, Yo-Yo Ma, Judy Blume, Lena Dunham, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Jacqueline Woodson, as well as a ninety-eight-year-old Holocaust survivor, a pioneering oceanographer, and Italy's first woman in space. And all of the proceeds from this book go to the New York Public Library systems. Here's a description of the book:

In these pages, some of today's most wonderful culture-makers―writers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and philosophers―reflect on the joys of reading, how books broaden and deepen human experience, and the ways in which the written word has formed their own character.

For little explorers, the new series from Encantos is a must! Tiny Travelers has just launched and their first two books are about Mexico (shown) and China. Here's a description:

Tiny Travelers is inspired by a world of cultures. The Tiny Travelers “Treasure Quest” Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special. Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of each country.

In Tiny Travelers Mexico Treasure Quest, readers journey from the mariachi-filled plazas, to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. From the Lucha Libre ring, to the flower filled boats of Xochimilco, tiny travelers will enjoy getting closer to Mexican culture making magical discoveries along the way.