The best family karaoke songs are the ones a ten-year-old, her dad and her grandmother all half-know already: big choruses, simple melodies and nothing awkward in the words. Below is a tested list sorted by who usually grabs the mic first, plus a few tips for keeping a mixed-age singalong fun instead of chaotic.

What makes a song family-friendly at karaoke

Before the list, a quick filter. A song works for a family table when it ticks most of these boxes:

  • Clean lyrics. If you have to skip a verse because of the children, it is the wrong pick.
  • A chorus everyone can join. The point is shared singing, not a solo audition.
  • A comfortable range. Kids and older relatives both struggle with very high or very low notes.
  • Recognition across generations. The magic moment is when Grandma realises she knows the song too.

Songs the kids will fight over

Children usually want the mic first and they want it for something they have watched a hundred times.

  • Let It Go – Idina Menzel: the obvious one. The chorus climbs high, so let the adults help on the big notes.
  • Happy – Pharrell Williams: steady, bouncy and easy to clap along to. Great first song for a nervous child.
  • Count on Me – Bruno Mars: gentle tempo, sweet message, and the melody sits in a friendly range for young voices.
  • Shake It Off – Taylor Swift: high energy and quick, but the chorus repeats so much that kids pick it up fast.
  • Calm Down – Rema: the Afrobeats pick most Lagos children already know word for word. Mid-tempo and easy to follow.

Songs for parents who want to show off a little

Mum and Dad deserve their moment too, and these give them room to perform without leaving the kids out.

  • Dancing Queen – ABBA: a dance-floor classic that teenagers secretly enjoy. Medium difficulty on the verses.
  • I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys: perfect for parents who grew up in the 90s. Split the lines between two or three people.
  • Fall – Davido: smooth, relaxed and very singable. Works well as a parent-and-teen duet.
  • Ma Lo – Tiwa Savage ft. Wizkid: a fun back-and-forth for a couple, with an easy hook for the table to join.
  • Ojuelegba – Wizkid: an emotional crowd favourite with a low, conversational melody that suits most voices.

Songs to bring the grandparents in

This is where a family karaoke night becomes memorable. Pick something from their era and watch them light up.

  • Sweet Mother – Prince Nico Mbarga: possibly the most loved Nigerian song of all time. Everyone at the table will sing, and it is a beautiful one to dedicate.
  • Joromi – Victor Uwaifo: highlife history with a rhythm that gets older relatives moving in their seats.
  • Ada Ada – Flavour: technically newer, but the wedding-party feel makes it a favourite with aunties and uncles.
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond: the chorus practically sings itself, and the whole room tends to join in.
  • We Are Family – Sister Sledge: the title says it all. Save it for a group photo moment.
Tip: let the youngest person and the oldest person pick one song each and sing it together. It is usually the highlight of the night.

How to run a smooth family singalong

Take turns, but keep it loose

A strict rotation can feel like school. Instead, queue two or three songs at a time on the touch screen and let whoever is excited step up. Shy children often join halfway through once they see a sibling having fun.

Mix solos with group numbers

For every solo, add a song the whole table can sing. It keeps attention on the family rather than on one performer, and it stops anyone feeling left out.

Feed people before the big songs

Hungry children get restless. Order early, share something like the Shaunz Platter, and let the singing build once everyone is settled. You can check what is available on the menu before you arrive.

Leave room for non-singers

Not everyone wants the mic. A cousin who would rather play snooker or watch the match on TV is still part of the outing.

Sunday at Shaunz: All Night Karaoke with Your Loved Ones

Sunday at Shaunz is built for exactly this kind of outing. The night is called All Night Karaoke with Your Loved Ones, and it is a relaxed way to end the weekend together. Karaoke runs from 4pm till midnight, entry is free, and there are over 50,000 songs to choose from on the touch-screen request system, so finding Sweet Mother and Let It Go in the same session is no problem.

Shaunz is at Murphis Plaza, 27 Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island. Alongside the mic there is free snooker, sports on TV, food and grills, plus mocktail-friendly options like Rock Shandy alongside the cocktail list. If you are coming as a big family, note that groups of five or more have a ₦100,000 minimum spend, which a hungry family table usually covers comfortably over an evening.

See how Sunday fits with the rest of the week on our guide to what is on at Shaunz every night, and if you have a teenager who dreads singing in public, our guide to karaoke for shy people might help.

Sundays can fill up, so it helps to reserve. Use our reservation link and your first drink is on us, or call or WhatsApp 0905 555 6147 if you want to talk through a larger group. Then all you need to do is decide who sings first.

Read next

Frequently asked questions

Can children come to Shaunz for karaoke?
Sunday is designed as All Night Karaoke with Your Loved Ones, which makes it the natural night for a family outing. Call or WhatsApp 0905 555 6147 to confirm details for your group before you come.
What are the easiest family karaoke songs for young kids?
Happy by Pharrell Williams, Count on Me by Bruno Mars and Calm Down by Rema are easy wins because the melodies are simple and the choruses repeat.
Is there an entry fee on Sunday?
No. Entry to Shaunz is free every day, and karaoke runs from 4pm till midnight.
Do we need to book for a large family?
Booking is a good idea for bigger groups. Groups of five or more have a ₦100,000 minimum spend, and reserving through the website gets you your first drink free.