I'm looking for some pieces (preferably up to about Gr.5 level) that my children would enjoy listening to.

Unfortunately (for them!) I tend to go for things in minor keys (not that I'm the morbid sort) and the kids (eldest 11) object, especially Daughter, who doesn't like my 'sunken ship music' (including lovely pieces like Albeniz' Capricho Catalan).

Any suggestions, anyone?

Why don't you go for something from Schumann's "Kinderscenen"? They are lovely and there are a few that are around grade 5 standard ("Vom Fremdern Landern und Menchen" is on the grade 5 syllabus this year), plus Traumerei is a repertoire standard for many people.

Alternatively, Debussy's "Golliwog's Cakewalk" is enjoyable to listen to.

One idea is to buy a collection of fun pieces - I just bought the other day a book called "Fascinations" from Boosey & Hawkes: its a collection of '35 pieces on the quirky side' and they're all really interesting to listen to. Plus it was only about £6 or £7. There's some modern composers, some dated 2003, but also Bartok, Liszt, Grieg, Rameau and some that I haven't heard of before. They're never really longer than 2 pages.

(one piece is called "Dance of the Metro-Gnome", which I find really funny)

I think they do a couple more in the series like a calming themed book and other moods. (in fact, I think the series might be called "Piano Moods", but I'm not 100% sure about that, its just written somewhere on the book).

Hope that helps you a bit!
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Are you looking specifically for classical pieces? Have you thought of exploring the 'jazzier' side of the repertoire? I don't mean full-blown jazz, just pieces in lighter or jazzy style.

Martha Mier's Jazz Rags and Blues (probably book 4 for you) or some of John Kember's books might be fun. John's series ' On the Lighter Side' could provide something (the level varies though). Have you a music shop where you can go and have a browse?

Other possible names are Pam Wedgwood and Christopher Norton.

Thanks for the replies! I already have some of what's been suggested, like the Schumann, but hadn't thought of anything jazzy - which is a bit dim of me, seeing as all three of my kids love jazz

I'll have to go into Munich and have a browse round the big sheet music shop there. I've only heard good things about Pam Wedgwood's jazz books, so hopefully I can get them here...

My younger daughter likes anything she can dance too - Minuets, Gavottes, Waltzes...