Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Perfect for preschoolers! Recommended dance songs for sports day (roundup)

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

Sports day is a once-a-year special event even for middle-year kindergarteners!

As they practice sprints and team events and decorate the school, both kids and adults can feel the excitement building.

Here, we’ll introduce songs that are perfect for dance routines in the sports day program for middle-year children!

From classic favorites to the latest hits, we’ve got a wide selection—find the perfect track for your kids.

Be sure to read to the end and get the fun sports day atmosphere going!

Perfect for preschoolers (4–5 years old)! Recommended dance songs for sports day (1–10)

TimingBurakku Bisukettsu

Yakushiji Kindergarten: 2024 Kindergarten Sports Day — Middle Class Parent-Child Dance “Timing”

TimingBurakku Bisukettsu

We’d like to introduce a song that’s perfect for a bright and energetic atmosphere at children’s sports days! It’s a single by Black Biscuits, released in April 1998, which reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts and became a huge hit with about 1.48 million copies sold.

Its pop, uplifting melody and lively beat have an irresistible rhythm that naturally gets kids moving.

It’s a well-known favorite among J-pop fans and continues to be loved across generations, even being performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in December 2023.

The lyrics, which sing about important moments in everyday life, make it perfect for practice time leading up to the dance segment of a sports day.

The fun choreography that kids can energetically dance to with friends is sure to become a popular program for preschoolers’ sports festivals.

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Fox DanceYlvis

Let's all dance the #FoxDance! Choreography video [The Fox]

Fox DanceYlvis

How about giving the “Fox Dance,” which was selected for the 2022 New Words and Buzzwords Awards, a try? The “Fox Dance” is a routine performed by the cheerleading team of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

With lyrics themed around various animal sounds and adorable choreography, it’s sure to get both the dancers and the audience excited.

By the way, the song used is “The Fox” by the musical duo Ylvis.

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We are little pirates.hiromichi & tanizou

[Gymnastics, Sports Day Dance] We Are Little Pirates! [Daycare, Kindergarten, Dance, Gymnastics, Elementary School, Recital, Sports Day]

We are little pirates.hiromichi & tanizou

This is a fun dance song for kindergarteners that portrays children diving into adventure as pirates.

Included on the March 2021 album by Hiromichi & Tanizou, “Everyone’s Sports Day! – Request Best Selection,” the track features a catchy rhythm and an energetic vibe.

With an easy-to-imagine theme and simple choreography, it sparks children’s imagination while conveying the joy of moving their bodies.

Perfect for sports day events at kindergartens and nursery schools, it’s a song that naturally brings smiles to kids’ faces.

Through practicing for sports day, children can also experience the joy of dancing together with friends.

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Perfect for preschoolers (age 4–5)! Recommended dance songs for sports day (11–20)

swallowYOASOBI with Midorīzu

[Aoki Iro] “Swallow” Dance Music Video Full ver. YOASOBI with Midories | SDGs | NHK

swallowYOASOBI with Midorīzu

How about “Tsubame,” a song with heartwarming lyrics? It was written as the theme song for the SDGs TV program “Hirogare! Irotoridori.” The track is by YOASOBI, a duo known for creating music based on stories.

Its lyrics, inspired by “The Happy Prince,” will give your dance a warmer atmosphere.

Try dancing with a smile while imagining the protagonist depicted in the lyrics! Another appeal is its slower tempo, which makes it easier to match the choreography.

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Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Mela!' Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Mela!

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

How about “Mela!”, a song whose passionate vocals will set your heart on fire? This track by Ryokuoushoku Shakai was released in 2020 and is also known as the set piece for the “Let’s Become One! Dance ONE Project.” Because of that, it’s notable for having many choreography videos posted online.

It could be fun to watch various videos and collect your favorite routines.

The chorus section is long, so if you’re creating your own choreography, it should be easy to sync your movements!

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Coco☆Natsuhiromichi & tanizou

[Gymnastics/Exercise, Sports Day Dance] Coco☆Nuts [Daycare, Kindergarten, Dance, Exercise, Elementary School, Recital, Sports Day]

Coco☆Natsuhiromichi & tanizou

One entry in the sports day series by the well-known duo of Hiromichi Sato—famous as the 10th-generation “Exercise Big Brother”—and Kunihiro Taniguchi, known as Tanizo.

Its infectious, upbeat rhythm and easy-to-follow choreography are the secrets to its popularity.

The catchy chorus will hook you after just one listen and keep even adults entertained.

The song features various moves throughout, but as long as you’ve nailed the chorus, you’re set.

This danceable exercise number is sure to fill everyone with smiles!

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I wish you lots of happinessnaniwa danshi

Naniwa Danshi – Sachi Are [Official Music Video] YouTube ver.

I wish you lots of happinessnaniwa danshi

I also recommend performing a dance to an uplifting, motivational song.

With that in mind, I’d like to introduce “Sachiare.” It was written by Yujin Kitagawa of Yuzu and is sung by the idol group Naniwa Danshi.

The lyrics are crafted to make you rediscover the happiness in everyday life.

Since the lyrics repeat the catchy phrase from the title, it’s sure to get everyone excited and in the groove.

What’s more, the sparkling imagery in the lyrics makes it a great match for a pom‑pom dance.

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