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

[Dance] Chant

Reiwa 6 School Year Dance Performance: “Sho” (Elder/Oldest Kindergarten Class)

[Dance] Chant

How about trying a dance to “Show” sung by Ado, the song that’s become a staple of Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween Horror Nights? It’s a very popular track, so many kids have probably heard it.

In the video, the choreography for the chorus is the same as the routine actually performed at Universal Studios Japan.

The tempo is fast, so the moves can be challenging, but even simple choreography becomes more powerful when everyone’s movements are in sync.

Why not give it a try?

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Sparkly Kingdom on the Cloudsshimajirou

[Dance for Sports Day that toddlers can do too] On the Shining Kingdom’s Clouds 🌈 [Kindergarten, Nursery School, Recital]

Sparkly Kingdom on the Cloudsshimajirou

With its bright, bouncy melody and captivating vocals, this song instantly captures children’s hearts.

Set in a mysterious world above the clouds, it’s packed with dreams and excitement, making any sports day dance program even more delightful.

It’s the theme song for the film “Shimajiro and the Prince of the Twinkling Kingdom,” released in March 2022, and it’s brimming with Shimajiro’s charming worldview.

The easy-to-learn choreography and upbeat, positive message resonate with children and energize the event.

The simple dance moves are designed so everyone can join in together.

It’s an exceptionally wonderful track that adds extra sparkle to the atmosphere of sports day.

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Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

I LOVE U @ Airi - Fortune Cookie in Love [Practice / Mirrored]

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

If you’re looking for a dance number that suits a sports day attended by a wide range of age groups, we recommend “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie.” It was released in 2013 by AKB48, the female idol group that has produced numerous stars, and it has been featured widely across the media.

Many people will be familiar with its cute “rice ball” hand-rolling move.

The arrangement evokes the disco sound of the 1970s.

With its slow tempo, it’s also a great choice for kids who are new to dancing!

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Shakariki! Soran Samba

Shakariki! Soran Samba: 2018 Japo Kids Sports Day (1) [Preschool Teaching Material, Choreography Sample]

Shakariki! Soran Samba

This is a rhythmic dance track that blends Soran Bushi, a folk dance beloved throughout Japan, with South American samba! As you’ll hear, its irresistible groove makes you want to dance from the bottom of your heart.

Even if you don’t know the choreography, your body will start moving on its own.

To really amp up a recital or sports day, a happy song like this is perfect! As in the video, it’s ideal to prepare props like pom-poms, but if you dance energetically with a big smile, that alone will be a huge success!

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My Neighbor Totoro

Mitakedai Kindergarten – Totoro’s Dance (from My Neighbor Totoro)

My Neighbor Totoro

Studio Ghibli’s beloved mega-hit “My Neighbor Totoro” is another song I highly recommend.

I think even kindergarteners have seen it at least once.

Just hearing the music brings back memorable scenes: the first time they meet Totoro, the scene where Mei gets lost, riding the Catbus through the sky, and more.

It’s a slightly slow-tempo march, so it suits all kinds of dances—cute styles, gymnastics-style routines, you name it.

Lots of people have uploaded their own original dance videos, so you might find plenty of inspiration.

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Taki no namida pin ku

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New EraAdo

[Sports Day Dance] New Genesis / Ado (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) / Easy Dance for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Elementary School

New EraAdo

Ado’s song “New Genesis,” the theme song of the anime film ONE PIECE FILM RED, is a lively number full of speed and energy.

It’s perfect as a dance track for sports days or school performances.

With an 80s techno-pop vibe, it’s a refreshing, powerful song with a sense of drive.

Its light, upbeat tempo makes you want to start running, matches dances well, and will definitely shine at events like sports days.

With choreography that’s easy to dance yet cool, become the star of your sports day.

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Perfect for preschoolers! Recommended dance songs for sports day (21–30)

Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

Dokimeki Diary – asmi feat. Chinozo (Official Music Video)

Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

Like weaving together precious memories, this song is filled with uplifting messages brimming with hope and anticipation.

asmi’s clear, transparent vocals and Chinozo’s refined compositional sense blend beautifully, creating a pleasant sense of elation.

Portraying the courage and determination to take a new step forward while overcoming the anxieties and confusion of a journey of self-discovery, the track has been beloved as the opening theme for the Pokémon TV anime since April 2023.

It also received its first full-size performance during the special program “Anime Pokémon Music Festival,” broadcast on the TV Tokyo network on March 31.

It’s a powerful cheer song that gives you a supportive push at moments of new challenges—such as before events at sports days or athletic festivals.

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