Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs that almost everyone has heard at least once, like “Elephant,” “The Policeman Dog,” and “Aye-Aye.” Because they’re made for little kids, looking at the lyrics again really shows their pleasing sound, easy-to-follow stories, and skillful word choices.
Famous nursery rhymes that have been sung for generations are perfect for parents and children to sing together.
This time, we’ve also selected many songs that you can do hand motions with, so be sure to enjoy singing along together!
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Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals (11–20)
gluttonous gorilla
Here is a song that turns hand play into a story about a gluttonous gorilla eating various foods.
It often starts with a banana, but if you freely make parody versions and have the gorilla eat different things, the possibilities expand and it becomes a very fun song.
By the way, the punchline is that when the gorilla tries to peel and eat an onion, it disappears.
Mr. Elephant
This is a song with lyrics by the poet Michio Mado.
It features a gentle exchange between a mother elephant and her baby set to a relaxed melody.
Although the song is simple, the way it captures their physical characteristics and the “I’m just like you, Mommy” kind of parent-child dialogue is quite profound, isn’t it?
Animal Exercises 1-2-3
It’s fun to imagine animals doing calisthenics every day to stay healthy, isn’t it? In “Animal Exercises,” you can move your body following the workout styles of many different animals.
From elephants and snakes to ducks, you’ll use your whole body, so you can expect quite a bit of exercise throughout a single song.
Best of all, by fully pretending to be the animals and moving with gusto, smiles come naturally, and you can enjoy it together with children! It seems like a great way to get your body moving energetically at the start of the day and kick off with a strong start.
skylark skylarkwarabeuta asobi
In the pleasantly breezy month of May, here’s a nursery rhyme game with a springtime bird theme that we hope parents and children will enjoy at a relaxed pace.
It’s characterized by short, repeated phrases that call to the birds and depict traveling over mountains and through valleys.
You can rock your child on your lap, use your fingertips to represent hills and valleys—there’s no single right way to play! Though it’s a traditional song passed down in local communities since long ago, new audio recordings with fresh ways of singing were released as recently as March 2021, and it continues to be loved today in various forms, especially in early childhood settings.
Precisely because there’s no fixed answer, you can tailor it to your child’s age and the atmosphere of the moment—that’s the charm of this piece.
On a warm, sunny day, why not find your own original way to play together with your child?
Zebra SwirlSakushi: Endou Kouzou / Sakkyoku: Inui Hiroki
With the balmy weather in May, it’s the perfect season for a fun trip to the zoo! A great recommendation for times like these is a delightful hand-play song themed around zebra stripes.
Written by Kozo Endo and composed by Hiroki Inui, this piece is full of unique wordplay in which you whirl and peel off the zebra’s stripes and transform it into another animal.
The song began being featured around 1982 on NHK’s children’s program “Okaasan to Issho,” and it was also included on a CD released in March 2000, making it a long-loved favorite across generations.
It’s great fun to mimic the motions of taking off and putting on the stripes to the lively rhythm! Whether on the bus ride to the zoo or during time at home, singing it together as a parent and child and laughing yourselves silly could be just the thing!
Panda Rabbit Koalasakushi: takada hiroo / sakkyoku: inui hiroki
The fresh greenery of May feels great, and it’s the perfect season for a trip to the zoo, isn’t it? That’s when this song—featuring three kinds of animals appearing one after another—is perfect for parents and kids to sing and play together.
With lyrics by Hiroo Takada and music by Yuki Inui, it has been loved for many years, including being featured on the December 1990 album “NHK Okaasan to Issho Best 35.” Broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” this piece is especially fun because you can imitate animals in time with the rhythmic calls! The simple choreography is easy to learn right away, making it perfect for getting everyone excited on a field trip bus or at a picnic.
Be sure to strike cute poses together and have fun!
Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals (21–30)
The Bear of the Forest
As a children’s song featuring animals, this one is a true classic! It depicts the surprising moment of encountering a bear in the forest.
However, the bear turns out to be kind, picking up the earring the young lady dropped.
It’s a cheerful song that conjures up the image of a cute bear.
