Nursery rhymes perfect for April: A collection of classic spring songs that capture the season

Green breezesakushi: shimizu katsura / sakkyoku: kusakawa shin

Japanese children's song: Midori no Soyokaze (The Green Breeze)

A children’s song depicting a spring scene, created by the famed duo Katsura Shimizu (lyrics) and Shin Kusakawa (music).

It features tranquil lyrics and a bright melody, and was first broadcast on NHK Radio in January 1948.

It portrays gentle, everyday images such as butterflies, pea blossoms, and a mother bird in a nest box.

Released during the postwar reconstruction period, it has been cherished by many as a symbol of a new era.

Its enduring appeal continues today, having been used in an Asahi Kasei Homes commercial in 2006 and in part for a Taisho Pharmaceutical commercial in 2019.

It’s a perfect song for children embarking on a fresh start with the arrival of spring.

What is your name?Indoneshia min’yō

Your Name (a hand-play song for two people)

This is a hand-play song rooted in a traditional Indonesian folk tune, widely beloved in early childhood education settings.

It helps children become familiar with their own names and those of their friends, fostering communication while they enjoy learning names.

The melody is bright and approachable, designed so children can sing along happily.

It is often sung at the start of activities or during morning gatherings and is used as a hand-play song in preschool environments.

The piece is included mainly in piano collections for educators, such as “Songs for Children: Easy Piano Accompaniment You Can Play—Perfect for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens.” Recommended for childcare settings, it has a warm atmosphere that eases anxiety in new environments and helps children build relationships with friends.

Bamboo shoots are sprouting.warabeuta

[KBS Children's Songs] The Bamboo Shoot Sprouted

Through a traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring, it gently wraps children’s hearts in warmth.

The key is choreography that engages the whole body—pressing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading both arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.

The way it’s played varies slightly by region and has been passed down from parents to children.

It can be enjoyed not only as a hand game but also as a rock–paper–scissors game, making it popular among children in nursery schools and kindergartens.

Keeping rhythm while moving their hands and bodies, children naturally break into smiles.

This piece is a friendly song that eases the worries of children who feel anxious in new environments.

It is truly a perfect number for fostering children’s healthy growth and emotional richness.

lazyboneswarabe uta

Hamamatsu City: Introducing April's nursery rhymes for rhythmics (Eurhythmics)

The children’s song handed down in Saga Prefecture has horsetail shoots as its theme, heralding the arrival of spring.

The lyrics call out to the sprouts as they peek up from the soil.

There are many ways to enjoy it—swaying together as parent and child or playing with a cloth, for example.

Reflecting the local culture, it is a cherished tradition passed down across generations.

It also seems to encourage interaction with springtime nature and promote rhythm and language development.

Widely enjoyed by various ages in nursery schools and kindergartens, it is a lovely song that expresses hopes for children’s healthy growth.

Let’s go to the park.Sakushi sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu

[Song♫] Let's Go to the Park / With Mother (Covered by UtaSta) [Animated PV]

This popular song from NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” is characterized by a bright tone that evokes the arrival of spring and a lively, uplifting rhythm.

Created by Osamu Sakata, it features lyrics that convey the joy of playing outdoors and a warm worldview that can be enjoyed across generations, from babies to the elderly.

It was sung by Ayumi Shigemori and Kentaro Hayami in August 1999, and around the same time it was also included on Ikkokudō’s album “Niji no Mukou ni.” It’s a heartwarming piece you’ll want to hum with someone special during a sunny walk or playtime at the park—perfect for enjoying with family and friends in the fresh green season.

Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma

Zou-san | Children's song | Red Cat Reading

Born from the collaboration of Michio Mado and Ikuma Dan, this song—portraying a warm bond between parent and child—was first broadcast on NHK Radio in May 1952.

Characterized by a gentle triple-time melody and heartwarming lyrics that cherish one’s individuality, it has been featured in many educational and children’s TV programs and is loved across generations.

The May 2007 version by Satoko Yamano and the Morinoki Children’s Choir remains one of the most beloved recordings.

With a melody that nestles close to the heart like a gentle spring breeze, it’s perfect for parents and children to hum together.

In the fresh green season, singing it while out for a walk will make for even more delightful memories.

Hey, Kaba-kun!sakushi: nakagawa itsuko / sakkyoku: nakagawa hirotaka

[Children’s Song] Hey, Mr. Hippopotamus

With its calm and gentle atmosphere, this song was released in April 2007 as a picture book with a CD, and together with illustrations by Hiroshi Abe, a former zookeeper at Asahiyama Zoo, it became a tune rooted in children’s daily lives.

Created by Hirotaka Nakagawa and Itsuko Nakagawa, the work also encourages children’s curiosity about animals through its focus on hippos.

It was featured on the TV program Hirake! Ponkikki and has long been loved by many children.

Its relaxed tempo and melody perfectly match the laid-back image of hippos, making it great for singing along with your child.

Why not hum it happily on a spring field trip or during a visit to the zoo?