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

A strawberry is a strawberry.Sakushi: Kotaki Kiyomi / Sakkyoku: Fujita Taishi

Strawberries are Strawberries (Okaasan to Issho) / Kentaro Hayami & Ayumi Shigemori

This is a charming song with a bright, rhythmic, and fun melody paired with heartwarming lyrics.

It was broadcast in May 1997 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, with lyrics by Kiyomi Kotaki and music by Taishi Fujita.

The gently told story follows a protagonist who dreams of becoming a cake and, while chasing that dream, discovers their own true self—making it a song that enriches children’s imaginations.

Sung and beloved by Kentaro Hayami and Ayumi Shigemori, it was later carried on by Akihiro Sugita and Ryoko Tsumoda.

It is also included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album and has been cherished by many children.

It’s perfect for humming during walks or outdoor play, and for singing together on spring field trips or fun outings.

When sung with family, it’s sure to become a wonderful memory that shares the joy of spring.

I want to scribble on the sky.sakushi: Yamagami Michio / sakkyoku: Izumi Taku

I want to doodle in the sky by Himawari 🌻 with lyrics | Children's song |

Let us introduce a dream-filled children’s song that’s perfect for the season when May’s fresh greenery sparkles.

Created by Michio Yamagami (lyrics) and Taku Izumi (music), this piece is a delightful song that nurtures children’s rich imagination.

With lyrics brimming with free-spirited dreams—like a big apple tree, a bulldog, and a long bridge—paired with a light, cheerful melody, it’s truly charming.

It’s included on the albums “Kodomo no Uta: Paku Paku Itadakimasu!” and “Uk­iuki Wakuwaku! Kodomo no Uta,” and is also used as teaching material in kindergartens and nursery schools.

It’s a wonderful song to enjoy the joys of spring—whether you sing it while looking up at the sky on a walk, or sing along with friends while drawing pictures.

ladybugSakushi: Shimizu Aki / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae

[Children’s Song] Ladybug

A children’s song lovingly sung by Aki Shimizu and Tsuyae Kobayashi about a small red insect.

Set to a bright, lighthearted melody, it gently portrays the charming creature with its red body and distinctive black spots.

The song is included on the albums “Kodomo no Uta 200,” “Let’s Sing About Nature!,” and in the 1981 publication “Minna no Uta: 86 Songs,” and has long been beloved by many children.

With its friendly tune, it’s the kind of song you’ll find yourself humming on a leisurely spring day while out for a stroll.

It’s perfect not only for music activities in nurseries and kindergartens, but also for families to enjoy together while experiencing the nature of spring.

What color do you like?Sakushi: Sakata Osamu / Sakkyoku: Inui Yuki

[Baby Stops Crying] What Color Do You Like? / Together with Mother (Covered by UtaSuta) [Crayon/Colors/Memorization Song]

With its bright, rhythmic melody and friendly lyrics, this heartwarming song helps nurture children’s sense of color.

The gentle voices of Osamu Sakata and Yuko Kanzaki lead listeners into a world of colors like red, blue, yellow, and green.

Released by Victor Entertainment in June 1992, it was featured as the Song of the Month for June and July on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Filled with a soothing melody and elements that make learning color names fun, it’s perfect for singing together with friends and family during walks or outdoor playtime.

It’s also a great pick for spring, when fresh greenery shines, as a way to spark interest in the colors all around us.

What color do you like?Sakushi Sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu

What Colors Do You Like? Fun Characters and the 9-Color Long Version / Popular Song from Okaasan to Issho / Lyrics & Music: Osamu Sakata / Cover: Otousan mo Issho

A wonderful song that nurtures children’s sensitivity through colors.

Its friendly lyrics paint a world of color through crayons, and the heartwarming melody blends perfectly to captivate young hearts.

The song aired as NHK’s “Song of the Month” on Okaasan to Issho from April 1984 to March 1985, and is included on albums such as NHK Okaasan to Issho 50th Anniversary Best.

It was also performed at a reconstruction support event in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, in August 2011.

Ideal not only for childcare and educational settings but also for families to enjoy singing together at home.

rainbowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

Niji – Colorful Palette [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] (Hirotaka Nakagawa / Toshihiko Shinzawa)

A gem of a song by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, it gently sings of hopeful expectations for tomorrow, themed around meeting a seven-colored rainbow in the garden after the rain.

Since its release in 1990, it has been loved by many for its lyrics that depict small everyday joys and its warm melody.

In 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Kao’s “Attack ZERO,” revealing new charm alongside striking visuals starring Tori Matsuzaka and others.

It’s a tune you’ll want the whole family to hum together, especially when you’re feeling down.

Horsetail shoots are poking up.

Nursery rhyme: Tsukushi wa tsun-tsun

A masterpiece of children’s song that lets you feel the breath of nature.

Within its simple wordplay, it deftly weaves in the moment when plants sprout, offering the delight of a stroll through spring fields and hills.

More than lofty musical artistry, it’s the easy singability that has kept it beloved for many years.

It’s also enjoyed with hand motions and is widely used in early childhood education settings.

This work beautifully expresses the Japanese sense of the seasons and a heartfelt reverence for nature, making it enjoyable across generations, from children to adults.

Why not sing it together with family and friends, feeling the arrival of a nature-rich spring?