Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of exercise songs to enjoy every day

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.

The once-a-year sports day is a precious time to feel the children’s growth!

Here, we introduce recommended exercise songs for daycare and kindergarten sports days!

From warm-ups to tunes perfect for fun dances, we’ve gathered only bright, energizing songs.

Kids might feel nervous on the big day, but if they practice exercises to lively music beforehand, they should be able to relax!

We hope both children and adults create wonderful memories at sports day.

Let’s enjoy doing exercises together every day!

Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of exercise songs you can enjoy every day (61–70)

idolYOASOBI

YOASOBI "Idol" Official Music Video

idolYOASOBI

[Idol] YOASOBI 'Flag × Pom-pom × Easy Dance' — Theme song of Oshi no Ko — A dance you can do at sports festivals and performances! Second installment of the easy arranged dance!

This track was selected as the opening theme for the anime “Oshi no Ko.” It became an explosive hit and has been highly acclaimed on music charts both in Japan and overseas.

YOASOBI’s songs are hugely popular among younger generations.

This piece delves deeply into the struggles hidden behind an idol’s facade, poignantly expressing the pain of pursuing perfection while concealing true love and vulnerability.

Ikura’s beautiful vocals over an up-tempo track are especially memorable.

Released digitally in April 2023, it’s a well-known and widely loved song, making it a perfect choice for a flag dance.

It’s sure to get the kids excited!

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Sunsun Exercisedoriimingu

[Special Dance Video!] “Sansan Taiso” Dance Video featuring Kyoko Fukada and Hiroya Yamazaki ★ Movie: “Go! Anpanman: Fluffy Fuwari and the Country of Clouds”

Sunsun Exercisedoriimingu

Anpanman’s exercise number, “Sansan Taiso.” Since it’s part of the Anpanman series, which is hugely popular with young children, it’s easy to get into.

It starts with a marching rhythm—one, two, three—and lets kids have fun moving their bodies: waving their hands, stretching to the side, and twirling their arms.

Encourage them with phrases like, “Let’s move our bodies full of energy like Anpanman!” and “Spread your hands wide,” and lead the routine with big, dynamic actions to keep it lively.

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Karada DandanSakushi: Yoshida Sensha / Sakkyoku: Kosugi Yasuo

Karada Dandan [E-Tele] Lyrics: Sensha Yoshida / Composition: Yasuo Kosugi Okaasan to Issho♪ Full Choreography Version!

Karada DandanSakushi: Yoshida Sensha / Sakkyoku: Kosugi Yasuo

Known as a popular exercise song from an NHK children’s program, this piece is packed with ideas that let kids move their bodies while having fun.

Children can become sea creatures, pretend to be dinosaurs and mammoths, and move like ninjas or athletes—imaginative developments that make hearts dance.

The playful lyrics by manga artist Sensha Yoshida and the friendly melody by Yasuo Kosugi are a perfect match, sparking children’s sense of adventure.

Broadcast since April 2019 in the exercise segment of Okaasan to Issho, this song is recommended for morning workouts, pre-exercise warm-ups, or whenever you want a refreshing change of pace!

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Banana-kun ExerciseShinzawa Toshihiko

Banana-kun Exercise (Lyrics and Music by Toshihiko Shinzawa) [from Toshihiko Shinzawa’s “Dance! Sports Day”]

Banana-kun ExerciseShinzawa Toshihiko

A gymnastics number created by Toshihiko Shinzawa—an author of picture books and a singer-songwriter who continues to craft songs loved by children and adults alike, such as “Niji.” Set to a light, Latin-style rhythm, this simple piece uses the familiar theme of “bananas,” making it easy for young children to enjoy.

Watching the official video featuring Shinzawa himself, you can feel the message that it’s okay to dance freely.

We hope children will move openly and energetically, experiencing the joy that moving your body is “fun!”

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In conclusion

We introduced some great exercise songs for sports days at preschools and kindergartens.

Did you find the songs you were looking for, or exercises that the children will enjoy with big smiles? Every track will get kids moving energetically and help liven up this special event! We hope not only the children, but also parents and teachers, join in the fun and get moving together to make it the best sports day ever!