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

Sports Day Dance: Magic of SmilesŌhara Yuiko

“The Magic of Smiles (Hanakappa Theme Song)” by Yuiko Ohara: ‘Easy Dance for Ages 2 and Up.’ A simple arranged dance perfect for recitals and sports days!

It’s “Egao no Mahou,” known as the opening song for the anime Hanakappa.

The lyrics, which let you picture everyone smiling together, make you feel warm and gentle when you listen.

The melody is bright too, and it’s popular as a children’s dance song.

Since many childcare facilities hold sports days in the fall, how about performing a dance to this song? As you’d expect from its popularity, there are lots of choreography videos available.

Try dancing with pom-poms or in matching outfits!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

[Warm-up Exercise] A-I-U-E-O CalisthenicsGReeeeN

Tried dancing the sports day exercise!! (Aiueo Music)

How about incorporating this song into warm-up exercises for the sports day? It’s “Aiueo Ongaku♬” by GReeeeN.

It’s a bit of a bargain of a track that lets kids move their bodies while also touching on the Japanese syllabary.

There’s an official dance available, but for warm-ups, it’s also a good idea to include choreography that helps stretch more thoroughly.

Rotate the neck, swing the arms, reach with the hands, and jump.

Think about ways to move the body so everyone can get through the events that follow without injuries.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Mischief Monster: Kaboom!hiromichi & tanizou

Mischievous Monster Boom [Kids Dance Channel] – Playtime, Sports Day, Kindergarten, Nursery School, Elementary School

The lively song by Hiromichi & Tanizō brilliantly captures children’s energetic spirit.

With choreography that has them become mischievous little monsters—jumping and shouting loudly—it draws out kids’ boundless energy.

Released in March 2019, the track is included on the album “Hiromichi & Tanizō’s Paradise Sports Day!” and is popular at sports days and events.

Its upbeat rhythm and catchy tempo are perfect for improving children’s physical stamina and sense of rhythm.

If teachers and parents join in the dancing, it’s sure to create a wonderful time filled with smiles!

Advance! Pill Bugsakushi: satou hiromichi, taniguchi kunihiro/ sakkyoku: honda youichirou

Gymnastics: Go! Pill Bug [Preschool, Kindergarten, Dance, Gymnastics, Elementary School, Recital, Sports Day]

This is a lively, rhythmic exercise song themed around pill bugs, familiar little creatures to children.

The choreography expresses the slow movements of pill bugs and is designed so kids can enjoy moving their bodies.

It was included on the 2011 album “Hiromichi & Tanizou’s Sports Day: Let’s Go Big!” and is widely used in nursery schools and kindergartens.

A related picture book, “Pill Bug, Fight!,” has also been released and is used as a parent-child learning resource.

This song encourages children to take an interest in nature and insects while having fun moving, making it recommended for sports days, dance activities, and events.

Animal Exercises 1-2-3okazaki hiromi

[Gymnastics] Animal Exercises 1, 2, 3♪

“Animal Exercise 1-2-3” is a fun exercise song that incorporates movements inspired by animals kids love.

By mimicking distinctive actions—like a rabbit’s hop-hop or an elephant’s stomp-stomp—children can move their bodies while having a great time.

Released in 2006, the song is widely used at kindergartens and nursery schools for sports days and daily exercise time.

Through animal movements, it naturally gets kids active, fostering rhythm and motor skills while also deepening their affection for animals.

It’s a wonderful track, perfect for times when everyone wants to move their bodies and have fun together.

POKÉDANCEnanahira

[Official] “POKÉDANCE” Dance Practice by ENHYPEN — featuring partner Pokémon from past generations dancing

This song is a fun, danceable track bursting with the charm of Pokémon and their friends.

Its bright, bouncy rhythm and catchy melody are memorable—you’ll find yourself humming along before you know it.

The video pairs Nanahira’s cute vocals perfectly with the Pokémon’s dance, and just watching it is enough to lift your spirits.

Released on the official Pokémon YouTube channel, it quickly became a hot topic.

A collaborative dance video with the K-pop group ENHYPEN has also been released, drawing attention from a wide audience.

It would be a great addition to school sports day routines—kids are sure to love it!

Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

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

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.