Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes
Here are nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs for August that you can sing and enjoy! We’ve got a full lineup: songs that capture the fun of summer, tunes about tasty foods you’ll crave in the heat, and songs perfect for August events.
We also introduce tracks you can enjoy with fingerplays and dances, so try using them for indoor play during the sweltering summer or for activities in childcare settings.
Many are classic summer songs that have been passed down for generations, making them perfect for family time at home as well.
Teach children summer songs and enjoy a delightful time together while reminiscing about the past!
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[Nursery Rhymes to Sing in August] Summer-Friendly Children’s Songs & Hand-Play Songs (71–80)
Oh, the ranch is green.
Let’s move our bodies to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Oh, the Meadow is Green.” These ideas are perfect for summer, when the weather is nice and the air is crisp.
They’re especially recommended if you’re thinking, “What song should we sing this month?” or “I’m looking for something with a good rhythm!” The song “Oh, the Meadow is Green” is the Japanese version of the folk song “Ach, synku, synku”/“Ach, krásná louka” (often known in English as “Ah, Lovely Meadow”), which has been sung for a long time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
By adding some choreography, you can enjoy engaging with the music even more.
Story Finger
Something kids are sure to love! Here are some ideas for “Ohanashi Yubisan.” On hot summer days, you probably spend more time indoors, right? We recommend using “Ohanashi Yubisan” as an introduction before physical play, picture books, or craft activities.
Children will be captivated by the movements and singing of teachers or parents, and their attention will naturally gather.
Another nice benefit is that they can learn the names of their fingers while playing! Give it a try.
Thunder God has arrived.
Rumble, rumble! Thunder that roars across the sky—there are probably even adults who aren’t good with it, right? If it scares grown-ups, it’s only natural that it would be scary for children, too.
People often say thunder is caused by ogres drumming above the clouds, and this song is also inspired by that “Kaminari-don” motif.
When thunder rumbles, you can play along with hand motions—like hiding your belly button—which makes it fun to sing.
It’s said you can also enjoy the song by freely adding more body parts to hide.
Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer Fun Kids’ Songs & Hand-Play Songs (81–90)
The fish jumps.
A refreshing hand game! Let me share some ideas for “Sakana ga Hanete” (Fish Jumping).
When you think of summer, many people probably imagine watersides like rivers and the sea, right? This is a unique fish-themed hand game you’ll want to use before fish-related crafts or dances.
Before starting the game, it could be fun to ask the children how they would react if a fish suddenly jumped—boing!—out of the water.
In this playful activity, fish hop onto different parts of the body and stick there, then keep transforming one after another—such a unique hand game!
Norimaki Pera Pari Ondo
The song “Norimaki Perapari Ondo,” which kids love, is a perfect summer tune and comes highly recommended for festival bon dances.
The catchy “perapari perapari” lyrics have a lively tempo that gives the intro a sense that something fun is about to begin.
The dance is simple and easy to learn, so children around age three can enjoy dancing to it as well.
It’s perfect for the summer festival season, too.
Dressing in yukata or jinbei to enjoy the festivities is a great idea.
Be sure to sing it and make it part of your summer memories.
bug-catching game
Even if you feel like you could never touch bugs now, many people probably enjoyed catching them as a matter of course when they were kids.
This song, “Mushitori Asobi,” is a recommended summer tune that lets children—and adults, too—enjoy bug-catching within the song and recapture a childlike spirit.
It was used on the popular TV program “Okaasan to Issho,” but since it’s an older song, you might try looking for the CD at a rental shop.
Only three bugs appear—dragonflies, butterflies, and a praying mantis—so it’s easy to remember, and as long as you can mimic gestures like searching for bugs and react when you spot and catch them, you can have fun dancing to it!
Yokai Shiritori
The song “Yokai Shiritori” features all kinds of yokai in its lyrics.
Listen closely to hear which yokai appear.
Since it’s structured as shiritori, you might also enjoy it as a kind of wordplay.
It could be fun to ask the children which yokai they like and work their original yokai names into the song to get everyone excited.
It’s a tune that can be enjoyed in many settings, such as summer festivals or overnight daycare events in the summer.
By all means, try creating a new yokai song together with the children.