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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Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer Fun Kids’ Songs & Hand-Play Songs (81–90)
Ganbarappa☆Ganbarūn
“Gambarappa☆Gambarūn” is an uplifting song that gives you energy in the summer.
Its rhythmic melody and lyrics make it really charming.
You’ll feel more energized as you sing, so try singing along with some hand claps.
For older and middle kindergarteners, it’s also recommended to use instruments like castanets to make it even more fun.
On hot days when playing outside isn’t possible, using instruments while enjoying the song can help the children feel more united and have an even better time together.
Potato Jaguar
From the intro, it’s exciting! Let me introduce an idea for “Potato Jaguar.” The song “Potato Jaguar” was broadcast on the TV program “Minna no Uta” from December 1991 to January 1992.
Right from the start of the track, you can hear sounds that capture children’s interest.
The lyrics are cute and the tempo is pleasant, making it perfect for kids! It could also be fun to come up with choreography together with the children.
Be sure to give it a try.
Picnic
With its lively, energetic rhythm, “Picnic” is a sprightly song that makes you want to start walking.
Ducks, goats, dogs, and pigs appear in the lyrics.
Try singing while imitating their animal sounds! If you ask the children what sounds each animal makes before singing, they’ll be able to enjoy the song more while understanding its meaning.
Since it’s a song about heading to the fun place that is a picnic, sing it brightly and cheerfully with the children.
tea pickingdōyō
Hachijūhachi-ya, which marks the changing of the seasons, is the 88th day from the first day of spring (Risshun).
On the calendar, summer begins on this day, and it traditionally served as a cue for farmers to start picking tea.
It’s said that drinking the first-picked tea (ichibancha) harvested on this day will keep you healthy and free from illness for the year.
Speaking of Japanese tea, Shizuoka—the country’s top tea-producing region—Kyoto’s Uji tea, and Saitama’s Sayama tea are especially famous.
In the fresh-green season of early summer, many of you may also know the children’s hand-clapping song that begins with “Ses-ses-se—no yoi yoi yoi,” a folk-style tune that evokes Japan’s pastoral scenery.
butterflied sardine(s)
Sardines, herring, Pacific saury, and salmon—these are common fish on the dinner table, but for some kids, is fish a “miss” on the menu? Here’s a hand-play song about butterflying fish, with a very lively “Zun-zun cha-cha” rhythm.
It’s so fun it might spark kids’ interest in fish.
And the highlight of the song is a giant fish(?) that appears at the end.
Turning that one into a butterfly cut would be quite a scene.
Find out what it is by listening to the song!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
The period from August 1 to August 7 is “Star Week — a Week to Get Familiar with the Starry Sky,” established to help people feel closer to the night sky and stargazing.
The summer night sky features many constellations, making it perfect for astronomical observation.
The children’s song Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which sings about the starry sky, actually originates from a chanson that was popular in late 18th-century France.
Beloved around the world, it’s also popular in Japan as a lullaby.
[Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August] Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs & Fingerplay Rhymes (91–100)
Watermelon-producing region
Speaking of summer, it’s got to be watermelon! That’s a classic line from way back, right? The repeating, distinctive lyrics are the secret to why kids love it.
When I see the children’s beaming smiles as they do the hand motions to this song, I can’t help but feel that a fun summer has arrived! You can enjoy it not only with hand play, but also by dancing with your whole body—together with lots of friends!
