Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes

Hyokkori Hyoutan-jimaLyrics: Hisashi Inoue / Morihisa Yamamoto ・ Music: Seiichirō Uno

Hyokkori Hyoutan Island Theme Song

It’s an exhilarating song for setting off on an adventure, with lyrics by playwrights Hisashi Inoue and Morihisa Yamamoto and music by composer Seiichirō Uno.

Its buoyant melody carries a powerful message about overcoming any hardship together with your friends.

This track is famously known as the theme song for an NHK puppet show that began airing in April 1964—some of you may have been hooked on it back then! There are many videos available with choreography, so why not use them as a reference and get moving energetically with the kids?

Let’s invite that girl and go to the beach.Sakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

Let's invite that kid and go to the sea – with subtitled lyrics [UtaSuki Video] Okaasan to Issho

It’s a song that makes your heart dance, like setting off on an adventure to the sea with friends.

The lyrics are wonderfully charming, expanding children’s rich imaginations with images of daydreaming about mermaids and pretending to be pirates! This piece was performed on NHK E-Tele’s “Okaasan to Issho,” with the audio released in March 2015, and it’s also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho Special Stage: Welcome to the Midsummer Party.” With its light, danceable rhythm, it might be perfect for lively playtime where kids can move their bodies energetically with their friends.

Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato

Swimming! Taiyaki-kun – Every day, every day, we’re grilled on the hot plate and we’re getting sick of it ~ (with actions) [Hand play / nursery rhyme]

This is a song by Masato Shimon that tells the story of a taiyaki who, fed up with its boring daily life and dreaming of freedom, runs away to the sea.

Released in December 1975, the song became a massive hit, topping the charts for 11 consecutive weeks as an insert song on the children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki.

Many listeners likely remember the taiyaki’s seafaring adventure set to a wistful melody—and its slightly bittersweet ending.

Through this piece, you can not only imagine the unique sight of a taiyaki setting out to sea, but also take the opportunity to think together with your child about the deeper question: What does freedom really mean?

Fish HeavenShibaya Hiromi

♪Fishy Paradise – “I love you,” I sardinely say to little Sayori; that’s quite a ‘tai’-rrific thing, Mr. Suzuki~♪ (with choreography)

Created to promote eating fish, this piece is a familiar tune from the fresh seafood section at supermarkets.

The lyrics feature 31 types of seafood, including Pacific saury and scallops, and convey the fun of eating fish.

It’s perfect for sparking children’s interest in fish and marine life.

After its debut in 1991, the CD release in March 2002 became a major hit, making the song widely known across generations.

Singing and dancing to it with your kids might make your time at home even more enjoyable.

Spotted garden eel!!Ryūzō Fukuda · Kazuto Ozawa

Garden Eels!! / Ryuzo Fukuda & Kazuto Ozawa (Featuring: Ryuzo Fukuda & Chisato Kawasaki)

It’s a fun exercise song that lets you pretend to be that unique creature popping its head out of the ocean sand.

I’ve heard it’s popular at preschools as a “warm-up dance.” The track was created by the unit of Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa, and Skanpo, and was included on the album “Marutto Minna no Asobiuta,” released in July 2019.

With simple choreography that gently sways the body, it can help loosen children up while building their excitement for the activities to come.

Picnic

♪ Picnic <with gestures> Let's go over the hill while whistling a tune ~ ♪ [Children's song]

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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mayumi

Report a problem

The Curry Rice SongSakushi: Tomorogi Yukio / Sakkyoku: Mine Akira

[Hand Play] Curry Rice Song ♪ <with Actions> [Children's Songs, Nursery Rhymes, Hand Play, Kids, Dance] Japanese Children’s Song, Nursery Rhymes, Fingerplay

A hand-play song popular with children, “The Curry Rice Song.” Summer is the season for curry.

Singing this song makes you crave curry, doesn’t it? What’s more, the song teaches you the ingredients and steps to make curry, so it might be fun for parents and kids to actually cook curry together while singing it.

As an aside, in the Kanto region pork is the standard meat used in homemade curry, while in the Kansai region beef is more common.

Let’s enjoy some delicious curry and power through the hot summer.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem