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 (31–40)
Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao
This song is by the much-talked-about duo of Akiko Ema, a lyricist who represents the Showa era’s children’s songs, and the popular composer Yoshinao Nakata.
It was created at NHK’s request for a piece filled with postwar dreams and hope, and when it was first broadcast on a radio program in 1949, it reportedly received an enormous response.
Although the lyrics don’t explicitly sing of dreams or hope, the beautiful natural scenery cleanses the heart and seems to naturally stir dreams and hope.
In addition, Nakata’s melody avoids dramatic leaps; it’s gentle in tone yet very memorable and beautiful.
fireworkssakushi: inoue takeru / sakkyoku: shimousa kanichi
When you think of summer, you think of fireworks—and when you think of children’s songs about fireworks, this is the one.
It was released in 1941, yet it’s still beloved by children today.
The lyrics use onomatopoeia that even kids can easily understand to describe the fireworks bursting, which is really cute.
The melody also has a festive feel, and when you hear it, you can’t help but open your hands wide and imitate the fireworks going up.
It’s a song that even preschool and kindergarten children can enjoy, so be sure to give it a listen when summer comes.
The Curry Rice SongSakushi: Tomorogi Yukio / Sakkyoku: Mine Akira
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.
Mitsuya Cider
In the hot summer, you can’t help but crave a cold carbonated drink, and one fingerplay song that’s perfect for that season is “Mitsuya Cider.” It features counting-song elements and dynamic movements, making it a great choice to sing and play with young children.
Many kids aren’t fond of fizzy drinks, but this activity might spark their interest.
Crunchy shaved ice
This is “Gari-Gari Kakigōri,” a hand-play song about shaved ice that kids love.
In the old days, we used to work hard making shaved ice by hand, but now electric machines are the norm.
With just one switch, the shaved ice is ready in no time.
It’s very convenient, but making it yourself while singing this song would surely be fun, too.
[Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August] Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs & Hand-Play Songs (41–50)
Row the boat
We’d like to introduce the hand-play song “Ofune o Koide,” which is perfect for keeping things fun and cheerful even in the hot summer.
Moving in a way that feels like you’re rowing a boat to a pleasant rhythm naturally brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
The lyrics convey scenes like swaying waves and blowing wind, letting you feel as if you’re actually out at sea on an adventure.
It also sounds fun to sit facing a friend, hold hands, and do it together! Adding a sound effect like “Splash!” between sections of the song will make it even more exciting.
Give it a try for inspiration!
The Goldfish’s Nap
The relaxed song “Goldfish’s Nap” is a popular children’s nursery rhyme.
If you sing it as a lullaby at nap time, some kids find it so soothing that they fall asleep right away.
The gentle movements of the goldfish—and the moments when it seems to pause completely—are adorable and make it feel as if the goldfish itself is napping.
The lyrics are easy to remember, so if you sing it repeatedly, children can sing along.
It’s also recommended to sing it together with a picture book that features goldfish.
