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

Groovy Wakamehiromichi & tanizou

Groovy Wakame

It’s a very unique dance song that sings about wakame seaweed freely swaying under the sea.

The track is included on the children’s album “Piyo Piyo March ~ Hiromichi & Tanizō: Even 0, 1, and 2-Year-Olds Can Nail It! Sports Day & Recital ~,” released in March 2016.

Wiggle your body and stretch your arms and legs as you and your child become wakame and dance together.

This piece lets you experience the joy of moving your body while singing, making it perfect for sports days and school performances!

Sea MarchKeroponzu Puppeezu

Umi March / Keropons & Puppies (Ryuzo Fukuda & Sukanpo) [Dance]

This is a lively, march-style play song where you energetically parade with sea creatures.

It’s included on the album “Hello! Asobi-uta,” created by Keropons and Puppies, a unit born from the early childhood education field.

The choreography—twirling around while imitating sea animals, as if adventuring under the sea—is super cute! It’s perfect not only for sports festivals and school performances, but also for getting active at home.

Dancing together as a parent and child is sure to bring out children’s sparkling smiles.

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.