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 Songs and Hand-Play Rhymes (1–10)
There’s no such thing as ghosts.Sakushi: Maki Minori / Sakkyoku: Mine Akira
It’s a song that very uniquely expresses a child’s feelings: being scared of ghosts, yet still wanting to meet one.
First aired in 1966 on NHK’s program “Minna no Uta,” it has remained a beloved classic that continues to capture children’s hearts.
Summer is the season when we feel like listening to ghost stories, and talk of the supernatural tends to increase.
But those kinds of stories can be too scary for little kids.
At times like that, put on this song and enjoy a summery vibe without the fright!
swim goggles
This is a hand-play song that sparks imagination, inspired by peeking into the ocean world through “glasses” made with both hands.
As children search for sea creatures with hearts pounding—wondering, “What will we find next?”—they can experience the joy of discovery.
This piece is also included in the collection of songs supervised by Tanizou and released by King Records.
It could be fun to add your own original creatures while discussing, “Who will we meet next?” with your child.
Why not sing it together during indoor play on hot summer days or as a group activity at preschool?
We are little pirates!hiromichi & tanizou
This is a song that lets you pretend to be pirates, boarding a ship with your friends and setting off on an adventure across the open sea.
You can just picture the children diving into the world of the lyrics—spreading out treasure maps, working together to steer a big rudder, and having a great time.
The track is included on the album “Hiromichi & Tanizou’s Sports Day for Everyone, by Everyone, for Everyone! ~Request Best Selection~,” released in March 2021.
With its simple choreography, it’s perfect for sports days and recitals.
Why not face your friends, match each other’s energy, and enjoy a lively make-believe adventure?
Whale BusSakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Tsuyoshi
This piece is a song brimming with dreams about a giant sea creature that transforms into a bus, carrying squid and tuna on a journey to Antarctica.
The lyrics were written by Takao Ide, and the music was composed by Takeshi Shibuya, who is also a jazz pianist.
Released in June 2006 as a song on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” it has since been performed by a variety of singers.
It’s perfect for parents and children to enjoy together—swaying along to playful sound effects like engine noises and imagining where the story is headed.
Its cool, refreshing world makes it an ideal choice for indoor play during the hot summer months.
Ice Cream SongSakushi: Satou Yoshimi / Sakkyoku: Hattori Kouichi
Speaking of children’s songs in August, “The Ice Cream Song” is a must.
Ice cream that melts in your mouth tastes even better when you eat it in summer.
In the old days, only a select few among the nobility could eat it, and it seems it was a classic royal treat.
Nowadays anyone can enjoy it, but it might be fun to eat it while imagining yourself as a king.
Creepy-Crawly Sports DaySakushi sakkyoku: Koharu (Charan Po Rantan)
It’s a fun, exciting song that makes you thrilled just imagining an aquarium sports day.
The lyrics depict jellyfish and dolphins moving rhythmically, sparking children’s rich imaginations.
First released on an NHK E-Tele program in July 2018, the piece was later included as a video on Komoriuta, an album by Charan-Po-Rantan, the group to which the creator, Koharu, belongs.
Just move your body to the music and you’ll feel like you’re in an aquarium! It’s perfect for summer indoor play or parent–child time—everyone can sing and dance along with energy.
Go! Go! Pooltakeru-kun & mei-chan & takemei papa
The lyrics, which capture the excitement of heading to the pool and the fun of splashing around, are perfect for making summer memories! This work was released around the summer of 2022 by “Takemei Story,” a family YouTuber based in Shizuoka Prefecture.
It’s wonderful not only because it’s fun, but also because it cleverly adds meaningful learning into play.
Before heading out to the pool, get everyone in the family singing to boost the mood, or pretend you’re at the pool by dancing at home—let’s enjoy a lively, energetic summer!