Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months

Cute Hide and SeekSakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

Nursery Rhyme / Cute Hide-and-Seek / 36th Children’s Song Contest, Children’s Division

This is a gentle children’s song about a game of hide-and-seek played by adorable animals.

Hatchlings, sparrows, and puppies try their best to conceal themselves, warmly portrayed in the words of Hachirō Satō, with Yoshinao Nakada’s melody enhancing its charm even further.

First released in 1951, the piece has inspired children’s playfulness and curiosity toward animals.

The thrilling hide-and-seek unfolds in everyday scenes—gardens, rooftops, and meadows.

It’s perfect for singing with your child in fresh, green May, while thinking of the animals you might meet on a walk.

The rhythm of the lyrics and the friendly melody truly seem to express the joy of spring.

Song of a little birdSakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / Sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi

Kotori no Uta [Children’s Song] Lyrics: Junichi Yoda / Music: Yasushi Akutagawa / With choreography / With lyrics /

This piece, which gently captures the chirping of little birds, warmly embraces the hearts of young children.

Jun’ichi Yoda’s lyrics and Yasushi Akutagawa’s music blend beautifully to bring to life the image of small birds living in nature.

The onomatopoeic words in the lyrics spark children’s imaginations and make singing delightful.

Since its debut in 1954, this song has remained beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, making it perfect for entrance ceremonies.

It helps ease the anxiety of children facing a new environment and is sure to turn their nerves into smiles through song.

Story FingerSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

Mr. Story Finger (🎵 This finger is Papa~) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [Children’s Song | One of Japan’s 100 Selected Songs]

This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.

By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.

Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.

swirl washing machine

Swirly Washing Machine (Baby Touch-and-Play Song ver.)

A massage where you move different parts of your baby’s body in circular motions to match the movement of a washing machine.

This “Round-and-Round Washing Machine” song imagines the baby as if they were clothes being cleaned inside a washer.

You gently stroke the tummy clockwise, rotate the legs, and at the end, the parent who has been moving the baby spins together while holding them.

It’s perfect not only as a massage, but also as a song for bonding with your baby!

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SAKI

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Tulipsakushi: mado michio / sakkyoku: kusano shimpei

♪ Tulip – Tulip | ♪ Bloomed, bloomed, the tulip flowers [Japanese song / shoka]

Another song that reminds us of spring and a quintessential Japanese children’s song: “Tulips.” Its gentle melody, celebrating the spring flower tulips, makes you want to sing it every time you see them.

The way tulips grow straight and sturdy from their bulbs may even remind us of babies as they thrive.

We hope they grow up healthy and adorable, like tulips in all their vibrant colors.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Abuku-tatta

When you do baby massage to the rhythm of the “Abukutatta Nietatta” song, your little one will show such a happy expression.

While singing, gently hold your child’s legs and move them, watching how they respond left, right, up, and down.

When moving the legs, don’t shake them strongly—move them gently and slowly.

For the “munch munch munch” part, lightly touch their tummy with a motion like you’re pretend-eating it; your child will love it.

For older babies, it’s also fun to pick up the pace a bit!

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mayumi

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The Chocolate Song

It sounds like your child will enjoy joining in if you gently weave in the “Chocolate” song.

During the chocolate part, softly touch your child’s face with your fingertips.

Your warm hands will help them feel secure.

At the end, while saying the shape of the chocolate, lightly trace a simple chocolate shape on their tummy.

You can draw any shape you like—squares, triangles, or double circles.

It’s also a great idea to adjust the tempo—speed up or slow down—while watching your child’s reactions as you sing.

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mayumi

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