Nursery rhymes and play songs to enjoy with your baby. Gentle children's songs.

Rolling Eggs

[Hand play] Rolling Egg (Marika)

The hand-play song “Korokoro Tamago,” which repeats the same motions, is also recommended.

It depicts an egg rolling, a chick that hatches and walks, and a grown chicken crowing.

You show the egg by making a fist and rolling your arms, the chick by moving your index finger up and down, and the chicken by flapping your hands.

All the motions are simple, so it’s considered easy for children to imitate from an early stage.

Another appeal is that kids can enjoy moving their bodies in big, dynamic ways.

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campfire

Bonfire – Taki Bi | By the hedge, by the hedge, around the corner—it's a bonfire, it's a bonfire, burning fallen leaves [Japanese Song / Shoka]

This is the seasonal children’s song “Takibi,” a classic for autumn and winter.

Babies may not yet have a sense of the seasons, but its easy-to-sing nature and clear melody make it perfect to play as a video while you look after them.

The Bear of the Forestamerika min’yō

[River Rise] English Song 'The Bear in the Forest' (The Bear Song)

This nursery song, depicting a charming encounter in the forest, spread nationwide in 1972 when Dark Ducks performed it on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” With its humorous story and familiar melody, it warmly conveys the bear’s gentle thoughtfulness.

In October of the same year, a single was released by King Records, with a Russian folk song on the B-side.

Because it can be sung in an echo-song format, it’s perfect for campfires and kindergarten choruses! Its lively 4/4 rhythm makes it easy for everyone to have fun singing together while naturally learning the melody.

TulipSakushi: Kondo Miyako / Sakkyoku: Inoue Takeshi

Tulips (Nos. 1–3) — Lyrics by Miyako Kondo; additional lyrics and composition by Takeshi Inoue

This is one of Japan’s most beloved children’s songs, depicting a beautiful spring scene of red, white, and yellow tulips blooming in a row.

Miyako Kondo’s lyrics carry a warm message that recognizes diversity—“every flower has its own beauty”—and, together with Takeshi Inoue’s friendly melody, make it a tune that people of all ages can hum naturally.

Widely cherished in kindergarten and elementary school music classes, it was selected in 2006 for the list of 100 Best Japanese Songs.

It’s the perfect piece for when you want to feel the arrival of spring or enjoy singing with children!

a big drum

[Children's Song] Big Drum ♪ With Mother (Okaasan to Issho) Covered by UtaSuta

“Ookina Taiko” (The Big Drum) is a children’s song you can enjoy while sensing dynamics in sound.

The lyrics were written by Junichi Kobayashi, one of the lyricists who adapted “Jingle Bells” into Japanese, and the music was composed by Yoshinao Nakata, known for children’s songs like “Medaka no Gakkō.” The lyrics describe how striking a big drum makes a loud sound, while striking a small drum makes a soft sound.

When you sing it, match your voice to the lyrics: use a big voice for the big drum parts and a small voice for the small drum parts.

This helps children feel the contrast between big and small, and enjoy those changes.

Don’t forget the drumming gestures—try singing it with the motions, too!

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SAKI

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