Lovely childcare

Fun to dance! A roundup of recommended dance songs for young children, perfect for daycare and sports days

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Dance activities in daycare and at sports festivals are very important times for children!By moving their bodies to music, they can learn a sense of fun and rhythm.Choosing a special dance for the upcoming sports festival is one of the exciting parts, too.Here, we introduce recommended dance songs for young children that are perfect for daycare and sports festivals.Kids who are tuned into trends will also enjoy dancing to more mature-sounding songs.Choose dances and exercises that match the children’s preferences, and have both kids and adults get excited together!

Fun to dance! A roundup of recommended dance songs for preschoolers for daycare and sports day (71–80)

Pumpkin Cha-chaHautokun & Fuwari Oneesan

[Halloween Dance You Can Do From Age 2] Pumpkin Cha-Cha [Kindergarten, Nursery School, Sports Day, Recital, Kids Dance]

Pumpkin Cha-chaHautokun & Fuwari Oneesan

A fun, pumpkin-themed dance song that’s perfect for the Halloween season! Created by Hautokun and Fuwari Onee-san, this piece is structured so it can be used directly in early childhood settings, with choreography overseen by a dancer certified as a kindergarten teacher and nursery teacher.

With a lively tempo and simple melody, it features lots of repeated movements and clever touches that naturally make kids want to move.

Children can enjoy dancing as if they were pumpkins, making it a popular choice for Halloween parties and recitals.

The Kids Dance Channel has a video with choreography, so teachers can easily preview and incorporate it.

Dance together with costumed kids to boost the Halloween atmosphere even more!

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Haro Hallowin Win is about to start!Mori Asami

Asami Mori flies through the sky on a broom!? Dance to “Halo Halloween Win Begins!” and liven up the party! [From CDBOOK “Halloween SONGS”]

Haro Hallowin Win is about to start!Mori Asami

It’s the perfect song to kick off a Halloween party.

It starts with eerie sound effects but quickly shifts into a bright, bouncy rhythm—that contrast is part of its appeal.

The lyrics feature classic Halloween characters like ghosts, pumpkins, and witches, creating a world that excites children.

Choreography is by Asami Mori, whose expertise in gymnastics shines through in the ease of movement.

Released in September 2020 on the album “Halloween SONGS,” with lyrics by Shinpei Kaneko and music by Toshihiko Shinzawa.

Its roughly two-minute length also makes it easy to enjoy with full attention.

Dance with kids in costume, and the excitement on Halloween day will surely reach its peak.

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The Ghost Picture Book SongMizuki Nana

The Obake Picture Book Song (Vocals: Nana Mizuki / Choreography & Appearance: Itchi & Naru)

The Ghost Picture Book SongMizuki Nana

The theme song for the children’s anime Obake Zukan, sung by Nana Mizuki, is perfect for a Halloween dance.

Masayoshi Oishi wrote and composed the song, crafting a rhythmic and easy-to-remember melody.

It was released digitally in April 2020, and a dance video choreographed by popular YouTubers Icchi & Naru was also published.

The work expresses a whimsical and cute world of ghosts, offering a fun vibe that dispels scary images.

Mizuki herself commented that she aimed to create a “song you can sing and dance to together,” emphasizing a participatory sense of fun in its structure.

Dance along with kids dressed as ghosts and pumpkins, and your Halloween party will be even more exciting!

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Little Ghost-chan DanceKutsuna Mika

[Halloween Song] Little Ghost Dance / Preschool / Kids Song

Little Ghost-chan DanceKutsuna Mika

This is a Halloween dance song written and composed by Mika Kutsuna, who is also active as a Eurhythmics instructor.

A cute little ghost takes center stage, and other charming characters appear as well.

With its lively rhythm and catchy melody, it’s perfect for moving your body and having fun with kids.

The piece features an upbeat vibe and adorable choreography, and it’s available on the YouTube channel “Niko-Oto Channel.” There are both a normal tempo and a sped-up version, so you can choose based on the level of excitement you want.

Dance with children dressed as ghosts and pumpkins at your Halloween party, and you’re sure to have a time full of smiles.

Drawing on her experience creating over 200 original curricula and teaching more than 2,000 children, Kutsuna crafts her music with kids in mind.

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Onward! Pill Bug

Gymnastics: Go! Pill Bug [Preschool, Kindergarten, Dance, Gymnastics, Elementary School, Recital, Sports Day]

Onward! Pill Bug

“Susume! Dangomushi” (Go Forth, Pill Bug!) is themed around the pill bugs you often see when playing in schoolyards or parks.

It’s a song by the duo Hiromichi & Tanizou, made up of Hiromichi Sato and Kunihiro Taniguchi.

The lyrics introduce the big things these tiny pill bugs do for us, and convey a message of always staying positive and giving your best without looking back.

With its lively, cheerful melody, it’s perfect for a sports day dance! Stretch out, move your body freely, and give it a try.

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stroll

Stroll (My Neighbor Totoro) / Sister Momonao ♪ Children’s Songs ♪ Nursery Rhymes ♪

stroll

“Sanpo” is well known as the song from Studio Ghibli’s popular film My Neighbor Totoro.

It has a slow, very relaxed tempo, so it’s very easy to sing and dance to.

Swing your arms wide and walk as if you’re out for a stroll!

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Banana-kun Exercise

Banana-kun Exercise (Lyrics and Music by Toshihiko Shinzawa) [from Toshihiko Shinzawa’s “Dance! Sports Day”]

Banana-kun Exercise

I think the lively Latin style will be a hit! As long as it’s not as fast as in the video, even younger kids can do it.

It’s a very simple exercise.

Of course, adults can enjoy dancing to it too! There are lots of repeats and it hardly needs any practice, so please give it a try! It’s simple and sure to get everyone excited.

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