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! Recommended toddler dance songs for daycare and sports days (111–120)

Hardworking BoogieHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

[Okaasan to Issho October 2023 Song] “Hatarakimono Boogie” Cover

Hardworking BoogieHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

Taking off your pajamas in the morning, checking the weather forecast, jotting down notes so you don’t forget anything… It shares the little hard-working moments of everyday life set to a fun boogie tune.

With a lively, spirited rhythm, it’s a cheerful song that tells kids “working is cool.” Debuting as the Song of the Month in October 2023, “Hatarakimono Boogie” features lyrics by Morihisa Yamamoto and music by Asei Kobayashi.

Listening to this track might even make cleaning and tidying up more fun!

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Hyurara boon-boon!Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

Hyuurara Boom Boom! [Uta no Mama Papa] With Mother (Okaasan to Issho) Monthly Song Nursery Rhyme Hand Play

Hyurara boon-boon!Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

Let me introduce a song that gets everyone from kids to adults pumped up: “Hyura Love Boom Boom!” It’s a pop, happy track that’s perfect for shaking off morning drowsiness or lifting your spirits when you’re feeling low.

First performed in March 2024, the song was written and composed by Nobuhiro Mitomo.

From the intro to the very end, it stays consistently rhythmic, and with many repeated lyrics, it’s easy for children to remember.

Plus, dancing along with the energetic choreography is sure to boost your mood!

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We were born with a bang!Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

We were born with a bang! “With Mother in August Monthly Song” / cover: Kono Yubi Toomare☆ Starring: Makkun & Micchi Chorus: Arare

We were born with a bang!Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

An intro that starts with the sound of Japanese taiko drums makes a striking impression! Let me introduce “Bon! Tō umareta bokutachi wa.” Many people probably feel like listening to this song in the summer.

Popular on the show as the song for August 2025, it’s characterized by its rhythmic sounds and call-and-response shouts.

The lyrics are easy for kids to remember, making it a standout track.

Move your body to the calls and the music, and it’s guaranteed to get everyone excited! It should be easy to include at summer festivals and events, too.

It’s a song that’s fun to listen to and fun to dance to.

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Theme of the Little Monster

[Little Glee Monster] “Gao Gao All-Star” - Music Video Short ver. -

Theme of the Little Monster

Let’s move our arms and legs energetically while singing and dancing along to the theme song from “Hello! Little Monsters,” which features lots of cute monsters.

The dance is simple and easy to learn.

Also, movements like swinging your arms forward and backward can feel even more fun when you keep your face facing forward.

Because the tempo is rhythmic, it’s recommended for preschoolers, but even children from around age 1 can imitate and enjoy it! Try copying the parts you can and have fun together.

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Happy Easter

A song kids can dance to ♪ Happy Easter

Happy Easter

Let me introduce “Happy Easter,” a fun activity where you enjoy expressing yourself with big, full-body movements.

In the spirit of Easter, you’ll pretend to be bunnies and eggs.

Imitate a rabbit by jumping, and use your hands to show its fur as you really get into character.

Spread your arms wide to make the shape of a big egg, too.

You can enjoy this any day, but it’s perfect for Easter events and parties.

Dressing up as a bunny might make it even more exciting.

Give it a try and have fun!

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The railroad tracks go on forever.

"The Railroad Goes On Forever" Sung Energetically! 4-Year-Old Preschooler Uta Kuroda Sings ♪ [Popular Song from the Children's Nursery Rhyme Contest]

The railroad tracks go on forever.

This song, which sings of railroad tracks stretching on forever, gives a wonderful, hope-filled impression of moving toward the future while traveling by train with friends.

When you sing it while imagining the changing scenery—over hills and fields—it makes you feel the excitement of setting off on an adventure.

Since it first aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in December 1962, it has been loved for many years.

In 2021, the rock band Yabai T-Shirts Yasan arranged it as a commercial song for “Momotaro Dentetsu,” which became a hot topic.

How about singing it at a recital with everyone linked together like a train? Holding hands or putting arms around each other’s shoulders while singing will deepen the joy of cooperation and the sense of unity.

It’s a highly recommended piece that can bring out children’s smiles with a lively, spirited chorus.

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Exercise Together with Everyone

Shimajiro & Hello Kitty “Minna to Issho Taiso” collaborative video featuring Kumamon, Mell-chan, and Cheburashka

Exercise Together with Everyone

A gymnastics song featuring a collaboration between popular children’s characters Shimajiro and Hello Kitty.

The big, clearly lyric-linked moves make the choreography easy for toddlers to dance to—how delightful! In the official video, they gently teach the following movements, making it easy to practice and encouraging kids to give it a try.

Since it’s a gymnastics song, the content is designed to get bodies moving.

How about incorporating it into morning exercises at nursery schools, kindergartens, or at home?

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