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 dance songs for young children for daycare and sports day (1–10)

A I U E O music

Aiueo music exercises

A I U E O music

A very bright and refreshing song, “Aiue Ongaku,” carries the meaning, “Let’s all connect through bonds that transcend the world!” The music video made waves with a collaboration between GReeeeN and LINE’s characters.

It’s a cool dance track with a touch of rap.

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A I U E O musicGReeeeN

[Dance] Aiue O-ngaku ♬ GReeeeN | Easy Choreography [For Toddlers, Kindergarten, Nursery, Sports Day, Recital] [Full Song Version]

A I U E O musicGReeeeN

Here’s a bright, upbeat song that rhythmically weaves in the Japanese syllabary and lets you feel the joy of words.

2013年4月にGReeeeNがリリースしたこの曲は、テレビ東京のアニメ『LINE TOWN』のオープニングテーマとして使用され、アルバム『いいね！(´・ω・`)☆』にも収録されています。運動会のダンスでは、子どもたちがリズミカルでポップなメロディに合わせて、音の響きを楽しみながら元気に体を動かす様子が想像できます。

Capturing the fun of communication that connects people, this piece is perfect not only for children’s dances at sports day events, but also for settings where teachers and kids sing and dance together.

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Let’s go look for Morry’s seedgaagaaS

Let's Go Look for Morry's Seed

Let's go look for Morry's seedgaagaaS

This song weaves together a fun sense of rhythm and elements of exploration that spark children’s adventurous spirits.

Let’s set off on a journey through worlds of imagination in step with the melody.

As you travel through jungles, seas, tunnels, and up into the sky, the full-body choreography is part of the charm.

Since 2018, it has been used in MOLLYFANTASY facilities, and the excitement created by gaagaaS has captured children’s hearts.

This work is being offered free of charge to kindergartens, nursery schools, and similar facilities nationwide from March to May 2025.

It’s easy to incorporate into fun childcare time or sports day practice—why not embark on an adventure to various worlds together with the children?

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Dancing is fun! A roundup of recommended dance songs for preschoolers for daycare and sports day (11–20)

idolYOASOBI

[Tried Dancing with Kids] Idol / YOASOBI — Anime “Oshi no Ko” OP — [Easy Dance Choreography]

idolYOASOBI

How about dancing to the worldwide hit “Idol”? This song was written by YOASOBI as the opening theme for the anime Oshi no Ko.

As the title suggests, it’s themed around idols, with a danceable and girly vibe.

Another great point is that there are many choreography and tutorial videos available on YouTube.

Find your favorite and give it a try!

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Friend Like Me

2019 Play Performance “Friend Like Me” — Middle-Year Class

Friend Like Me

The live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin was released in 2019.

Friend Like Me was already a popular song, but it drew fresh attention and became a hot topic when Will Smith, who played the Genie, performed it.

Disney songs are also very popular as dance numbers in kindergartens and nursery schools, so why not take this opportunity to dance to it? There’s no set choreography, so another nice point is that you can create your own moves however you like!

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paprika

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

paprika

Paprika is a song composed by Kenshi Yonezu and performed—singing and dancing—by Foorin.

It’s a familiar number for expressive activities in nursery schools and kindergartens.

The lively music and choreography are perfect for enjoying with children.

While it’s fun to learn the choreography precisely, even having one- and two-year-olds hop along to the beat is adorable.

If you’re presenting it for an audience, you might consider imitating Foorin and preparing costumes with an Asian-inspired flair.

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Standing on stageYOASOBI

Standing on the Stage / YOASOBI with howtofly Kids Dancers [Kindergarten, Nursery, Recital, Kids Dance]

Standing on stageYOASOBI

Created as an NHK sports theme song, this track carefully portrays the feeling of striving toward a dream.

It begins with innocent memories and vividly expresses the emotional changes and growth that lead up to standing on the grand stage through persistent effort.

The presence of teammates who fight alongside you is also striking.

With YOASOBI’s signature story-rich worldview, it firmly captures listeners’ hearts.

Released in July 2024, the song will also be used from January 2025 in Haruyama’s “Homerare Suit” commercial.

It’s a perfect match for scenes like children’s recitals or school sports days, supporting the spirit of taking on challenges.

It’s sure to energize kids as well.

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