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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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 preschoolers for childcare and sports days (161–170)

To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand

Anpanman song “Hold Your Palms Up to the Sun” dance version — razor-sharp Anpanman!

To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand

The lyrics for this song were written by Takashi Yanase, well known for Anpanman.

It’s said he came up with the idea after shining a flashlight on his own hand and feeling, “I’m alive!” The composer is Taku Izumi, a master of Japanese children’s songs.

The light, buoyant melody combined with lyrics that convey the “joy of being alive” makes kids naturally want to dance! For children to fully enjoy the song “Tenohira o Taiyō ni” (“Hands to the Sun”), it’s important that they first feel, “Isn’t being alive amazing!” If they sing with a bright voice while holding their hands up to the sun and savor the moment of realizing, “There’s blood flowing through me!” their bodies will start moving naturally.

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GeGeGe no KitaroAdo

Ado “GeGeGe no Kitaro” | Opening Video for ‘GeGeGe no Kitaro: The Generations of GeGeGe I Loved’

GeGeGe no KitaroAdo

A yokai beloved by children, too.

Many adults are also familiar with the GeGeGe no Kitaro song.

Its fun rhythm entertains kids even at a relaxed tempo.

The gentle sound of “Tanoshii na, tanoshii na” naturally brings smiles.

The lyric “Obake nya gakkō mo shiken mo nannimo nai” helps everyone feel calm and easygoing together.

And the nighttime line “Obake wa shinanai, byōki mo nannimo nai” adds to the sense that ghosts aren’t scary—you can even feel like being friends with them.

Overall, the mix of a pleasant rhythm, kind lyrics, and a touch of adventure makes you want to move your body freely and have fun.

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Norimaki Pera Pari OndoHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

[Norimaki Pera Pali Ondo ◆ Live-Action Dance Ver. / Okaasan to Issho July 2022 Monthly Song] NHK E-Tele

Norimaki Pera Pari OndoHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

The lively, festival-style song Norimaki Pera Pari Ondo, which bursts with summer festival vibes, appeared in July 2022 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.

The lyrics are by Tomomi Fujimo, and the music is by veteran composer Yasuo Kosugi, who has created numerous songs for E-Tele.

Centered on the theme of norimaki (seaweed-wrapped rolls), its catchy “pera-to pari-to” rhythm sticks in your head, and the dazzling production and characters leave a strong impression.

Yuichiro Onii-san appears as Noriko, and Maya Onee-san as Makiko, making this an irresistibly addictive tune that naturally makes you crave norimaki just by watching!

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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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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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But no loveRainy。

"Detective Conan" New Non-Credit Opening | Rainy. "But No Love" - “DETECTIVE CONAN” New Opening Movie (2025)

But no loveRainy。

Let me introduce a lively song that both adults and children can enjoy! Rainy.’s energetic dance number carries a warm feeling as it portrays young people boldly forging their own paths along with a bright melody.

Released as a single in January 2025, it was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Detective Conan.

This track is perfect to enjoy with dance performance, so why not try expressing it by dancing together as a parent and child? Experience a wonderful musical world filled with the dreams and hopes of youth together with your kids.

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