[Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
Hand-play songs that you can sing and play are hugely popular with children, aren’t they?
As times change, lots of new hand-play songs have appeared, and through these songs you can really feel children’s interests and curiosity.
Trendy songs are fun, but we also want to cherish the traditional warabe-uta that have been sung for generations.
Their melodies are warm, the back-and-forth of the words is amusing, and the fact that you can sing them without a piano is also very appealing.
This time, we’ll introduce plenty of hand-play songs that are favorites with kids!
From trending hits popular in childcare settings to traditional warabe-uta, we’ve got a full lineup of hand-play games that will bring smiles to children’s faces.
Be sure to join in and play along!
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- [Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection
- Japanese counting songs: nostalgic temari (handball) songs and children’s folk songs
- [For 1-year-olds] Fun Together! Recommended Songs and Hand Play Collection
- Baby massage song. A touch-and-play song that parents and children can enjoy together.
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months
- [Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and children! Full of ideas for childcare/early childhood education.
[Hand Play] Popular with Kids! Trendy Hand-Clapping Songs & Nostalgic Traditional Children’s Songs (71–80)
Pretty good.warabeuta
This is a delightful piece that rhythmically combines movements of the hands and feet with singing.
If you move your hands and feet to the rhythm created by the call-and-response of “naka” (inside) and “soto” (outside), both body and heart naturally start to bounce.
Playing in a circle fosters children’s cooperation and sense of unity, spreading smiles—one of the work’s key charms.
It has long been loved in nurseries and kindergartens across ages, and in April 2020 it was selected for the “Top 100 Traditional Play Activities” by the Japan National Association of Nursery Teachers.
It’s a highly recommended song for those who want to interact with children and enjoy rhythm play.
lazyboneswarabe uta
The children’s song handed down in Saga Prefecture has horsetail shoots as its theme, heralding the arrival of spring.
The lyrics call out to the sprouts as they peek up from the soil.
There are many ways to enjoy it—swaying together as parent and child or playing with a cloth, for example.
Reflecting the local culture, it is a cherished tradition passed down across generations.
It also seems to encourage interaction with springtime nature and promote rhythm and language development.
Widely enjoyed by various ages in nursery schools and kindergartens, it is a lovely song that expresses hopes for children’s healthy growth.
Spring came pop-pop-popsakushi: kozue hikari / sakkyoku: sako shinichirō
Why not sing together a refreshing song that evokes the arrival of spring? Created by Mr.
Komichi Hikari and Mr.
Shinichiro Sako, this piece features lyrics that make rhythmic hand-play fun.
The spring-themed lyrics spark children’s imaginations, and the bright melody naturally makes you want to hum along.
Since it incorporates clapping motions, it’s perfect for developing a sense of rhythm and teamwork.
Singing it at entrance ceremonies or spring events can help ease the nerves of children who are anxious about a new environment.
Be sure to sing it with your child and enjoy the coming of spring!
Horn, horn, hoooorn!Suzuki Tsubasa・Fukuda Sho
A singing game that excites children’s “I wonder what it is?” mood: “Tsuno Tsuno Tsū-no.” The choreography—swaying the ‘horns’ you make with your index fingers to a relaxed rhythm—is super cute, isn’t it? The unique lyrics that make kids think, “What will come next?” are fun and spark their curiosity, and they also seem to help them develop the ability to listen attentively.
A rapid parade of many animals appears, so children who love animals will be thrilled.
Be sure to belt out the final “None!” with lots of energy and have fun!
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Clap
The hand-play song “Atama, Kata, Hiza, Pon” involves touching different parts of the body.
It’s sung to the melody of the English nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” There’s also an English counterpart called “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” so if you’d like to try singing it in English, give it a go! The moves are very simple—just touch each body part as it’s mentioned in the song.
In the second half, you also touch parts of the face, not just the body.
Even very young children can enjoy playing along!
Let’s brush our teeth.
After eating meals or snacks, we need to brush our teeth with a toothbrush! But there are probably many kids who don’t like brushing their teeth.
This hand play song, “Let’s Brush Our Teeth,” helps even those children enjoy brushing.
You sing while making tooth-brushing motions to match the lyrics.
After the hand play, try it with a real toothbrush! The second verse is about rinsing, so when you come home from outside or before meals, listen to this song and make sure to rinse properly too!
Ehomaki, yum!gaagaaS
“Ehomaki Amu” is a fun hand-play song perfect for Setsubun.
With playful lyrics that, for example, mimic the sound of eating ehomaki, it really sparks children’s imaginations.
Because the actions involve repeatedly eating the ehomaki while facing a specific direction, kids can enjoy themselves while also developing a sense of direction.
If preschool or kindergarten teachers use it for Setsubun events, it’s sure to get everyone excited! At home, singing it together with a parent or guardian will make for a delightful Setsubun memory.