[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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[Hand Games] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-clapping songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs (41–50)
Head, Shoulders, Knees—pon!
Have fun touching your own body with “Head, Shoulders, Knees—Pat.” It’s sung to the melody of the English nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” As you sing, you play by touching the body parts mentioned in the lyrics.
If it says “head,” touch your head; for eyes or nose, you can also point to them.
After touching your knees, clap once.
First, show your child the gestures, then have them imitate you, or hold their hands and play together.
It’s also a great opportunity for them to learn the names of different parts of the body: “Oh, that’s what this is called!”
egg egg
It’s the hand game “Tamago Tamago” that gets kids excited as they wonder, “What will come out when the egg goes pop?” Using both hands to show the egg cracking, children can join in and have a great time imitating the motions.
It starts with the familiar chick, then levels up to a snake, a penguin, a monster, and more—kids will have lots of fun as the eggs keep changing! It might also be fun to ask the children, “What will be born next?” to keep them engaged.
Let’s clap our hands
“Te o Tataki Mashou” (“Let’s Clap Our Hands”) is a song where children can enjoy various movements and expressions that match the lyrics.
Because it includes expressing emotions like laughing and getting angry, you’ll see a wide range of facial expressions from the kids! If the teacher goes all-in and exaggerates the expressions, the children will feel free to participate enthusiastically.
Watching them do their best with such cute faces is sure to warm your heart.
Once they get used to it, you can switch from clapping hands to using other body parts—like feet or head—to keep singing and having fun!
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catSakushi: Yamamoto Naosumi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naosumi
The wordplay-filled song “Kobutanuki Taneko” moves along as you imitate each animal.
It’s a very simple song, but the actions that mimic the animals are so fun that kids will sing with great enthusiasm.
As they get used to the moves, gradually speed it up.
You’ll find yourself chuckling at the sight of children earnestly copying the motions.
It’s also fun to make animal ears and turn it into a full-on pretend-play activity.
This song really brings out the kids’ cuteness, so be sure to give it a try!
Story FingerSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.
By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.
Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.
Ipponbashi Nihonbashi
The finger-made bridge that transforms into all sorts of things, “Ipponbashi Nihonbashi.” Using both hands, you make each number one by one.
The numbers form a bridge, but depending on the shape of the number, it turns into things like glasses or a jellyfish.
The lyrics for one to five are the most well-known, but there are actually lyrics up to ten.
Thinking about how to use both hands to make each shape as you sing may help develop thinking skills! It’s also fun to come up with your own original ideas for what you can make with your fingers and sing along.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
“If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a song that expresses the feeling of happiness using your body.
As the title suggests, you clap along with the music to show you’re happy.
There are many variations—not just clapping your hands, but also stomping your feet, patting your shoulders, winking, and more.
You can also arrange it freely using different parts of your body.
Based on an American folk song, this piece became famous in 1964 when Kyu Sakamoto sang it.
When someone does something nice for you and you feel “I’m so happy!” try singing this song!
It fell, it fell.
This is the children’s hand-play song “Ochita Ochita” (“It fell, it fell”).
Two or more people form a circle and sing, “It fell, it fell—what fell?” Then one person says what fell.
If it’s an apple, you catch it with your hands; if it’s thunder, you cover your belly button; if it’s a fist, you cover your head.
It’s a game where you do different gestures depending on what is said to have fallen.
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.
Gramps and Grannywarabeuta
Let’s introduce a perfect traditional children’s song for gentle playtime with your baby! This piece lets you softly touch and play with your baby’s face, so you can enjoy watching their expressions change together.
It’s included on the album “Mainichi Warabe-uta from 0 Years Old,” released by King Records in August 2022, featuring the warm vocals of Emiko Kobayashi.
It’s also used in the child-rearing support activities of “Hapimoto” in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, and is loved by many parents.
Sit your child on your lap and sing while facing them gently.
By tuning in to your baby’s feelings and taking your time to connect through touch, you’ll create a fun, smile-filled time of communication.