[Children’s Day Hand-Play Songs] A Collection of Nursery Rhymes & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids to Enjoy Together

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

Hand Play: What Shall We Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper? [Picture Book Man KAI]

Another extremely famous masterpiece in the world of hand-play songs, “What Can We Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper?” In this game, you shape your hands into rock, scissors, or paper and combine them to sing about what they can represent.

Well-known examples include a snail made with rock and scissors, and a helicopter with rock and paper.

And depending on the child, they might even invent unexpected, brand-new creations.

With just these three predetermined hand shapes, imagination can expand infinitely—this is a timeless classic among hand-play songs.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Playing bus (pretend bus play)

[Hand Play] Playing Bus♪ (Maatan)

This is a fingerplay song where you can pretend to be a bus driver.

It starts with hand motions for holding the steering wheel, so you can enjoy choreography that mimics driving a bus.

There’s a part where the passengers pass their tickets along in order, giving everyone a role to play.

You could also set a destination and add the idea of the whole family aiming for the goal together.

It’s a song with unique developments, like enjoying the scenery or bumping into things.

It’s also fun to switch drivers and play again each time the song ends.

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mutō

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Panda, Rabbit, Koala

Panda, Bunny, Koala ♪

In the fingerplay song “Panda, Rabbit, Koala,” after the part where you call the animals over with a beckoning motion, you use gestures to form the three animals—panda, rabbit, and koala.

To keep the three from getting mixed up, really picture each animal and strike a clear pose.

Try speeding up the tempo or slowing it down—if you add little variations as you sing, your child will surely have fun, laugh, and follow along! Be sure to have a great time playing with these three animals!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catSakushi sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi

Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko [Song by Mama and Papa] - Okaasan to Issho nursery rhyme hand play

A hand-play nursery song by Naotsumi Yamamoto that captures children’s hearts with adorable animal sounds and a friendly melody.

The lyrics cleverly link four animals in a word-chain style, blending the fun of moving your body with hand-play choreography.

Broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and later beloved in choral versions as well, it has continued to be cherished by many parents and children.

Why not become animals together with your child, move your arms and legs wide, and enjoy a moment full of smiles?

To the Sun in the Palm of Your HandSakushi: Yanase Takashi / Sakkyoku: Izumi Taku

[♪ Song Anime] Hold Your Palms Up to the Sun (Sung by: Icchi & Naru) We’re All Alive~ ♪ [Children’s Song / Nursery Rhyme]

A wonderful song in which Takashi Yanase’s gentle lyrics and Taku Izumi’s bright melody blend beautifully, teaching us that earthworms, dragonflies, and frogs are our precious friends too.

Created in 1961 and broadcast the following year on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it quickly captured the hearts of many.

It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Dark Ducks and BON-BON BLANCO, and featured in the film “Chiisana Jumbo” and the TV anime “Sore Ike! Anpanman.” Cherished across generations, from children to adults, this work is also perfect as a hand-play song for families to enjoy together.

Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky.Sakushi: Kazumi Kazuki / Sakkyoku: Hajime Kamishiba

♪Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky [with gestures] Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky, a big, big ship 〜♪ [Children’s song / nursery rhyme]

A song that paints a large ship in the blue sky and sings of an adventure to a new world is full of charm that richly nurtures children’s imaginations.

Along with energetic calls and cheers, its uplifting message that expands their hopes for dreams will surely resonate deeply in children’s hearts.

Beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, this work shines in scenes where children sing together, such as at sports days and concerts.

Its structure, which lets children move their bodies joyfully while singing, is also a major appeal that enables everyone to have fun as one.

It is a cherished piece in childcare and educational settings.

Song of a little birdsakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi

♪ Little Bird Song (with hand motions)

This charming children’s song features a bright, light melody and adorable onomatopoeia that evokes birds chirping.

Depicting a little bird gently calling for its mother and father, it was released in 1954, and its tender lyrics expressing love for parents have warmed hearts across generations.

Many people likely sang it in nursery school or kindergarten when they were young.

In educational settings, it is often sung during May’s Bird Week.

It’s a perfect song for families to enjoy together with hand-play actions.