[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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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.

a big drumSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao

[Song] The Big Drum (with gestures) – With Mother! ★ Kids • Nursery Rhymes • Hand Play • Children • Dance

This is a hand play song you can enjoy with rhythmic choreography that mimics drumming.

Created by Junichi Kobayashi and Yoshinao Nakata in January 1955 for NHK Radio’s preschool program “Rhythm Play,” it features an appealing, easy-to-follow melody that expresses the sounds of a big drum and a small drum.

There are also cover versions by Shoko Haida and characters from “Inai Inai Baa!,” and it’s loved across generations.

The structure alternates between the sounds of the big drum and the small drum, packed with ideas that help children naturally grow familiar with music through hand play.

If you sing it while making drumming motions, you’re sure to have a great time.

soap bubbleSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Soap Bubbles – Soap bubbles flew, they flew up to the roof ~ [Japanese song/children’s song]

A classic adorned with a gentle melody that resonates in children’s hearts and lyrics that are fragile yet beautiful.

Created hand in hand by Ujo Noguchi and Shinpei Nakayama, this work left a profound mark on the history of Japanese children’s songs and continues to be loved by many today.

In a 2003 survey conducted by the NPO “Japan Doyo Association,” it was ranked ninth among favorite children’s songs and was also selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Songs of Japan.” At Yumoto Station in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, it is even used as the departure melody.

Why not enjoy a hand-play game while singing it with your child on Children’s Day? You’re sure to have a heartwarming time.

Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Bi / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

Bus Pretend Play (♪ We’re riding on a big bus ~ To our neighbor, hey!) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Children’s Song | BUS GOKKO | Vehicle Song, Eurhythmics, Nursery Teacher Exam Set Piece 2019

Since the 1970s, this piece has been cherished as a song that captures the excitement of going on field trips and off-site activities by bus.

It beautifully blends Akira Yuyama’s lively melody—winner of the Japan Children’s Song Award—with Yoshiko Kayama’s lyrics, written from a young child’s perspective.

The song is often featured at preschool and kindergarten recitals and sports days.

Singing it as if you’re riding on a bus is sure to boost children’s spirits! It’s also perfect for getting everyone excited before heading out.

tea pickingbunkashō shōka

♪ Tea Picking – The 88th Night, with summer drawing near ♪ (with gestures) [Hand play • Japanese song • Shoka]

Published in 1912 (the 45th year of the Meiji era), this piece is a song that conveys Japan’s cherished traditional culture and the beauty of nature.

It gently depicts the early-summer scenery that arrives around the 88th night of spring and the scenes of tea picking, featuring a light, approachable melody.

Its rhythmical lyrics, aligned with the motions of tea picking, also carry elements of a work song.

In 2007, it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs” by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the National PTA Council of Japan, and it has been featured in various contexts such as children’s songs, anime, and TV dramas.

While tea picking may not be very familiar to people today, why not enjoy it with your children as an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture?