[Children’s Day Hand-Play Songs] A Collection of Nursery Rhymes & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids to Enjoy Together
May 5th is Tango no Sekku, known as Children’s Day, a time to celebrate kids’ healthy growth!
Many families display carp streamers and samurai dolls and enjoy special meals.
In this article, we’ve gathered recommended fingerplay songs perfect for Children’s Day.
Why not try them together with your family after the celebration?
These fingerplays are ideal for children in daycare or kindergarten, so have fun adding Children’s Day–themed twists as you play!
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Children’s Day Hand-Play Songs: A Collection of Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids (21–30)
Banana Parent and ChildSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
A simple song depicting a parent-and-child pair of bananas living on a southern island.
Its gentle melody conveys the bond between parent and child, and the rhythmic, easy-to-remember lyrics leave a strong impression.
After airing on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in 1982, it was included on the albums “Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album” and “NHK Okaasan to Issho 40 Years: Best 100 Songs,” winning the hearts of many.
With its bright, cheerful rhythm, it’s a song you can move your body to while singing, making it perfect for indoor fun even on rainy days.
Ideal for singing with family, or with friends at daycare or kindergarten.
Give it a try on a rainy day when spirits tend to sink.
bento (boxed lunch)Sakushi: Amano Chou sakushi / Sakkyoku: Ichinomiya Michiko
A classic children’s song with a gentle singing voice that nurtures table manners and a sense of gratitude.
With a bright, rhythmic melody, it conveys the importance of washing hands before meals and offering greetings with thanks.
Frequently featured in nurseries, kindergartens, and educational programs, it is used as part of food and manners education.
It was included in an album of children’s songs in September 2006 and continues to be loved across generations.
It’s a recommended song not only for children who look forward to mealtime, but also for anyone who wants to cherish gratitude for food.
[Hand Play Songs for Children’s Day] A Collection of Nursery Rhymes & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids to Enjoy (31–40)
Let’s pretend to be koinobori!
“I wonder what the carp streamers feel as they swim through the sky.” With that in mind, it’s fun to play by pretending to be a carp streamer! You can imitate their movements by yourself, line up with friends and copy them together, or combine it with counting games—there are so many ways to enjoy it.
Once Children’s Day is over, you won’t see the carp streamers again until the same time next year.
“Let’s all energetically imitate the carp streamers that will be swimming again next year!” Why not include that feeling as you bring this play into your activities?
Denden parent-and-child thumb
A hand-play song with lots of fun variations: the “Denden Parent-and-Child Thumb Exercise.” Make fists with both hands and hold them out in front of you.
To the nursery rhyme “Denden Mushi,” alternately extend your right and left thumbs and pinkies.
When your right hand shows the pinky, your left hand should show the thumb, so it might be a bit confusing at first—but take it slow and try it while singing.
You’ll go right, fists, left, and so on, but next try right-left without the fists in between, then pick up the tempo a little.
Add these variations and have fun!
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
With its upbeat, cheerful melody and playful choreography that matches the lyrics, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is always a favorite among children.
Once they’re used to the basic dance, try exploring different variations.
Add moves even in parts that don’t say “If you’re happy, then ___,” or have the kids come up with their own ideas for the blanks.
For example, tapping their shoulders or giving a wink—these charming gestures from the children are sure to delight caregivers as well.
Ipponbashi Nihonbashi
A hand-play song where you make various things with your hands using numbers, “Ipponbashi Nihonbashi.” The lyrics were written by Tonbo Yuasa, who penned many play songs, and the music was composed by Hirotaka Nakagawa, a picture-book writer and author who composes various children’s songs.
You play by forming numbers like 1 and 2 with your fingers to make a mountain, a jellyfish, and more.
In addition to the original lyrics, there are many variations, so try playing in different versions! It’s also fun to create your own original ones.
spool (of thread); winding thread; Itomaki (traditional toy spinning top), depending on context
“Ito Maki,” a nursery rhyme that countless people have probably sung over the years.
Its melody is so familiar that you can’t help but hum it no matter how much time passes.
But did you know the lyrics from the second verse onward? Fun, gesture-based lyrics like “winding thread” and “digging a hole” appear.
I think it would be wonderful if parents and children could enjoy this song together by doing hand-play along with the lesser-known verses beyond the first one!
