[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—Children’s Day, a holiday celebrating children’s healthy growth! Many families decorate with carp streamers and samurai dolls and enjoy a festive meal.
In this article, we’ve gathered some recommended hand-play songs perfect for Children’s Day.
How about trying them with your family after the celebration? These are all ideal for kids in nursery school and 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 & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids (41–50)
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.
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.
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!
It fell, it fell.
Nostalgic and old-fashioned “Ochita Ochita,” a hand-clapping song that many adults probably played with when they were children.
It’s a simple, game-like hand play where you decide how to catch what “falls,” and that’s the fun of it.
If it’s an apple, you can catch it with your hands; if it’s a doll, cradle it gently.
And when lightning falls—yes—make the gesture of hiding your belly button.
It’s fun to throw in the lightning right when everyone’s forgotten about it!
the head monk at a temple
It’s a hand-clapping song played in pairs.
While doing rock-paper-scissors, the pace gradually speeds up.
The faster it gets, the funnier it somehow becomes, and even mistakes add to the excitement.
It’s a traditional Japanese playground song that has been passed down and remains popular with children.
Parents likely know it too, making it a hand-play song they can enjoy together.
Ogre’s Pants
To begin with, the image of “Oni no Pants” seems to be strongly associated with being the strongest, and the lyrics emphasize just how strong they are.
Oni are seen as powerful, and since these are the pants that an oni wears, they must be strong too—something like that, I suppose.
It’s a song about putting on those unbeatable “oni pants” and becoming strong, but the lack of realism might actually make it more amusing.
Oni are scary, yet somehow fun; it’s a children’s song that makes kids laugh.