[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection
For children, hand-play songs where they sing and interact with familiar adults and friends are so much fun.
Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes are said to have a very positive effect on children’s brain and emotional development.
It’s something we’d love to incorporate a lot into everyday life.
So this time, we’re introducing hand-play songs and nursery rhymes that parents and children can enjoy together.
From classic tunes everyone has heard to popular songs sung in daycare centers and kindergartens, there’s a lot to choose from!
Please try to find songs you can enjoy together that match your children’s age and interests.
Many of these songs have a good tempo and catchy melodies or phrases, so they’re easy to learn right away!
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[Parenting] Parent-Child Bonding! Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (71–80)
Picnicdeguchi takashi
A song that gently portrays the fun of a picnic in a meadow and warm interactions with flowers and insects, highlighted by Takashi Deguchi’s uniquely soothing vocals.
Released on an album in November 2022, it was also featured on a children’s educational TV program.
Perfect as a fingerplay song for singing and dancing with kids—ideal for activities at daycare and kindergarten, as well as family bonding time.
Since numbers appear in the lyrics, it’s also great for practicing counting!
tea pickingbunkashō shōka
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?
Chochi chochi awawa.warabeuta
Traditional Japanese nursery rhymes are a charming way to spend quality time with your baby.
With endearing hand and facial movements, look your child in the eyes and gently hold hands as you play together.
Perfect for deepening the bond between caregivers and children, this work has been featured in various educational programs and events, and its appeal has been passed down across generations.
You can play with your baby on your lap or while lying down, allowing you to adapt flexibly to their condition and mood.
With a caregiver’s gentle singing and warm touch, enjoy a delightful time filled with your baby’s smiles.
[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection (81–90)
yomogi-jōbu nowarabeuta
“Yomogi Joubu no” is a heartwarming children’s song that depicts children growing up alongside the blessings of nature.
From the lyrics about a game where kids playfully tap each other’s bottoms with mugwort and iris, you can sense old-fashioned playfulness and the wisdom of people who believed in the power of plants.
Its simple melody and lyrics are easy to remember and seem likely to spread naturally among children.
It’s perfect for singing during spring flower-viewing or outdoor activities.
If you sing while moving your body, it’s sure to bring out lots of smiles from the kids.
Singing together in a circle also makes for wonderful shared memories.
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catSakushi/Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi
A popular, fun sing-and-dance game based on shiritori.
In the second verse, you play by imitating the sounds of animals that come up in the shiritori chain.
Try expressing the animal sound impressions skillfully with hand motions.
This song game is packed with the fun of linking words in shiritori and communicating through gestures.
Can you move your body smoothly in time with the song? It doesn’t just repeat at the same tempo—both the singing and the dancing speed up.
Now, do your best to keep up with the pace!
Old Man with a BeardSakushi: Fushō / Sakkyoku: Tamayama Hidenobu
A simple and fun hand-play song, “Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan.” Using both hands in a fist shape, you act out grandpas with different features.
This song has several parody versions; the most popular is “Ton ton ton ton Anpanman,” where the grandpa is replaced by Anpanman characters.
The song ends with both hands placed on the knees.
It’s popular in childcare settings because it draws children’s attention while playing, and at the end it helps them prepare their posture and mindset for listening.
My Mixed JuiceSakushi: Gomi Taro / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshi
“Boku no Mix Juice” is a popular song from the NHK program “Okaasan to Issho.” As the title suggests, it’s a song about making a mixed juice.
You throw all sorts of things into a juicer and whirl them around.
Try doing those motions to the rhythm.
By the way, what gets turned into juice isn’t fruit or vegetables—it’s the day’s weather and events.
Whether you had a great day or a bad one, if you turn it into juice like in this song, you might feel refreshed.
Play along with your child, and try making some real juice together, too.