[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!
- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
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- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
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- [Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
- Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months
- Ideas for Performances Recommended for 0-Year-Olds at Recitals and Play Events
- [For 1-year-olds] Fun Together! Recommended Songs and Hand Play Collection
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes (31–40)
Are you good at brushing your teeth?Sakushi: Enoki Fujio / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
This is an adorable song designed to make toothbrushing time fun.
Featured on the NHK educational program “Okaasan to Issho,” it has been beloved since the 1980s, with a bright, lighthearted melody that stands out.
Its upbeat tempo naturally makes children want to move, and within the show it has become established as the cue for brushing teeth.
With lyrics and choreography that make everyday habits like handwashing and toothbrushing enjoyable, it’s sure to capture children’s interest.
Just like on the show, it’s also recommended as a signal to start toothbrushing time at home.
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.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Hand play with a song everyone knows! Let’s introduce “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” It’s also one of the songs often sung as a lullaby.
How about incorporating it into your activities as a hand play this time? Imagine your palms as stars and express the sparkling, shining stars.
The choreography is easy to understand and doesn’t have any complex movements, so it seems enjoyable from infant to preschool classes.
Try adding “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to eurhythmics, morning meetings, or closing circles.
Donut SongSakushi/Sakkyoku: Makimiki
Let us introduce a fun children’s song themed around donuts, created by Makimiki! It has a gentle feel that you and your child can hum along to.
With its rhythmic, poppy melody and a charming worldview that sings about peeking at Mom and Dad through the donut hole, it’s a must-listen.
The song was also featured on Sanrio’s kids’ program “Kitty’s Paradise.” At a perfect length of 1 minute and 2 seconds for singing together while engaging with your child, it helps create a delightful bonding time with its soothing tones and heartwarming lyrics.
It’s an excellent choice for playful music time and for encouraging friendly physical contact.
Tonton Tomato-chanSakushi/Sakkyoku: Hamada Rie
The bright, rhythmic tune played on NHK E-Tele’s preschool program is truly charming.
This heartwarming melody, themed around hide-and-seek, is designed to spark babies’ curiosity—much like the peekaboo game “Inai Inai…
Baa!” Its catchy, rhythmic phrases are easy to remember and packed with fun elements that parents and children can hum along to together.
First broadcast in 2009, the song was included on albums such as “Inai Inai Baa! Bun Bun Bukyuun!” As a popular track used in the show’s mini-animation segment, it’s loved by many children.
It’s a highly recommended song for creating warm moments with your child—swaying to the rhythm and clapping along together!
[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional children's rhymes collection (41–50)
a cat’s child; a kittenSakushi / Sakkyoku: Deguchi Chikara
Blending a gentle, adorable rhythm with hand-play movements, this piece is perfect for interactive play with babies from 0 years old.
Its cat-themed, charming world broadens children’s imaginations.
Satoko Yamano’s clear, transparent vocals combined with Masashi Wakamatsu’s tender arrangement weave a heartwarming melody.
Included on the album “Columbia Kids: Parent and Child Nursery Songs—Enjoy the Rhythm and Words of Songs,” released in June 2018, it is also cherished in early childhood education settings.
By making eye contact with your child and moving hands and fingers together, the circle of communication naturally grows.
It’s recommended for morning meeting time, end-of-day gatherings, and family bonding time at home.
Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
This lively children’s song by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama captures the excitement of setting off on a trip in a big bus.
Set to a rhythmic melody, it gently portrays children enjoying pretend play with vehicles.
It’s a song you can sing while moving your hands and body, so it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces.
Long cherished in childcare and educational settings, it’s also used as a play song.
With spring outing season approaching, why not sing it together as a family before a walk or a day out? If everyone enjoys it while keeping the beat, it will surely create wonderful memories in children’s hearts.