[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.
- [For 0-year-olds] Recommended songs for babies: A special feature on bonding play and traditional nursery rhymes
- Baby massage song. A touch-and-play song that parents and children can enjoy together.
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- Get excited! A list of popular and fun hand games that captivate children
- Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun sing-alongs
- Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and children! Full of ideas for childcare/early childhood education.
- Handkerchief and Towel Play! A Collection of Fun Play Ideas
- [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-and-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes compilation (51–60)
Vegetable Song
It incorporates cooking motions—like “kyukyu” for cucumbers and “ton-ton” for tomatoes—touches on smells with Chinese cabbage by saying “It smells stinky,” and plays with changing sounds for grapes with “booboo-boo,” offering lots of stimulating elements.
It will be interesting to see how your child reacts.
Since many vegetable and fruit names appear, it’s also recommended as an introduction to food education for children.
By repeating it, your child may find a favorite phrase, such as “ton-ton-ton.”
La-la-la daikon
Let’s pretend your baby is a daikon radish and play together.
There are two versions—grated daikon and dried shredded daikon—so you can enjoy it in two different ways.
Lay your baby on their back, sit by their feet, and interact as if you’re cooking: gently stroke and pat the baby, like you’re preparing ingredients.
The bright melody and quirky lyrics are amusing, making it a fun activity that brings smiles not only to babies but also to adults.
It’s suitable even for babies in the lying-down stage, so give it a try.
nursery rhyme massage
The nursery rhyme famous for “Ippon-bashi ko-cho ko-cho.” It’s a traditional baby massage song where you trace the sole of the foot with your finger and give various sensations—tickling, tapping, pinching, and more.
Since most people know it, you should be able to do it with ease.
At the very end, after “climbing the stairs…,” the tickle is sure to make your baby giggle.
It’s a way to connect with your baby and nurture your bond, and to pass down an old song and preserve our culture.
Please give this song a try and enjoy both.
Shopping at the bakery
This is a distinctive baby massage song that likens a baby’s face to different kinds of bread.
Gently cup the face with your hands for a sandwich, the plump cheeks are melon bread, the tiny nose is a twisted donut, and the cute ears are bread crusts—touch each part in time with the lyrics.
Occasionally give gentle pokes to the body as well, so the baby can feel which part is being touched.
Some babies may dislike having their faces touched at first, but as they get used to it, they will gradually start to smile.
[Parenting] Parent-Child Bonding! Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (61–70)
Fururira~
This is a baby massage song featuring lyrics with a rain motif.
Move the baby’s legs gently from side to side to the music, and stimulate them by expressing the intensity of the rain—like pit-pat or pouring—through touch on their body so they can feel it.
In addition to touching with your fingers, show the movement of your fingers to guide the baby’s gaze, and look into their eyes to send a clear message of love.
Looking into their eyes and touching their body helps release oxytocin—often called the “happy hormone”—in the brain, soothing both of you and wrapping you in a feeling of happiness.
Mom’s Slide
The key point of the “Mama’s Slide” baby massage song is the sliding part.
Sit your child on your lap, gently support both sides under their arms, and sway their body from side to side.
For the “stairs,” slowly bend and straighten your knees to raise and lower your child’s eye level, as if they’re climbing steps.
At the end, support your child on your bent knees and let them slide down.
When changing positions, talk to your child as you move so they don’t feel anxious.
Enjoy it at a comfortable pace that suits your child’s stage of development.
Mickey Mouse March
Set to the famous Mickey Mouse March, this is a baby massage song where you ask, “Where is your head?” After asking, gently tap with your hand and show your baby by saying, “Here it is, here it is, it’s right here.” You can do this with any body part like the tummy, cheeks, or bottom.
At the end, ask, “What is your name?” and lovingly say your baby’s name.
It might help them start learning their own name.