[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)
One, two, three, four, two, five
This traditional children’s song, beloved across generations, features a simple way to play: sing rhythmic number phrases while raising and bending your fingers.
It has been featured on NHK’s children’s program Nihongo de Asobo and is popular on video-sharing sites.
The piece has been carried forward in new forms by contemporary artists such as dmg’s “Ichi Ni San Shi” and Gen Hoshino’s “Ichi Ni San.” It’s a fun song you can enjoy with parents or friends while nurturing finger dexterity and a sense of rhythm.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)
This song is charming for its friendly melody and playful lyrics that use the image of manju buns.
Born from the wisdom of keeping warm, it has been passed down across generations as a game that shares warmth and smiles.
Beyond its value as a play song, it is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, even appearing in haiku as a winter season word.
On a cold winter day, if you sing it while actually doing oshikura manju—huddling and gently pushing each other—children will surely feel not only the warmth of skin, but also the joy of time spent with friends and family.
Forehead, nose, mouth
Starting from the face—the forehead, nose, and mouth—this is a baby massage song that turns the whole body into lyrics.
While singing, gently touch your baby as if you’re telling them, “This is your forehead,” “This is your nose.” You can enjoy the baby’s adorable changes in expression while giving gentle stimulation to the whole body.
If you occasionally change the tempo, you might be rewarded with an irresistibly cute smile.
Repeating it many times will help you learn which touches your baby enjoys the most.
Squeezing rice balls
While matching the phrase “onigiri nigiri, nigirinco,” sway your hands left and right and gently squeeze your arms as you give a massage.
In the second verse, the lyrics change to “hokarinco,” so touch your own cheeks or mom’s cheeks to feel their warmth.
In the third verse, the lyrics change to “kororinco,” and you roll your body from side to side like turning over.
These varied stimuli can help promote sensory development, but if the baby’s neck is not yet stable, proceed with caution and do not push it.
[Parenting] Parent-Child Bonding! Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (61–70)
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.
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.