![[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/F2wotumxyhc/maxresdefault.webp)
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-Child Bonding! Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Nursery Rhymes (1–10)
Pom-pom ExerciseSakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki
This song is a lively, energetic tune that’s perfect for parent–child interaction play.
With a rhythmic tempo, it’s designed so you can sing along while touching different parts of the body.
Gently tapping the head or shoulders in time with the lyrics helps children naturally learn the names of body parts.
It also incorporates swaying and jumping movements, so kids can build motor skills while having fun.
It’s great for morning exercises at nursery schools and kindergartens, as well as for parent–child bonding time.
Sing and dance together with your child, and you’re sure to share a wonderful time full of smiles.
Dango, dango, they stuck together.Sakushi / Sakkyoku: Nanbu Jidō Sentā
This is a hand game called “Dango dango, they’re stuck,” where you press both hands, made into fists, against your cheeks.
You pretend your fists are rice dumplings, and the funny part is that your hands ‘won’t come off’ once they’re stuck to your cheeks.
It seems more fun for an adult to demonstrate it rather than having the child do it—saying things like, “They’re stuck, I can’t get them off—help me!” Pull with all your might, and when they finally come off, everyone can celebrate together saying, “I’m glad they came off!” It’s an easy and fun hand game you can play during the moon-viewing festival or at New Year’s as well.
Hana-chan, the applewarabeuta
This song is a very cute traditional children’s tune for enjoying close interaction with a baby.
You sing while gently touching parts of the face, making it perfect for skin-to-skin bonding.
The repeated rhythm of the short lyrics feels pleasant, and it’s appealing because even infants from newborn age can enjoy it.
It’s especially recommended for babies around 4–5 months old, and it’s said to have a positive effect on language development.
If you change the baby’s name in the lyrics, it feels even more personal.
It’s also nice to sing it during the autumn apple season.
It’s a warm, friendly song that not only nursery and kindergarten teachers can enjoy, but also parents and children together.
Horn, horn, hoooorn!Suzuki Tsubasa・Fukuda Sho
The song game “Tsuno Tsuno Tsū-no” boosts kids’ sense of “I wonder what it is?” The choreography—gently swaying horn shapes made with the index fingers to a relaxed rhythm—is adorable.
The unique lyrics that make children think, “What’s going to come out next?” are fun and spark their curiosity, while also helping them develop the ability to listen attentively.
A flurry of animals appears one after another, so animal-loving kids will be thrilled.
For the final “None!” make sure to sing it out energetically and have fun.
Cherry Mamboroketto kureyon
Rocket Crayon’s songs are popular as play-along tunes that encourage parent-child bonding and interaction among children.
Set to a rhythmic mambo-style beat, the choreography—holding hands, letting go, and sticking together like cherries—is absolutely adorable.
It’s full of simple, fun actions and clever touches that naturally bring out smiles! These songs are a big hit at nurseries and kindergartens, perfect for sensory play and expressive movement.
Singing and dancing together as a family also deepens emotional connection.
You can watch this work on YouTube and more, so it’s easy to enjoy at home too.
cleaning ragwarabeuta
This song is a hand play song that parents and children can enjoy together while interacting.
You pretend the baby’s or toddler’s body is a cleaning cloth, and gently act out motions like “sewing,” “washing,” “wringing,” and “wiping” in time with the lyrics.
With its rhythmic lyrics and simple moves, it’s easy for children to learn and they’ll soon be able to sing along.
The final wiping part is especially popular, where you hold the child’s feet and slide them across the floor.
Through this song, you can deepen parent–child bonding and nurture your child’s sense of rhythm and coordination.
It’s often sung at nurseries and kindergartens and is perfect for everyday moments of close interaction.
Which child is a good child?warabeuta
When children get together to play, do you ever wonder how to decide who’s “it” or who goes next? That’s exactly when this traditional children’s rhyme comes in handy.
You point to each child in turn in time with the rhythm, and the one chosen at the end becomes the next role—or gets a big hug—so everyone can enjoy both the thrill and the comfort it brings! It was also included on the album “NHK Nihongo de Asobo: Warabe-uta,” released in February 2007, and became widely known after being featured in segments of an educational TV program.
In dazzlingly green May, try forming a circle at a park on your walk or indoors, and enjoy the pleasant rhythm together with friends or as a parent and child.