Let's sing together! A collection of nursery rhymes everyone knows
Nursery songs that many people have sung in day-care centers, kindergartens, and schools.
These children’s songs, passed down through generations, are still sung today in childcare settings, schools, and even senior facilities.
That said, fewer people are singing them nowadays, and some children can be found who don’t know nursery songs at all.
In this article, we’ll introduce nursery songs that everyone—young and old—will recognize.
If you’re not very familiar with nursery songs, start by listening to the ones we introduce here.
Try singing nursery songs together with your child, your friends, or your grandparents, and have fun!
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[Let’s Sing Together!] A Collection of Well-Known Children’s Songs (21–30)
Picnic Marchsakushi: Ide Takao / sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
A lively, energetic march that makes you look forward to walks and picnics! This piece, created by the golden duo of lyricist Takao Ide and composer Nobuyoshi Koshibe, is a beloved classic from NHK’s puppet show “Nikoniko, Pun.” The lyrics gently speak to your own feet, turning simple walking time into a special adventure that sparks children’s imaginations.
When you hear the buoyant marching rhythm, it feels like you’re parading across a field with everyone, doesn’t it? It’s the perfect track for pre-outing background music or for parent-child playtime.
Ho! Ho! Ho!Sakushi: Itō Akira / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
A piece marked by cheerful chants that make you want to join in without thinking.
The swaying, rocking rhythm is so much fun, isn’t it? This song has become a beloved staple of NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” with a recorded vocal version by Kurumi Kobato in August 1999.
It was also included on the album released in December of the same year, “NHK ‘Okaasan to Issho: 40 Years, 300 Songs.’” It’s a playful song that values the sound of the words more than their meaning.
Be sure to move your bodies together as a parent and child!
[Let’s Sing Together!] A Collection of Well-Known Children’s Songs (31–40)
Teacher and friendsSakushi: Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
It’s a memorable song with warm lyrics that gently support children’s hearts.
It cherishes encounters with teachers and friends and carries the hope of starting school life with joy.
The lyrics—holding hands, greeting each other—naturally bring smiles to children’s faces, which is part of its charm.
Created by Osamu Yoshioka and Nobuyoshi Koshibe, this piece is often sung in April, when new terms begin at kindergartens and nursery schools.
How about singing it together with your child during the season of entrance or advancement? You’re sure to share a heartwarming moment as a family.
One, two, three
Let me introduce the upbeat song “One, Two, Three.” The lyrics feature animals like frogs and penguins.
It might be fun to change the way you jump for each animal, adding variety to your movements as you dance.
As you sing, it turns into an energizing song that fills you with hope and courage for the future.
Try dancing and enjoying it while imagining a bright future! Adding some hand claps might make it even more fun.
Frog ChorusSakushi : Okamoto Toshiaki / Genkyoku: Doitsu min’yō
With its easy-to-remember melody that anyone can start singing right away, this piece is based on a German folk song, with Japanese lyrics written by Toshiaki Okamoto.
When you think of a round, this is the first song that comes to mind.
Because you can enter every two measures from any point, it’s easy to catch the timing to join in.
There’s only a first verse, and the lyrics are very simple, so you won’t spend time memorizing them and can enjoy singing in a round immediately.
When trying a round in kindergarten, nursery school, or elementary school, encourage the timing to come in by calling out loudly, “Ready, go!”
Story FingerSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.
By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.
Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.
Oh, the ranch is green.
Let’s move our bodies to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Oh, the Meadow is Green.” These ideas are perfect for summer, when the weather is nice and the air is crisp.
They’re especially recommended if you’re thinking, “What song should we sing this month?” or “I’m looking for something with a good rhythm!” The song “Oh, the Meadow is Green” is the Japanese version of the folk song “Ach, synku, synku”/“Ach, krásná louka” (often known in English as “Ah, Lovely Meadow”), which has been sung for a long time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
By adding some choreography, you can enjoy engaging with the music even more.