Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food
“Food” is something very familiar to children, isn’t it?
When they start speaking, many first learn words like “mamma,” or they remember the names of their favorite foods.
In this article, we’ve picked out “songs about food” from among many nursery rhymes.
We’ll introduce plenty of songs that feature foods kids love, like fruit, bread, and curry rice.
Some of them aren’t just for singing—you can enjoy hand games and dancing, too.
Even children who find eating difficult or are picky eaters might enjoy singing these songs.
It would be great if singing during mealtimes helps them have more fun and eat a little more.
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Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about food (21–30)
loquatIsobe Shū
It portrays a very sweet loquat.
Both the melody and the choice of lyrics are gentle, making it feel like listening to a lullaby.
It’s a recommended song for kids who like loquats.
Shopping at the bakeryuta no mama papa
Seeing all the breads lined up at the bakery makes you excited and wonder which one to choose, doesn’t it? This charming hand-play song sung by Uta no Mama Papa captures the fun of shopping at just such a bakery.
It features a parade of breads that kids love, like sandwiches and melon bread.
The lively back-and-forth with the shop clerk makes you feel as if you’re playing store together.
First released in January 2009, the song has been included in many collections of children’s songs, such as the album “Columbia Kids: With Children! With Grandchildren! Let’s Learn and Sing – Nursery Rhymes and Play Songs.” It’s perfect for singing along with hand motions as a parent and child, and also as background music for pretend play.
If you sing it with kids who love bread, everyday snack time will become even more fun!
Potato Jaguar
From the intro, it’s exciting! Let me introduce an idea for “Potato Jaguar.” The song “Potato Jaguar” was broadcast on the TV program “Minna no Uta” from December 1991 to January 1992.
Right from the start of the track, you can hear sounds that capture children’s interest.
The lyrics are cute and the tempo is pleasant, making it perfect for kids! It could also be fun to come up with choreography together with the children.
Be sure to give it a try.
Tonton Tomato-chan
With its gentle vocals and refreshing melody, “Ton-ton Tomato-chan” is perfect as a July children’s song! Speaking of summer vegetables, there are tomatoes, cucumbers, and more.
Celebrating the tomato, which is delicious even in summer, “Ton-ton Tomato-chan” has a pleasant rhythm and is a nursery rhyme that even babies from 0 years old can enjoy.
Its comfortable tempo also makes it a relaxing song.
It’s also recommended to move your body to the music with kids while holding maracas or handmade instruments.
Have fun with it!
Sticky Samba
With its catchy tune that sticks in your head after just one listen, “Neba-Neba Samba” features melodies and lyrics that make you want to dance.
Along with the lyrics about “neba-neba” (sticky/slimy), lots of foods that evoke that texture appear.
It might be fun to imagine them and see how many you can find.
From around age two, it’s also recommended to ask questions like, “What kinds of sticky foods are there?” It could be enjoyable to include the song as part of summer food education as well.
Goodbye, ankoro mochi.
A playful wordplay centered on the traditional Japanese sweets “ankoro mochi” and “kinako,” imbued with the wish to meet again, leaves a strong impression.
By singing with hand games and gestures, it nurtures children’s creativity and communication skills.
In nursery schools and kindergartens, puppets are often used to perform it so that children can enjoy their farewell time.
Passed down for many years as a traditional song, this piece has been included in numerous childcare-related books and CDs as a teaching material that supports children’s emotional development.
It’s also a recommended song for parents and children to enjoy singing together while experiencing Japan’s traditional culture.
Takoyaki
When you think of summer, you think of festivals; when you think of festivals, you think of food stalls; and then, of course, piping-hot takoyaki…
Let me introduce the fun hand-play song “Takoyaki” that naturally brings up those associations.
Its streamlined, simple melody and lyrics, along with easy-to-understand moves you can get at a glance, make it very easy to learn—even little kids can grasp it right away, which is great.
The clever touch of letting you learn the vowels a, i, u, e, o at the end of the lyrics is also delightful.
By all means, tie on a headband and enjoy it as if you were actually making takoyaki at a festival stall!
