Lovely childcare

Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and children! Full of ideas for childcare/early childhood education.

Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Having a rich repertoire of fingerplay songs keeps children from getting bored and gives adults a sense of ease.

You can use them in many ways—while preparing for the next activity, or as a calm introduction to help children listen attentively.

Above all, children love fingerplay songs with their variety of themes and rhythms.

Adults will surely feel soothed watching little ones smile and mimic the motions with their tiny hands.

Be sure to use this article to learn some new fingerplay songs!

Popular Hand Games & Fingerplay Songs for Toddlers and Children! Lots of Ideas for Childcare (21–30)

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands ✨👏 [Pop’n Dance] Let’s dance together!

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

With its upbeat, cheerful melody and playful choreography that matches the lyrics, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is always a favorite among children.

Once they’re used to the basic dance, try exploring different variations.

Add moves even in parts that don’t say “If you’re happy, then ___,” or have the kids come up with their own ideas for the blanks.

For example, tapping their shoulders or giving a wink—these charming gestures from the children are sure to delight caregivers as well.

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egg egg

Tamago Tamago | Hand Play Video Channel “ASOBE”

egg egg

“When the egg goes pop and cracks open, what will come out?” This is a hand-play game called “Tamago Tamago” that captivates children and nurtures their imagination.

Use both hands to show the egg cracking.

If you get the children to imitate you, it’s sure to be a hit! It starts with the familiar chick, then levels up to a snake, a penguin, even a monster, which will surely bring smiles to their faces! You can also keep their interest by calling out, “What will be born next?”

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Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and kids! Packed with childcare ideas (31–40)

Playing bus (pretend bus play)

[Hand Play] Playing Bus♪ (Maatan)

Playing bus (pretend bus play)

This is a fingerplay song where you can pretend to be a bus driver.

It starts with hand motions for holding the steering wheel, so you can enjoy choreography that mimics driving a bus.

There’s a part where the passengers pass their tickets along in order, giving everyone a role to play.

You could also set a destination and add the idea of the whole family aiming for the goal together.

It’s a song with unique developments, like enjoying the scenery or bumping into things.

It’s also fun to switch drivers and play again each time the song ends.

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Hand play ‘The Flower Smiled’

The Flower Smiled – The Flower Smiled, The Flower Smiled~ (with choreography) [Children’s Song, Piano Accompaniment]

Hand play 'The Flower Smiled'

How about enjoying a hand-play activity with the children’s song “Ohanaga Waratta,” which is perfect for spring entrance ceremonies? You can make flowers with your hands and open them with a pop—it’s a very simple and cute choreography.

Playing it together with children who may be nervous in a new place, or having teachers perform it, could help ease some of that tension.

This song might also convey that kindergarten or nursery school is a fun place.

Please consider it as a performance idea.

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Horn, horn, hoooorn!Tsubasa Suzuki, Sho Fukuda

[Hand Play • Animals] Horns, Horns, Hooorn! / Tsubasa Suzuki & Sho Fukuda [Childcare/Animals/Play Song/Parenting/Children’s Song]

Horn, horn, hoooorn! Tsubasa Suzuki · Sho Fukuda

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.

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Pop the egg

[Hand Play Song] Pop the Egg | HAPIKU Channel

Pop the egg

Eggs are a powerhouse ingredient you can enjoy raw, fried, or boiled—nutritious and delicious in every form.

Some people might remember admiring their mothers deftly cracking eggs and cooking, and wishing they could try it themselves when they were little.

The song “Tamago wo Bon!” playfully celebrates eggs and is a lively hand-play tune that’s perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together.

It could be fun to ask children what kinds of dishes you can make after cracking an egg and let them answer without giving the “right” answer first.

And when someone gets it right, be sure to actually make something like a rolled omelet or pancakes for them!

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Paper puppet show of Rock-Paper-Scissors with roasted sweet potatoes

@piyopiyo_hoiku7
Is making things by hand the standard in practicums? I’m totally fine with buying them. What matters is how you perform for the children, how you communicate, and how you conduct childcare.Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Panel Theater Childcare Pape-sart (paper puppet theater)Packing
Kanata Haluka – RADWIMPS

Recommended for autumn! Here are some ideas for a paper puppet show of “Yakiimo Goo-Choki-Pa.” The traditional children’s song “Yakiimo Goo-Choki-Pa,” long loved as a hand-play activity, uses rock, scissors, and paper hand shapes to pretend to make and eat roasted sweet potatoes.

This time, let’s try a paper puppet show.

A paper puppet show (peep-show style) is a type of paper doll theater made by drawing different illustrations on two sheets of paper, sandwiching a chopstick or popsicle stick between them, and gluing them together.

It’s fun because you can change the illustration with a simple flip.

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