Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and children! Full of ideas for childcare/early childhood education.
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!
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Popular hand games and hand game songs for toddlers and children! Packed with childcare ideas (41–50)
I love rice balls.
I wonder what’s inside the rice balls? Let me introduce the hand game “I Love Onigiri.” It’s also nice to start with an opening like, “What filling do you all like in your onigiri?” This hand game features animals like rabbits and monkeys, so it’s likely to capture children’s interest! And what’s more, each rice ball has a surprising something inside! It could be fun to have the children imagine and answer what’s inside as an added twist.
Be sure to give it a try.
Story Finger
Let’s make a little family in the palm of your hand! Here’s an introduction to the fingerplay “Ohanashi Yubisan.” For children, family is a place of comfort and a precious source of love.
Let’s play together in a cheerful mood and see what kind of family members appear! In this fingerplay, the father, mother, older brother, older sister, and baby make an appearance.
Each one corresponds to a finger, so kids can have fun using their hands as they play.
For example, the father is the thumb, the mother is the index finger, the older brother is the middle finger, the older sister is the ring finger, and the baby is the pinky.
You use one finger at a time to act out each role—it’s a lot of fun!
Let’s have a snack!
Perfect for snack time! Let us introduce you to the hand game “Oyatsu Tabeyo” (Let’s Eat a Snack).
For children, mealtime and snack time are not just about nutrition—they are an important part of growth and learning.
They’re also a chance to communicate with parents, teachers, and friends, and a valuable time to discover new flavors and food cultures through what they eat.
Featuring a variety of foods and catchy chants, the “Oyatsu Tabeyo” hand game is perfect for creating a fun atmosphere! Give it a try!
Mr. Goldfish and Mr. Medaka
Let’s enjoy a beloved picture book story through a finger-play activity! Here’s an introduction to the finger play for “Mr.
Goldfish and Mr.
Medaka.” Let’s express this fun picture book—where the goldfish and the medaka do energetic exercises with humorous movements—through hand motions! The way the goldfish and the medaka swim is different, and each one’s characteristics are charmingly expressed through cute choreography and lyrics.
Kids are sure to get excited by these comical moves! Be sure to incorporate it into your activities.
Tanuki of Fist Mountain
Let’s enjoy Rock-Paper-Scissors at the end of the hand game! We’ll introduce the hand game “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan.” For children, hand games are an important activity where they can learn while having fun.
Through play that uses the hands, they develop finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination, so many parents and teachers may include them before and after activities.
The “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan” hand game is packed with rhythm and fun.
Its simple, easy-to-remember lyrics are another point that makes it enjoyable with children.
By adding Rock-Paper-Scissors at the end of the hand game, it’s sure to get the kids excited.
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-cat
The children’s song “Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko” is a nursery rhyme sung while playing a word-chain game with animal names.
It was written and composed by Naotsumi Yamamoto, who created many pieces of music for nursery rhymes, TV dramas, and films, including “Ichinensei ni Nattara.” Because the song repeats the names of the animals that appear in the title, it’s easy to remember, and children who are just starting to talk may be able to mimic the lyrics and sing along.
In the second verse, you imitate each animal’s call.
The quirky onomatopoeic words are likely a curious and amusing highlight for kids.
Be sure to add hand motions to match the animals as you sing!
Gonbe-san’s Baby
Gonbe-san’s Baby was created based on an American folk song.
It’s a song featuring a character named Gonbe-san—who covers his head with a tenugui and ties it under his chin—and a baby.
It depicts a scene where the baby catches a cold, and you use your hands to show actions like holding the baby and having a bright idea.
You can enjoy a unique move where, in a fluster, you end up putting a cold compress on yourself by mistake.
Once you’re used to it, try picking up the tempo.
Give this hand play a try and make the most of this familiar melody that everyone has heard at least once.
