A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.
There are so many nursery rhymes that are popular with children!
There are songs about animals, songs about food, songs about the seasons—the themes are varied, and each song has its own mood.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of especially cheerful songs from among the most popular nursery rhymes all at once!
We’ve gathered lots of songs that will put you in a happy mood whether you listen to them or sing along.
Please sample the songs we introduce below, and be sure to enjoy listening to and singing your favorites!
A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes: songs that make you feel happy when you sing them (1–10)
skylark skylarkNEW!warabeuta asobi
In the pleasantly breezy month of May, here’s a nursery rhyme game with a springtime bird theme that we hope parents and children will enjoy at a relaxed pace.
It’s characterized by short, repeated phrases that call to the birds and depict traveling over mountains and through valleys.
You can rock your child on your lap, use your fingertips to represent hills and valleys—there’s no single right way to play! Though it’s a traditional song passed down in local communities since long ago, new audio recordings with fresh ways of singing were released as recently as March 2021, and it continues to be loved today in various forms, especially in early childhood settings.
Precisely because there’s no fixed answer, you can tailor it to your child’s age and the atmosphere of the moment—that’s the charm of this piece.
On a warm, sunny day, why not find your own original way to play together with your child?
Good morning, crayonSakushi / Sakkyoku: Taniyama Hiroko
This is a charming song where colorful crayons, awakened from their box, leap out with energy and, as if by magic, bring the breakfast table to life.
Just imagining the reds and greens turning one after another into delicious-looking foods is enough to make your stomach rumble.
Its lively, rhythmic wordplay is so fun that once you hear it, your child will want to imitate it right away! It aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in June 1987, and has been beloved by many for Hiroko Taniyama’s gentle singing voice and the delightful animation.
The song was also included on the album “Shippo no Kimochi,” released in May 1988, and continues to be cherished across generations.
Even children who aren’t morning people might perk right up if they hum along to this piece.
Gather around a delicious breakfast table and sing it together as a family!
Children all over the worldSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
Created in 1987 by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, this work is a modern children’s song that sings of grand hope—the smiles of children making even the sky and sea smile.
With simple, repeated phrases, it depicts a ripple of peace and smiles spreading across the world, leaving you feeling uplifted every time you sing it.
Released on CD in 1992 and broadcast on Fuji TV’s “Ponkickies 21,” it spread nationwide.
It’s a perfect song not only for graduation ceremonies and school performances, but also for singing together with family when you want an energy boost, or when you want to teach children the importance of peace.
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.
Haohao
It’s a famous song that was also included on “NHK Okaasan to Issho Latest Best,” released in 2001.
Above all, Haohao—the little ghost that looks like a sea angel—is just so cute! I think if someone covered it and sang it now, it could become a hit again.
The laid-back melody is easy to get into and seems perfect for a kindergarten performance.
Even just mimicking the actions to the song—smiling, crying, puffing up—is adorable.
The part where they share a biscuit offers lots of room for creativity, like holding hands with friends.
It might be a ghost song that deserves even more attention!
Halloween is not scary.Ritoru Enjeru
I want to sing with children who feel scared by costumes and Halloween events! Sometimes things you see in shadows or dark places can look like ghosts, right? It might be especially helpful to watch an animation together with children who are afraid of ghosts.
A story where something that looked like a ghost in the shadows or a dark room turns out to be a doll or a toy by mistake can be reassuring.
Singing cheerfully and energetically together with parents or teachers could help everyone welcome Halloween with a happy feeling.
Ghost Village MazeNontan to otomodachi
Let’s try singing a song themed around ghosts and mazes together with Nontan, the beloved character from picture books! From the mysterious-sounding intro, you can feel the excitement and suspense building, right? The melody is easy to remember and the tempo is comfortable to sing, so it seems perfect for kids.
The humorous lyrics expand the world you imagine in your head and are likely to spark children’s creativity! Various ghosts appear in the middle of the song, so it would be fun to play along with hand motions while pretending to turn into ghosts, too.