Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs about insects.
Don’t worry—by insects we don’t mean the kind everyone dislikes, like cockroaches, but rather the beloved ones such as butterflies, ladybugs, honeybees, and red dragonflies.
The selection includes a variety of songs: newer children’s tunes, folk songs, traditional nursery rhymes, and classic playground songs.
Many boys in particular seem to love insects, so teaching them these songs might make them happy.
Cute insect songs are also popular with toddlers, so they’re definitely worth learning.
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Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects (21–30)
Sky of my hometown
This is a song that sets lyrics by Takeki Owada—famous for works like “Tetsudō Shōka”—to a melody from a Scottish folk tune.
It was published in 1888 as one piece in the song collection “Meiji Shōka, First Series,” edited by Owada and Yoshiyoshi Oku.
It includes a depiction of “suzumushi” (bell crickets).
Many versions with different lyrics exist, among which The Drifters’ “Dareka-san to Dareka-san” is particularly well known.
ladybugSakushi: Shimizu Aki / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae
A children’s song lovingly sung by Aki Shimizu and Tsuyae Kobayashi about a small red insect.
Set to a bright, lighthearted melody, it gently portrays the charming creature with its red body and distinctive black spots.
The song is included on the albums “Kodomo no Uta 200,” “Let’s Sing About Nature!,” and in the 1981 publication “Minna no Uta: 86 Songs,” and has long been beloved by many children.
With its friendly tune, it’s the kind of song you’ll find yourself humming on a leisurely spring day while out for a stroll.
It’s perfect not only for music activities in nurseries and kindergartens, but also for families to enjoy together while experiencing the nature of spring.
Roly-poly pill bugSakushi sakkyoku/Shinzawa Toshihiko
A fingerplay song that gently portrays the cute looks and movements of small creatures was created by Toshihiko Shinzawa.
With warm lyrics and melody, it depicts encounters with the little creatures often seen in nature, making it an engaging piece that stimulates children’s curiosity.
Featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in December 2024, this work includes creative elements that let children enjoy expressing the adorable behaviors of animals through hand motions.
It can be used in kindergartens and preschools, and also serves as a tool for parents and children to bond while fostering an interest in nature.
With soothing lyrics and an approachable tune, it’s a perfect song for making happy memories during walks and outdoor play.
From “Songs of Living Things”: “Prologue,” “Song of the Cabbage White Butterfly,” “Song of the Sea Bream,” “Song of the Caterpillar,” “Song of the Grasshopper”
This work sets Rikuya Terashima’s music to poet Murō Saisei’s only poetry collection for children, “Animal Poetry,” turning it into a piece for children’s choir.
The collection contains a preface, an introductory poem, and 72 songs about various animals.
The suite uses the introductory poem as the first movement and consists of eight movements arranged roughly in the order of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The audio corresponds to the first half; after this, it proceeds to the songs “Dragonfly,” “Grasshopper,” “Duck,” and “Snow.” Each movement is a short piece of one to three minutes, featuring playful devices such as motifs that mimic insect characteristics and antiphonal exchanges between vocal parts, while also requiring passages of serene, restrained expression.
Caterpillar rolling around
It’s a children’s nursery song.
There seem to be various versions of how to play along: rolling side to side while singing with the child, rocking or lifting a baby while holding them on your lap, or having children crouch and hold onto the person in front to march together.
Also, the version sung by Akiko Yano is included on the album “Tokyo wa Yoru no Shichiji” (Tokyo at 7 p.m.).
March of the Honeybees
It’s a piece with an unknown composer to which Yasuyuki Ouchi, a children’s song lyricist and children’s literature author, wrote the words.
It is well known as a beginner practice piece for piano and Electone.
The same melody is also sung with different lyrics under the title “Puppy March.”
Orphan Hachi
This is the theme song of the 1970 TV anime “Insect Story: Hutch the Honeybee.” It describes the story of Hutch, a honeybee who is separated from his mother after an attack by hornets and embarks on a difficult journey to find her.
It’s an anime song that leaves a strong impression.
The singer, Yuri Shimazaki, was in her first year of junior high school at the time.