Nursery rhymes I want to sing in July: fun summer songs
July, the beginning of summer, is hot but such a fun season, isn’t it?
How about singing joyfully in the hot summer to blow the heat away?
To prevent kids from getting heatstroke, spending time indoors singing fun songs is also recommended!
Here, we’ve gathered classic children’s songs and ones often sung at nurseries and kindergartens.
There are songs you can enjoy with hand play, too.
There are lots of songs children love, so sing and play together and feel the summer!
You can have a great time at home as well.
Use this as a guide so both kids and adults can have fun together!
- [Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs
- [For Seniors] Speaking of July, it’s this song! A selection of tunes to enjoy the hot summer
- [Children’s Songs for June] Fun finger-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes perfect for the rainy season
- [Sea Nursery Rhymes] Fun children's songs themed around the sea
- Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes
- Children’s songs to sing on a rainy day / children’s songs with a rain theme
- [Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun hand-play songs and a nostalgic collection of traditional nursery rhymes and folk songs
- Masterpieces that color the hot season! Summer songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
- [July Karaoke Songs] Carefully selected summer classics and popular Japanese summer hits!
- A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.
- [July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer tunes perfect for the start of the season!
- Recommended summer songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era summer tunes [2026]
Nursery rhymes to sing in July: Fun summer songs (51–60)
Fish HeavenShibaya Hiromi
Created to promote eating fish, this piece is a familiar tune from the fresh seafood section at supermarkets.
The lyrics feature 31 types of seafood, including Pacific saury and scallops, and convey the fun of eating fish.
It’s perfect for sparking children’s interest in fish and marine life.
After its debut in 1991, the CD release in March 2002 became a major hit, making the song widely known across generations.
Singing and dancing to it with your kids might make your time at home even more enjoyable.
Spotted garden eel!!Ryūzō Fukuda · Kazuto Ozawa
It’s a fun exercise song that lets you pretend to be that unique creature popping its head out of the ocean sand.
I’ve heard it’s popular at preschools as a “warm-up dance.” The track was created by the unit of Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa, and Skanpo, and was included on the album “Marutto Minna no Asobiuta,” released in July 2019.
With simple choreography that gently sways the body, it can help loosen children up while building their excitement for the activities to come.
To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand
Since it was featured on Minna no Uta in 1962, “Tenohira wo Taiyou ni” has been beloved by many children.
The lyrics were written by Takashi Yanase, with the music crafted by Mariko Miyagi.
The words, which portray the mystery and vitality of life, are sure to energize both singers and listeners.
Another charm of the song is how easy it is to add simple choreography that matches the lyrics, such as raising your hands or mimicking animals.
Adding movement while singing can help you immerse yourself even more in the world of the song.
Hū-lala hoaloha lā~Sakushi sakkyoku: Ishikawa Yumi
A song about the sea—especially one that captures the vibe of a tropical beach—is “Fūlala Hoaloha Lā.” The “Hula” in the title refers to hula dancing, and “Hoaloha Lā” means “friends.” The lyrics humorously portray various sea creatures, making you excited to hear which animal will appear next.
Another major appeal is its warm worldview that emphasizes “getting along with all kinds of creatures.”
Nursery rhymes to sing in July: Fun summer songs (61–70)
Row the boat
We’d like to introduce the hand-play song “Ofune o Koide,” which is perfect for keeping things fun and cheerful even in the hot summer.
Moving in a way that feels like you’re rowing a boat to a pleasant rhythm naturally brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
The lyrics convey scenes like swaying waves and blowing wind, letting you feel as if you’re actually out at sea on an adventure.
It also sounds fun to sit facing a friend, hold hands, and do it together! Adding a sound effect like “Splash!” between sections of the song will make it even more exciting.
Give it a try for inspiration!
When the Dock (Japanese knotweed) blooms
Let me introduce “When the Dock Blooms,” a song with a gentle melody and a bright tempo.
It’s a song about a flower called sukanpo (dock) that blooms in spring.
This warm children’s song evokes nostalgia, depicting children playing happily and energetically in the fields.
Because it includes repeated phrases that help you feel the season, even children around two years old can enjoy joining in.
Of course, it’s also a soothing piece for babies from 0 years old to listen to.
Be sure to try singing it with your children.
Water Gun Song
Let me introduce a fingerplay for “The Water Gun Song,” perfect for water play or before getting into the pool.
This lively song lets kids feel the unique fun and sense of freedom of summertime water play.
The motion of pretending your fingers are a water gun and going “pew-pew” helps develop fingertip dexterity, imagination, and a sense of rhythm.
The tempo is slow, so even younger children can enjoy joining in.
Various plants and flowers like dahlias and maple leaves appear in the song, so showing real examples or photos may help children picture them more easily.
It’s also fun to swap in familiar plants and playground equipment from your schoolyard into the lyrics.
Give it a try!