[Children’s Songs for June] Fun finger-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes perfect for the rainy season
The rainy season makes you long for summer.
When it rains day after day, many children make teru-teru bozu and wish, “Please be sunny!”
Precisely because it’s a time when it’s hard to play outside as much as you’d like, why not have fun by singing children’s songs and hand-play songs together?
In this article, we’ll introduce children’s songs and hand-play songs that are perfect for June, the month of the rainy season.
We’ve selected a wide range, from famous songs like “Katatatsumuri” (Snail) to hand-play favorites popular with children in nursery schools and kindergartens.
Let’s change our perspective and turn a rainy day into a fun one!
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[June Nursery Rhymes] Fun Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Children’s Songs Perfect for the Rainy Season (1–10)
weather forecast
During the rainy season in June, you can’t help wondering every day, “Will it rain today?” and “Should I bring an umbrella?” At times like that, try singing ‘Tenki Yohō’ while doing a hand play activity.
There’s even choreography where you kick off the shoes you’re wearing to predict the weather as you sing, making it a song everyone can enjoy together.
Grandfather’s ClockHenry Clay Work
A timeless ballad passed down across generations to the sound of a ticking clock.
Set to a simple, familiar melody, it unfolds a moving story that portrays the bond between a grandfather and his old clock.
First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962, it continues to be cherished by people of all ages to this day.
Ken Hirai’s cover also became a major hit.
It’s a song to savor during the rainy season—gathered with family around the piano as you listen to the patter of the rain, or lending an ear to your grandmother’s reminiscences.
Pitchanponyukichan, wanwan, u-tan, kukku-
A cute song that rhythmically expresses the sound of falling rain.
It captures the excitement of a rainy day—going for a walk in rain boots and twirling colorful umbrellas—set to a lively tempo.
It was included on the March 2018 album “NHK Inai Inai Baa! Homerarechatta,” with a DVD released around the same time.
Perfect for the rainy season, it’s a tune you can enjoy singing and moving to indoors on those restless, can’t-go-out rainy days.
[June Nursery Rhymes] Fun Hand-Play Songs and Traditional Children's Songs Perfect for the Rainy Season (11–20)
Banana Parent and ChildSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
A simple song depicting a parent-and-child pair of bananas living on a southern island.
Its gentle melody conveys the bond between parent and child, and the rhythmic, easy-to-remember lyrics leave a strong impression.
After airing on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in 1982, it was included on the albums “Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album” and “NHK Okaasan to Issho 40 Years: Best 100 Songs,” winning the hearts of many.
With its bright, cheerful rhythm, it’s a song you can move your body to while singing, making it perfect for indoor fun even on rainy days.
Ideal for singing with family, or with friends at daycare or kindergarten.
Give it a try on a rainy day when spirits tend to sink.
Story FingerSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
With its bright, friendly melody, this hand-play song brings smiles to children’s faces.
It was first broadcast in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Time for Toddlers.” The gentle dialogue that likens the five fingers to family members has continued to soothe many children, as well as parents and early childhood educators.
This piece is also perfect for indoor play on rainy days! It naturally fosters fine motor skills and communication.
An ideal hand-play song for June, when rainy days are frequent.
A Rainy Day on the Ranch
Set on a rainy day at a farm, this friendly song portrays the animals having fun.
Cows, sheep, and chickens play in the rain and stroll under umbrellas, all depicted with a bright and charming melody.
Released in September 2024 as an original song on the YouTube channel “LiaChaCha,” this piece is perfect for June, when indoor play increases during the rainy season, and is a tune kids can sing and enjoy together.
It’s sure to blow away those rainy-day blues.
Snack Song
A hand-play song that makes snack time—something children always look forward to—an even more special moment.
Its short lyrics and rhythmic melody are full of charm that naturally invites clapping along.
Singing while doing the hand movements helps children learn the difference between the right and left hand and supports the development of their hands and fingertips.
This piece will bring a warm, cheerful mood not only to snack time at nurseries and kindergartens, but also at home.
It’s also recommended to sing it as part of a recreation activity on June 10, Time Day.