Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.
If you’re wondering what to sing at karaoke with your kids—what songs you can sing together—why not try choosing some children’s songs? Nursery rhymes and kids’ songs are great because everyone from children to adults can have fun together.
We’ve picked not only the songs children learn in kindergarten, daycare, and elementary school, but also popular tunes from TV programs for young kids.
These aren’t just for children—older adults at karaoke can join in and have a great time singing along, too.
Let’s support them so they can sing without feeling shy.
And of course, it’s perfectly fine for adults to enjoy them as well!
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Children’s songs to sing at karaoke: classic and popular tunes everyone can enjoy (21–30)
paprikaYonezu Kenshi
Written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu, it was released in 2018 by the elementary and middle school music unit Foorin.
The song and dance became a huge craze and a major hit.
The somewhat nostalgic melodic development, which evokes a touch of folk music, is striking, and the children’s straightforward singing was incredibly appealing.
It’s a bright, catchy piece that’s easy on children’s ears, so it’s also recommended for ensemble performances.
The open, exhilarating melody combined with the children’s energy creates a synergistic effect that will hopefully result in an ensemble that feels like a glimpse into the world of the future!
Mysterious Pocket
When I listen to this song while I’m hungry… I get even hungrier.
It’s a tune that was also used in a Morinaga Seika biscuit commercial, and it sings about a very mysterious pocket where the biscuits inside increase every time you pat it.
I’m sure many of us wanted that pocket when we were little! These wonderful lyrics were written by Michio Mado, who also penned the well-known children’s song “Zō-san” (Mr.
Elephant).
Ten thousand feet in the Alps
Isn’t it a song many people first learned as a hand-play tune in childhood? The original is the American folk song titled “Yankee Doodle,” but around the 1960s, lyrics related to mountaineering were added, and it began to be sung in Japan as well.
Some say there are as many as 29 verses, though that’s up for debate.
It’s a great karaoke song—everyone knows it and it gets the whole group in a fun mood.
To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand
It’s a popular children’s song with energetic lyrics and a lively tempo that makes it a hit at karaoke.
As in this video, if you sing it a bit faster, it seems like everyone can get even more excited together.
In fact, the lyrics were written by Takashi Yanase, the creator of the beloved Anpanman character.
You can really feel the sense of full-on energy coming through the words, right? In 2006, it was selected by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs for the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” a list of nursery rhymes, school songs, and popular songs they hope parents and children will continue singing for generations.
What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?
Speaking of children’s songs, many of them are fun because you can enjoy them with choreography.
This song, which you can enjoy as a choreography song, also gets everyone excited at karaoke.
Of course, you can try creating your own original version, but performing something in front of the kids that you wouldn’t normally do or make in a kindergarten or nursery school gets a big laugh.
It’s fun when everyone tries it together, and even adults can enjoy it.
Mary’s lamb
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” was originally a song born in the United States, but after being imported to Japan and given a friendly Japanese translation, it became a staple as a children’s song.
In fact, it seems that the lyrics are based on an event that actually happened.
Trivia about children’s songs can also be a great way to liven up a karaoke session.
Rabbit Dance
A classic song released in 1924.
The lyrics and music are by the duo of Ujo Noguchi and Shinpei Nakayama, also known for “Shabondama.” I’ve heard that dancing to children’s songs was popular at the time.
This song, too, has a fun rhythm—and those katakana lyrics—that makes you want to dance.
If you sing it at karaoke, the kids listening will probably start hopping and dancing on their own.
It’s a children’s song you can enjoy forever.