Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.

Hey, Kaba-kun!sakushi: nakagawa itsuko / sakkyoku: nakagawa hirotaka

[Children’s Song] Hey, Mr. Hippopotamus

With its calm and gentle atmosphere, this song was released in April 2007 as a picture book with a CD, and together with illustrations by Hiroshi Abe, a former zookeeper at Asahiyama Zoo, it became a tune rooted in children’s daily lives.

Created by Hirotaka Nakagawa and Itsuko Nakagawa, the work also encourages children’s curiosity about animals through its focus on hippos.

It was featured on the TV program Hirake! Ponkikki and has long been loved by many children.

Its relaxed tempo and melody perfectly match the laid-back image of hippos, making it great for singing along with your child.

Why not hum it happily on a spring field trip or during a visit to the zoo?

A strawberry is a strawberry.Sakushi: Kotaki Kiyomi / Sakkyoku: Fujita Taishi

Strawberries are Strawberries (Okaasan to Issho) / Kentaro Hayami & Ayumi Shigemori

This is a charming song with a bright, rhythmic, and fun melody paired with heartwarming lyrics.

It was broadcast in May 1997 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, with lyrics by Kiyomi Kotaki and music by Taishi Fujita.

The gently told story follows a protagonist who dreams of becoming a cake and, while chasing that dream, discovers their own true self—making it a song that enriches children’s imaginations.

Sung and beloved by Kentaro Hayami and Ayumi Shigemori, it was later carried on by Akihiro Sugita and Ryoko Tsumoda.

It is also included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album and has been cherished by many children.

It’s perfect for humming during walks or outdoor play, and for singing together on spring field trips or fun outings.

When sung with family, it’s sure to become a wonderful memory that shares the joy of spring.

Story FingerSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

Mr. Story Finger (🎵 This finger is Papa~) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [Children’s Song | One of Japan’s 100 Selected Songs]

This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.

By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.

Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.

Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

Bus Pretend Play (♪ We’re riding on a big bus ~ To our neighbor, hey!) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Children’s Song | BUS GOKKO | Vehicle Song, Eurhythmics, Nursery Teacher Exam Set Piece 2019

This lively children’s song by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama captures the excitement of setting off on a trip in a big bus.

Set to a rhythmic melody, it gently portrays children enjoying pretend play with vehicles.

It’s a song you can sing while moving your hands and body, so it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces.

Long cherished in childcare and educational settings, it’s also used as a play song.

With spring outing season approaching, why not sing it together as a family before a walk or a day out? If everyone enjoys it while keeping the beat, it will surely create wonderful memories in children’s hearts.

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

What shall we make with rock, paper, scissors? ♪

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.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Mary’s lamb

Mary Had a Little Lamb, sheep, nursery rhyme, children's song, Japanese song, Minna no Uta, ♬ Mary Had a Little Lamb, baa-baa sheep, Melody Line

“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.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Rabbit Dance

[With Vocals] Rabbit Dance - Children's Nursery Rhyme

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.