[Animal Song] Fun nursery rhymes popular with children
Picking out “animal songs” from popular children’s songs!
There are so many kinds of animals—dogs and cats that are popular as pets, and lions and pandas that are symbolic of zoos.
Did you know there are children’s songs that feature a variety of animals?
In this article, we’ll introduce many animal-themed songs, including the famous Inu no Omawari-san (The Dog Policeman) and Mori no Kuma-san (The Bear in the Forest).
There are also lots of finger-play songs you can use in childcare, so be sure to make good use of them.
If children become interested in animals, it might be nice to take a trip to the zoo!
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[Animal Songs] Fun and Popular Nursery Rhymes for Kids (31–40)
I Stepped on the Cat
It’s a famous tune, but no one knows which country the original was composed in.
The title varies by country, and in some places it’s sung as a song about a dog or a duck rather than a cat.
If you keep a cat, you may have accidentally stepped on its tail or something similar at some point.
Shōjōji’s Raccoon Dog Festival MusicSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei
At Shojoji, a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji school located in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, the tale of the Tanuki Bayashi—one of Japan’s three great tanuki legends—has been passed down.
Inspired by this story, Noguchi Ujo composed the song “Shojoji no Tanuki Bayashi.” A commemorative monument stands within the precincts of Shojoji.
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catsakushi sakkyoku/yamamoto naozumi
An adorable children’s song where four familiar animals are linked together in a word-chain (shiritori).
It’s also popular as a hand-play song.
Written and composed by Naosumi Yamamoto, it was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and has continued to be loved by many children.
In August 1999, a version by Masako Saito and the Suginami Children’s Choir was released, and various artists have covered it since.
Its simple, easy-to-remember melody and the animals’ distinctive sounds make it perfect for hand-play time in kindergartens and preschools!
Cute Hide and SeekSakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao
This is a gentle children’s song about a game of hide-and-seek played by adorable animals.
Hatchlings, sparrows, and puppies try their best to conceal themselves, warmly portrayed in the words of Hachirō Satō, with Yoshinao Nakada’s melody enhancing its charm even further.
First released in 1951, the piece has inspired children’s playfulness and curiosity toward animals.
The thrilling hide-and-seek unfolds in everyday scenes—gardens, rooftops, and meadows.
It’s perfect for singing with your child in fresh, green May, while thinking of the animals you might meet on a walk.
The rhythm of the lyrics and the friendly melody truly seem to express the joy of spring.
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.
[Animal Songs] Fun Nursery Rhymes Popular with Children (41–50)
Picnic
With its lively, energetic rhythm, “Picnic” is a sprightly song that makes you want to start walking.
Ducks, goats, dogs, and pigs appear in the lyrics.
Try singing while imitating their animal sounds! If you ask the children what sounds each animal makes before singing, they’ll be able to enjoy the song more while understanding its meaning.
Since it’s a song about heading to the fun place that is a picnic, sing it brightly and cheerfully with the children.
Animal Clock
A charming song notable for its timekeeping rhythm and richly characterized depictions of animals.
The clock’s tones feel like the animals’ heartbeats, giving the piece a warm, inviting quality.
While it teaches about time, its playful melody sparks children’s imaginations.
The song has also been featured on the educational program “Okaasan to Issho,” capturing the hearts of many children.
Singing it with kids who are just learning to read the clock will naturally nurture their interest in time.