Lovely childcare

Popular songs recommended for nursery school sports days! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

The preschool sports day is a once-a-year event that the children really look forward to! And you can’t do without BGM to boost the excitement! Upbeat music makes the competitions and dances even more fun, and it brightens the mood of both the children and the cheering adults.

Here, we’ll introduce recommended songs for sports day.

We’ve gathered energetic tracks that lift your spirits just by listening—beloved anime songs for kids, exercise tunes everyone can enjoy, and familiar classics.

Find songs that match the theme of your sports day or class, and create a fun atmosphere!

Recommended popular songs for daycare sports days! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits (91–100)

One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

ATARASHII GAKKO! – One Heart (Official Music Video)

One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

A song that brings everyone’s hearts together! It’s a青春 (coming-of-age) cheer anthem that echoes through the gym.

Atarashii Gakko no Leaders created a brand-new song for Bourbon’s “Fettuccine Gummi” TV commercial, premiering in March 2025.

This powerful track expresses the drive to keep moving forward, and through fans’ cheers and dance performances, it brings both adults and kids together in excitement.

For the music video shoot, about 300 fans gathered to pull off a large-scale group performance in a gymnasium.

It’s a fresh, energetic, and powerful song that will lift spirits not only at graduations and sports days, but also for anyone starting a new chapter in life.

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superstarKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Superstar”

superstarKetsumeishi

This song celebrates recognizing the potential and talent hidden within yourself and letting them shine.

Its empowering message—that everyone has a unique brilliance—blends beautifully with the pop sound.

Ketsumeishi’s positive lyrics and catchy melody carry a warm, gentle push for listeners.

Released in November 2020, it was chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan.

The music video, filmed in India, also captures the song’s bright and uplifting worldview.

It’s a perfect fit as a cheer song for school events like sports festivals, and for anyone seeking encouragement to discover their true self.

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Popular songs recommended for daycare sports festivals! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits (101–110)

Heavy rotationAKB48

[MV full] Heavy Rotation / AKB48 [Official]

Heavy rotationAKB48

Beginning with a driving electric guitar and Yuko Oshima’s catchy callouts, this track stands out in idol pop for its exceptional sense of exhilaration.

Its straightforward declaration of love gives listeners a refreshing rush and stirs an irresistible urge to break into a run.

Released in August 2010, AKB48’s single, together with its music video directed by Mika Ninagawa—renowned for its vibrant, pop-infused visuals—left a lasting impression on many.

It’s perfect for moments like sports festivals and athletic events, where participants and spectators alike want to come together and get fired up.

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Playful Love Ai AiHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

[Together with Mother] Playful Love Ai-Ai ♪ | Tsukiuta | covered by UtaSta | video by UtaSta | Makes babies stop crying | Songs that make babies happy | Nursery rhymes | Children's songs

Playful Love Ai AiHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

Let me introduce a warm, cat-themed song featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Sung by Yuichiro Hanada and Maya Nagata, this piece charms with its bright, cheerful melody that depicts cats playfully frolicking together.

Since February 2025, it has been broadcast as the show’s “Song of the Month,” with the brother-and-sister singing duo transforming into cats and performing rhythmic choreography on the program.

Filled with the feelings of Hanada, a devoted cat lover who lives with five cats, this song is perfect for moving your body to the music together with your child!

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I want to ride a vehicle.Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

I Want to Ride a Vehicle♪ With Mother | With Lyrics [Babies Delighted, Stop Crying, Laughing Dance, Song, Japanese Children’s Songs] Educational/Developmental for Infants and Toddlers covered by UtaSuta

I want to ride a vehicle.Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

A lively, vehicle-themed song has arrived! Sung by Yuichiro Hanada and Tamaa Nagata, this fun melody showcases 20 uniquely charming vehicles one after another.

With its up-tempo, rhythmic style and light, friendly vocals, it’s an irresistible track that makes you want to move.

It began airing in November 2024 and is also included in the 2025 April songbook “Takaromono.” It’s a piece that children who love vehicles—and adults, too—can enjoy together.

Open your imaginations with your kids and take flight into the world of all kinds of vehicles!

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March of the RoadHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

[Okaasan to Issho] Road March ♪ | Tsukiuta | covered by UtaSta | video by UtaSta | Stops babies from crying | Songs babies enjoy | Nursery rhyme | Children's song | With choreography | Educational anime

March of the RoadHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya

A lively marching song perfect for school sports days is here! We’re excited to introduce the January 2025 “Song of the Month” from Okaasan to Issho, sung by Yuichiro Hanada and Maya Nagata.

It’s a bright track that captures the feeling of moving forward with your head held high, carried by a brisk brass and drum rhythm.

Clap along to the rhythmic melody and move your body with a big smile.

The song is also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho: Latest Best—Hyuurara Bunbun!” so you can enjoy it both at home and in childcare settings.

It’s a wonderful piece for the start of a new year, letting children and adults alike share the feeling of walking toward the future together!

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Ghost Party

Ghost Party (feat. Mana Ogawa)

Ghost Party

A fun song packed with Halloween excitement is included on the September 2020 album “Shimajiro Ages 1–2: Hit Songs.” With its bright, rhythmic melody and a delightful world where friendly ghosts enjoy a party, it sparks children’s imaginations.

The energetic vocals by Shimajiro and Mana Ogawa are another highlight.

This track is perfect not only for Halloween-season events but also for daycare and kindergarten activities, as well as family parties—any occasion where kids can sing, dance, and have fun together with their friends!

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