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 nursery school sports day! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits (111–120)

Happy ChildrenShinzawa Toshihiko

Happy Children (Lyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa / Music by Hirotaka Nakagawa) [From Toshihiko Shinzawa’s 40th Anniversary of Musical Activities “Nursery Song Concert”]

Happy ChildrenShinzawa Toshihiko

This song, created by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, is a bright dance track themed around the power of children’s innocence and smiles to bring happiness to those around them.

With its lively rhythm and memorable melody, it’s an easy-to-sing-and-dance-to tune that kids can’t help but hum along to.

Released in 2001, the song has been loved by many for years and is widely used in educational settings and events.

It’s highly recommended for children and adults to dance together!

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Recommended popular songs for preschool sports day! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest tracks (121–130)

Peep-peep, pao!Kimura Kaera

TV anime “Hanakappa” opening theme “Pi-Pi-Pao!” video

Peep-peep, pao!Kimura Kaera

Kaela Kimura is in charge of the new opening theme for the anime Hanakappa, currently airing on NHK Educational TV (E-Tele).

This work, filled with happiness and fun, portrays the children’s stories set in Hanahana Land through an exciting melody and heartwarming lyrics.

Incorporating memorable melodies she created in her childhood, the song is packed with Kaela Kimura’s passion for music.

Beloved as the new opening theme for Hanakappa since November 2024, it is also slated to be included in Kaela Kimura’s 20th-anniversary album, “KAELA KIMURA 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL BOX.” It’s perfect for morning gatherings at nursery schools and kindergartens, as well as for singing and dancing together with children.

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Idol Precure with You♪ Light Up!Ishii Ami, Kumada Akane, Yoshitake Chihaya

“You and Idol Precure♪” Opening Theme Song “You and Idol Precure♪ Light Up!” (Non-teleop version / textless version)

Idol Precure with You♪ Light Up!Ishii Ami, Kumada Akane, Yoshitake Chihaya

A bright, energetic, and fun-filled anime song has arrived! Sung by Ami Ishii, Akane Kumada, and Chihaya Yoshitake, this track features captivating vocals that convey the power of friendship and the beauty of music.

Its dazzling, lively melody and lyrics about smiles and sparkle will resonate with your heart.

Chosen as the opening theme for the anime “Kimi to Idol Precure♪,” which began airing in February 2025, it’s slated for release in March of the same year in two formats: a CD+DVD edition and a standard edition.

It’s the perfect song for anyone who wants a boost through music, as well as for kids who want to sing and dance together with their friends.

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Make you happyNiziU

NiziU 『Make you happy』 M/V

Make you happyNiziU

NiziU’s “Make you happy” is an irresistibly charming song with a bright, energetic melody and lyrics that are sure to make you smile.

It’s filled with a gentle wish to bring back your smile, and just listening to it warms your heart.

Released in 2020, this debut track became a major hit.

If you play it at a sports day opening ceremony or during the entrance march, it’s sure to delight not only the children but also the parents who come to cheer them on.

Let’s create wonderful sports day memories with this song!

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Ebi KanicsKeroponzu

Ebi Kanix / Keropons [Official Music Video]

Ebi KanicsKeroponzu

Keropons’ “Ebi Kanix,” which has garnered overwhelming support from children and surpassed 100 million views on YouTube’s official videos, is a song that became popular for its quirky lyrics about shrimp and crabs and its comical choreography that incorporates aerobics moves.

The dance uses big arm and leg motions, is very easy to follow, and features lots of repeated steps, making it perfect for warm-ups at sports days or for group dances.

Since it’s easy to learn, kids might practice it enthusiastically not only in front of teachers and friends, but also after they get home.

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Super Energetic ExerciseSatō Hiromichi

[Super Energetic!] 01 Super Energetic Exercises (Ages 2 and up)

Super Energetic ExerciseSatō Hiromichi

Mitsuru Sato, the 10th “Exercise Big Brother” from NHK’s Okaasan to Issho and an active fitness instructor, sings “Meccha Genki Taiso”! Starting with marching in place, it has you imitate movements of sparrows, monkeys, ghosts, and even dinosaurs, letting you move your whole body in big motions—perfect for a school sports day.

To perform your best at a sports day, a warm-up routine to get your body ready is essential.

Do the exercises along with this song, and you’ll feel loosened up in no time.

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SmileMori Nana

[Mori Nana Smile] We created and danced a sports day/recital routine that even 3-year-olds can do (kindergarten/nursery)

SmileMori Nana

Nana Mori - Smile (Music Video)

The song featured in Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s “Oronamin C” commercial that has been airing since 2020 is Smile, sung by Nana Mori.

It’s a cover of Hofdyllan’s 1996 debut single, and the original was used as the first ending theme for the Fuji TV anime Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo.

The lyrics, which teach us the importance of keeping a smile, are particularly memorable.

It’s a perfect number for a school sports day, where just watching the children do their best naturally brings a smile to your face!

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