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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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!

Popular recommended songs for daycare/school sports day! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits (141–150)

Maru Maru Mori MoriKaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.

Maru Maru Mori Mori! Video of Kaoru and Tomoki with choreography

Maru Maru Mori MoriKaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.

This catchy song, sprinkled with bright, upbeat wordplay and rhythmic onomatopoeia, is a heartwarming track that gently embraces children’s growth and everyday joys.

Its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics depicting familiar happiness resonate honestly with listeners.

Released in May 2011 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Marumo no Okite,” it marked the debut of Kaoru to Tomoki, Tamani Mook.

It reached No.

3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and also earned a spot in that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

With choreography everyone can enjoy and adorable vocals, it’s the perfect song not only as a cheer tune for sports days and athletic meets, but also for school events and any occasion where people want to get energized together.

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March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya

March “Beyond the K-Point” — Composer: Shinya Takahashi; Performance: Tokyo Ryusei Wind Orchestra; Conductor: Takao Hatakeda

March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya

A passionate and powerful wind band march adds vibrant color to any sports day.

Composed by Shinya Takahashi in 1999 as a set piece for the All Japan Band Competition, this work is named after the K-point in ski jumping.

Its charm lies in a bright, lively melody interwoven with modern harmonies that create a rich, resonant sound.

You can enjoy a commanding performance of this piece on the album “All Japan Band Competition: Reference Performances of Set Pieces 1997–1999,” recorded by the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (now the Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra) as a reference rendition.

From scenes of vigorous marching to the opening of the ceremony, this is a piece that shines in every moment of a sports day.

Just listening to it straightens your posture and gives you a refreshing urge to step forward—perfectly suited to the spirit of the event.

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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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100% CourageHikaru GENJI

Yūki 100% Hikaru Genji

100% CourageHikaru GENJI

The theme song of the anime Nintama Rantaro is packed with messages that boost energy and courage! Released in May 1993, the song was brought to fame by Hikaru GENJI and has since been passed down and performed by junior groups like Hey! Say! JUMP and Sexy Zone.

Its bright, positive lyrics and lively rhythm blend beautifully.

When you listen to it when you’re feeling down, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up a challenge, it mysteriously gives you a push forward.

It’s also perfect as BGM for sports days and athletic festivals, or as a dance track.

It’s a song that accompanies scenes where everyone works up a sweat together and gets absorbed in what they’re doing.

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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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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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Here we go!HIKAKIN & SEIKIN

TV Anime 'ONE PIECE' We Go! ~HIKAKIN & SEIKIN with Luffy Special ver.~

Here we go!HIKAKIN & SEIKIN

A lively, upbeat song has arrived to energize the Fish-Man Island arc of the TV anime One Piece! HIKAKIN & SEIKIN deliver a perfectly in-sync duet, joined by Mayumi Tanaka—known as the voice of Luffy—to sing about dreams and adventure.

This piece celebrates the bonds between friends and the passion of chasing dreams, sure to lift children’s spirits.

It’s being used as the opening theme for the anime “SPECIAL EDITED VERSION ‘ONE PIECE’ Fish-Man Island Arc,” airing from January 2025, and it fits the anime’s world perfectly.

It’s a song the whole family can enjoy, so why not spend some wonderful musical time singing and dancing along with your kids?

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