Get excited! A list of popular and fun hand games that captivate children

Story Finger

Onii-san Yoshi's 'Mr. Story Finger'

Let’s make a little family in the palm of your hand! Here’s an introduction to the fingerplay “Ohanashi Yubisan.” For children, family is a place of comfort and a precious source of love.

Let’s play together in a cheerful mood and see what kind of family members appear! In this fingerplay, the father, mother, older brother, older sister, and baby make an appearance.

Each one corresponds to a finger, so kids can have fun using their hands as they play.

For example, the father is the thumb, the mother is the index finger, the older brother is the middle finger, the older sister is the ring finger, and the baby is the pinky.

You use one finger at a time to act out each role—it’s a lot of fun!

greengrocer’s shop

Greengrocer Shop | A Preschool Teacher Demonstrates a Recommended Fingerplay Song Before Lunch

Let’s explore lots of words through a fun, rhythmic hand game.

The teacher asks about the names of various things in time with a song, and the children quickly answer “Yes, it is” or “No, it isn’t” while imagining whether each item would be found at a greengrocer’s.

You can expand the game endlessly by changing the setting—not just a greengrocer, but also a bakery, a zoo, a florist, a convenience store, and more.

It gets even more exciting if you gradually speed up the tempo or throw in some trick questions.

Doing it before lunch could even tie into food education.

There’s no preparation needed, and you can enjoy it like a quick game anywhere, so try it with the children!

Let’s have a snack!

[Hand Play] Let's Eat a Snack ♬ <With Movements>

Perfect for snack time! Let us introduce you to the hand game “Oyatsu Tabeyo” (Let’s Eat a Snack).

For children, mealtime and snack time are not just about nutrition—they are an important part of growth and learning.

They’re also a chance to communicate with parents, teachers, and friends, and a valuable time to discover new flavors and food cultures through what they eat.

Featuring a variety of foods and catchy chants, the “Oyatsu Tabeyo” hand game is perfect for creating a fun atmosphere! Give it a try!

The fish jumps.

[Summer classic! Hand-play song] The Fish Jumps

“Sakana ga Hanete” is a classic hand-play song that kids love.

Besides moving their hands to the music, you can adapt it to check for forgotten items using familiar things like hats, masks, and gloves.

You can also swap “stuck to the head” for a ribbon, crown, or straw hat; “stuck to the eyes” for sunglasses or a telescope—or goggles on pool days.

Incorporate seasonal items too to boost the children’s excitement.

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Peekaboo! Wow!

[Hand Play/Nursery] Peekaboo, Wow! / Tsubasa Suzuki & Sho Fukuda [Play Song/Childcare]

Let’s enjoy a variety of cheerful “Good morning” greetings! Here’s a hand game from “Peek-a-boo, Wow!” to try.

“Good morning” is an important greeting that marks the start of the day, isn’t it? Many people feel they can kick off their day with energy just by hearing these words.

The charm of this hand game is that you can express a lively “Good morning” with clapping and body movements! Through the hand game and the “Good morning” greeting, you’ll be able to spend each day with a positive mindset.

It’s a perfect activity for morning circle time!

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beard

[Finger Play] Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan (with gestures) [Takashi’s Hand Play & Children’s Songs] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

Clench your hands and let’s play! We’re introducing the hand game “Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan.” Many parents and teachers have loved this game since they were little, so it might sound familiar to you, too.

Try playing it with children! It’s fun to clench your hands to the rhythm and transform into different grandpas as you play.

Through the game, kids can develop a sense of rhythm and hand-movement coordination—that’s a key benefit! There’s also a version featuring Anpanman characters that really gets everyone excited.

Be sure to give it a try!

Mr. Goldfish and Mr. Medaka

[Hand Play Video] Picture Book “Mr. Goldfish and Mr. Medaka” <Choreography>

Let’s enjoy a beloved picture book story through a finger-play activity! Here’s an introduction to the finger play for “Mr.

Goldfish and Mr.

Medaka.” Let’s express this fun picture book—where the goldfish and the medaka do energetic exercises with humorous movements—through hand motions! The way the goldfish and the medaka swim is different, and each one’s characteristics are charmingly expressed through cute choreography and lyrics.

Kids are sure to get excited by these comical moves! Be sure to incorporate it into your activities.