Numbers Song: A fun nursery rhyme and fingerplay song to sing and learn with children
When teaching your child numbers, do you ever feel like “they just won’t remember them”? It can be quite confusing that the way you count changes depending on what you’re counting—for example, ichi, ni versus ippon, nihon—so many parents struggle with how to teach it.
That’s where “number songs” come in handy! Children can naturally learn numbers to the rhythm of a song, making it fun to study.
In this article, we’ll introduce kid-friendly songs for learning numbers, from fingerplay songs that teach vegetable names along with counting, to lively tunes featuring ice cream and melon bread.
Sing together with your child and help them get comfortable with numbers!
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[Number Song] A fun nursery rhyme and finger-play song to sing and learn with kids (11–20)
Daichan Counting SongTendō Yoshimi
A lively counting song that makes you want to count on your fingers—“one, two”—with boundless energy.
It portrays a protagonist who leaves their hometown and lives with resilience, and simply listening to it feels like an uplifting cheer song.
This piece is the memorable debut work released by Yoshimi Tendo in September 1970 under the name Yoshimi Yoshida, and it also became widely known as the theme song for the anime Inakappe Taisho.
Singing along while folding your fingers to the story as a parent and child might naturally spark an interest in numbers.
A Bath Counting Song
This is a song about what it’s like to take a bath with a child.
It’s been covered by Takeshi Tsuruno, who’s also known as a “papa” TV personality, so many of you may already know it.
If you sing it to a child who doesn’t like bath time, those reluctant moments might turn into a fun, enjoyable time.
Picnicdeguchi takashi
A gentle song that portrays the joy of a picnic in a meadow and friendly encounters with grasses, flowers, and insects.
Included on an album released in November 2022, it was also featured on a children’s educational TV program.
Perfect as a fingerplay song for having fun singing and dancing with kids—ideal for activities in nurseries and kindergartens, as well as for family bonding time.
Since numbers appear in the lyrics, it also helps children practice counting!
Acorns and a Little Squirrel
“Acorns and Little Squirrel” is also a counting song, making it especially recommended for children at the age where they want to learn numbers.
The acorns being chased by the squirrel increase—one, two, and so on—and the song counts from 1 to 10.
Even if kids don’t yet grasp the concept of numbers, they can happily learn the numbers and their order just by singing.
Before long, they’ll want to count all kinds of things on their own.
Even setting numbers aside, it’s an adorable song about a squirrel and acorns, so try singing it with children from infants to kindergarteners, adjusting how you enjoy it as they grow.
Numbers Song 1–50
A very fun song that imagines the shapes of numbers as familiar things and sings about them! Factory chimneys, geese floating on a pond, a baby’s ears—objects around children transform one after another into numbers.
Like the anecdote about the lyricist getting the idea from seeing a factory chimney, it lets listeners feel the delight of discoveries hidden in everyday life.
Since its release as a record in 1957, the song has been loved for so long that it has even been featured in elementary school textbooks.
Because it helps children naturally grow familiar with numbers through play, it’s perfect for practicing how to count!
Number SongSakushi: Yume Niji Ni / Sakkyoku: Kotani Hajime
This song, which compares numbers to familiar things as it’s sung, was created in 1957.
It likens the numbers from 1 to 10 to approachable images like “factory chimneys” and “a raccoon dog’s belly,” making it full of playful number fun.
Its rhythmic melody is perfect for activities in nursery schools and kindergartens.
Singing together with friends can also spark important communication.
Be sure to enjoy it during morning meetings or end-of-day gatherings, too!
[Number Song] A fun nursery rhyme and hand game to sing and learn with children (21–30)
Hammer tap-tap
Tap-tap with a hammer—up to five come out.
First use your hands, then your feet, and finally your head; tapping with all five is the fun part.
Try it together with a parent and child! Kids love using their hands and feet, right? Once you can do up to five, try making your own original version next.
