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 Hand-Clapping Game to Sing and Learn with Kids (1–10)
The Song of Piki-Hiki-BikiPitagora Suitchi
This is a fun song that explores the quirky rules of Japanese words, born from NHK’s popular program “PythagoraSwitch.” It teaches the sound changes in counting frogs—piki, hiki, biki—set to a light, catchy melody sung by the composer, Masaki Kurihara.
Paired with animation of frogs jumping into a pond, the rhythmic play of sounds is irresistibly charming.
It’s great for parents and children to sing together and chat about “Why do the counting words change?” A perfect classic to spark intellectual curiosity in children who are starting to take an interest in numbers and language.
7 Steps
It’s a super fun counting song where you count from 1 to 7 together with Pikachu and friends! A great feature is that it doesn’t just count in order—it also includes a part where you go back from 7 down to 1.
This piece is a video released on Pokémon Kids TV in July 2022, and it’s based on an English nursery rhyme.
By singing along and calling out things like “Which Pokémon will show up next?” while watching, kids will naturally become familiar with numbers.
If your child loves Pokémon, they’ll be hooked and want to watch it over and over again.
The Duck and Green Onion Counting SongPokemon Kids TV
A very fun counting song starring the Pokémon “Farfetch’d.” It doesn’t just count from one to ten; it features humorous, rhyming lyrics and shows how three of them become stronger together—beautifully highlighting the theme of “companionship,” which resonates with the Pokémon world.
The song was released in September 2020 and is also included in the DVD series “Pokémon Songs & Dances.” If parents and children sing along while imitating the on-screen movements, they can naturally become familiar with numbers while having fun.
number writingPinkittsu
It’s a fingerplay song that lets kids practice writing numbers to a catchy, pop-style melody! Just moving their fingers along with the song helps them naturally learn number shapes and stroke order.
Even children who aren’t ready to hold a pencil can enjoy tracing in the air with their fingers—such a nice perk, isn’t it? This track is included on Pinkfong’s album “Pinkfong Number Songs,” released in April 2022.
It’s perfect for kids who are starting to show interest in numbers and for kicking off writing practice in a playful way! How about singing together as a family and sharing the joy of learning?
One, two, three
In the lyrics of “One, Two, Three,” many creatures that capture children’s interest—like frogs and penguins—make an appearance.
If you change the way you jump to match each animal, you can dance joyfully with lots of variety in your movements.
The lyrics that inspire hope and courage for the future as you sing are also memorable.
Be sure to dance and have fun while picturing a hopeful future!
Vehicle Counting Song
An educational song with a lively atmosphere that makes you want to move to the rhythm.
It’s especially recommended for kids who love vehicles like cars and trains.
Popular vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, and the Shinkansen appear one after another, and just energetically singing their names helps children naturally learn numbers.
You might even see your child eagerly counting along in response to the questions in the song.
Sing together as a family and have fun learning vehicle names and numbers!
counting songIkeda Ayako
How about a time to learn numbers while encountering languages from around the world? Ayako Ikeda’s work is an extremely global song that counts not only in Japanese, but also in English, Chinese, German, and even Swahili! With Ikeda’s crystal-clear voice—refined through her classical training—and a beautiful piano melody, you’ll feel as if you’re traveling the world.
Broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” from October 2008, the piece is said to carry a warm message: that language can become a bridge to the future.
It might be fun to spread out a world map as you sing and, together with your child, look for where each country is!