Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun sing-alongs
Kids love fingerplay! When the teacher cheerfully sings and moves their hands, the children’s eyes light up as if to say, “What’s starting?” They gaze intently or try to imitate, showing such adorable reactions.
Fingerplay is essential in early childhood settings—for introducing activities or drawing children’s attention.
So this time, we’re introducing popular fingerplays and action songs for kids.
From classic routines often used in nurseries and kindergartens to trendy new ones, we’ve got plenty that will captivate children.
Find options that match their interests and age, and give them a try!
Kids Will Love It! Popular Hand Play and Fun Singing Games (1–10)
Are you okay? Whoops.Suzuki Tsubasa
How about the fingerplay song “Daijoubu? Zukko,” featuring animals that kids love? This fingerplay is full of humor and has a delightfully fun storyline.
As the animals curl up one after another and ask, “Are you okay?”, you can almost hear the children bursting into laughter.
It’s very popular in nurseries and kindergartens, and when parents and teachers join in, smiles are guaranteed! Give it a try as a fun fingerplay that nurtures communication skills and imagination.
The fish jumps.Sakushi/Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
“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.
Kera Kera Rock-Paper-Scissorskerakera
As a way to break the ice with children who are excited and a little nervous about the new environment during entrance ceremonies or class promotions, how about Kerakera’s “Kerakera Janken”? This song uses the universally known game of rock-paper-scissors as its motif and is a simple play-along tune where you just throw rock, scissors, or paper to the rhythm.
It’s a single released in October 2014 by the unit known for the theme song of the drama “Last Cinderella,” and it was later included on the album “Kerakeraland.” The music video also drew attention for featuring Nozomi Tsuji.
If you move your body in time with the shout-along lyrics, smiles are sure to follow.
Get the parents involved too, and try it as a recreational activity to get the whole venue buzzing.
The Bento BusSakushi / Sakkyoku: Shinju Mariko
This fun song, which combines kids’ favorite lunchboxes and buses, is a big hit at nurseries and kindergartens.
Its distinctive style features a bright, lively melody that sings about food-character ingredients hopping onto the bus one after another.
Based on a picture book published in 2006, the piece later inspired a play-activity book, opening up many ways to enjoy it.
It’s packed with playful learning elements—helping children learn food names and develop a sense of rhythm.
Sing and dance along with your child, and you’re sure to share a wonderful, smile-filled time together.
Mitsuya CiderOhtaki Eiichi
The hand game inspired by the refreshing fizz of Mitsuya Cider is a big hit with kids! The choreography, which uses fingers to count numbers as you go, also helps with number learning.
With its breezy rhythm and fun movements, it’s perfect for keeping spirits high even in hot weather.
It’s ideal for starting an activity or when you want to draw everyone’s attention.
When teachers and children enjoy it together, it creates summer memories too.
You can freely adapt it by changing the tempo to suit different ages or having pairs face each other to play.
You can just picture the children’s eyes sparkling with excitement!
tangledSuzuki Tsubasa・Fukuda Sho
This song delivered by Tsubasa Suzuki and Sho Fukuda is perfect for children’s favorite hand-play games.
The lyrics, which depict tangled-up ninjas and rabbits, are full of humor and are sure to bring smiles.
It’s included on the album “Shokun-Tsukun no Karamatta Tehe!” released in July 2016, and has become popular in nursery schools and kindergartens.
The rhythmic choreography and the cute little “Tehe!” at the end are sure to capture children’s hearts.
It’s a recommended track for times when everyone wants to enjoy hand-play together, such as during morning meetings or at the end of the day.
Shopping at the bakerySakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki
While playing both the customer and the baker, you can enjoy a fun hand-play activity set in a bakery—perhaps a relatively new song in the hand-play repertoire.
As you rhythmically act it out, you express different types of bread through gestures.
It might also be fun to come up with new kinds of bread yourselves and add corresponding gestures.
