Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun sing-alongs

Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

“Toy Cha-Cha-Cha” (with choreography) [Japanese song / shoka]

The classic children’s song “Omocha no Cha-Cha-Cha” is an appealing piece with its bright rhythm and imaginative lyrics about toys coming to life at night.

Beyond being a dance tune, it can also be used for hand-play activities or as a theme for school performances.

Kids who love toys will be excited simply because the song and dance theme is “toys.” It would be fun to include choreography that lets them pretend to be toys and move freely.

It’s a highly recommended song that draws out children’s imagination.

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sasashina

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Applause for you!Hanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya, Fukuo Makoto, Akimoto Azuki

[Okaasan to Issho February 2023 Song] “Kimi ni Hakushu!” Cover

Clapping serves as the motif for a bright, refreshing cheer song, “Kimi ni Hakushu!” which appeared as the February 2023 song on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.

The lyrics were written by the unit “Aritarou,” and the composition was handled by Taro Masuda himself.

Its rhythmic melody and handclaps resonate with fun! The lyrics are filled with positive phrases like “A round of applause for the one I love,” “A round of applause for being born,” and “A round of applause for the miracle that we met,” making it a song that brings energy and gratitude to both children and adults.

Be sure to listen while clapping along with your kids!

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kepiko

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Let’s clap our handssakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi/genkyoku: cheko minyō

Let's Clap Our Hands – Let's clap our hands, tan-tan-tan, tan-tan-tan~ [Hand Play / Children's Song]

This warm song expresses joy beginning with the simple act of clapping, naturally resonating with children’s hearts.

With Japanese lyrics by Junichi Kobayashi set to a Czech folk melody, it features an easy-to-remember tune and friendly words, and is often sung in nursery schools and kindergartens.

It has also been featured on NHK educational programs and in collections of children’s songs, remaining beloved across generations.

Because the clapping motion helps develop a sense of rhythm and motor skills, it serves not only as a tool for parent-child communication but is also an ideal piece for recreational activities in senior care facilities.

Get on the busSakushi sakkyoku: Taniguchi Kunihiro

[With Choreography] Riding the Bus / Okaasan to Issho | Working Vehicles Animation | Daisuke Yokoyama, Takumi Mitani

Kunihiro Taniguchi’s rhythmic children’s song is brimming with charm, inviting listeners to vividly imagine the fun of riding in vehicles.

Set to a gently swaying melody, it’s a piece that lets you express with your whole body the bus’s rocking motion and the thrill of turning.

Released in May 2008 and later included in the September 2020 album “Teacher Ti’s Kids Love It! Play Songs,” the track has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and is frequently sung at nursery school and kindergarten events.

As a hand-play song that children can enjoy together, it’s a perfect choice for family bonding time and making memories.

The fish jumps.

The Fish Jumps [Hand Play] Lyrics and Music: Hirotaka Nakagawa — Great for daycare and kindergarten practicums too! A summer hand game that’s fun even when you change the speed ✨

A refreshing hand game! Let me share some ideas for “Sakana ga Hanete” (Fish Jumping).

When you think of summer, many people probably imagine watersides like rivers and the sea, right? This is a unique fish-themed hand game you’ll want to use before fish-related crafts or dances.

Before starting the game, it could be fun to ask the children how they would react if a fish suddenly jumped—boing!—out of the water.

In this playful activity, fish hop onto different parts of the body and stick there, then keep transforming one after another—such a unique hand game!

Whale ClockSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshi

[Hand Play] Whale Clock ♬ <with gestures>

A fantastical song that fills children with excitement.

Its soft, warm, and beautiful melody blends perfectly with lyrics rich in storytelling.

First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1983, it has remained popular, with reruns and inclusion on related albums.

The piece is also used in school music materials as a song that teaches the importance of time.

Listening to it during the rainy tsuyu season or on June 10th, Time Day, will surely put you in a gentle mood.

Singing it with choreography will further spark children’s imaginations.

The Bento Box SongSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Akihiro

[Hand Play Song] The Bento Box Song [With Choreography]

This is a fingerplay song, beloved by children, that cheerfully introduces the contents of a lunchbox.

Miyako Kayama’s warm lyrics perfectly match Akihiro Komori’s bright, friendly melody, resulting in an uplifting tune.

It’s fun to sing while doing the hand motions, and the lively storytelling is part of its charm.

Released as a single by Nippon Columbia in August 1978, the song was featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and the Nippon TV network’s “Ohayō! Kodomo Show,” gaining widespread popularity.

It’s a delightful song that makes moments centered on food—like packing lunches or getting ready for a field trip—even more enjoyable.