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

A-I-U-E-O nigiriSakushi Sakkyoku: Shuu Saeko

♪ A-I-U-E-O Onigiri — Let's have onigiri together from the morning ♪ [with choreography]

A bright, rhythmic tune themed around the joy and smiles of making rice balls as a family.

With lyrics that spark curiosity and imagination about everyday ingredients, it captivates children’s hearts.

First broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in April 2001, the song has been covered by many artists, including Satoko Yamano and the Himawari Kids.

It’s used in nursery schools and kindergartens as part of food education, and it’s also recommended to hum along at home while making onigiri with your child.

Animal Exercises 1-2-3Sakushi • Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi

Animal Exercise 1-2-3 (with moves) - The rabbit’s exercise goes boing-boing, boing-boing-boing-boing~ [exercise]

A charming exercise song that lets kids joyfully move their bodies, taking inspiration from animal gestures.

It starts with a gentle rhythm and is packed with ideas that naturally make children want to move—jumping together to the music, swinging their arms wide—while helping develop their motor skills.

It has frequently been featured on popular preschool TV shows like NHK Educational’s “Inai Inai Baa!” and “Okaasan to Issho,” and covers by various artists have also drawn attention.

Perfect not only for sports days and morning exercise time, but also for celebrating Children’s Day with the whole family.

Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.Sakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki

A nursery classic to sing: “Kashiwa Mochi Gyuggyu” [Children’s Day, nursery music play, hand-play song]

An adorable children’s song that rhythmically depicts the fun of making kashiwa-mochi.

Its structure lets kids sing while doing hand-play motions, which naturally draws out their body movements and helps develop a sense of rhythm.

Featured in numerous early childhood education books—such as “Instant Hand-Play & Piano Accompaniment for Ages 0–2”—the song is widely used in kindergartens and nurseries.

Try singing it at home with your child while enjoying the hand-play.

And after the fun, how about some real kashiwa-mochi for a snack?

Picnicdeguchi takashi

[Finger Play] "Picnic" [Takashi's Hand Play & Children's Songs] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

A song that gently portrays the fun of a picnic in a meadow and warm interactions with flowers and insects, highlighted by Takashi Deguchi’s uniquely soothing vocals.

Released on an album in November 2022, it was also featured on a children’s educational TV program.

Perfect as a fingerplay song for singing and dancing with kids—ideal for activities at daycare and kindergarten, as well as family bonding time.

Since numbers appear in the lyrics, it’s also great for practicing counting!

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsAmerika min’yō (sakushi: Kimura Toshihito)

[Hand Play] If You're Happy and You Know It ♪ (Maatan)

Beloved for many years as a hand-play song, this piece was born in 1959, inspired by YMCA work camp activities in the Philippines.

Its warm melody carries wishes for peace and friendship, and its lyrics charmingly express happiness with the whole body.

In May 1964, Kyu Sakamoto recorded the song, achieving an astonishing 700,000 in sales.

It was chosen as the entry march for the opening ceremony of the 37th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in 1965, and in 2007 it was selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Songs of Japan.” Despite its simple structure, it is used in childcare and educational settings as a participatory piece that can be enjoyed while moving the body, with hand claps, foot stomps, and more.

Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catSakushi sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi

Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko [Song by Mama and Papa] - Okaasan to Issho nursery rhyme hand play

A hand-play nursery song by Naotsumi Yamamoto that captures children’s hearts with adorable animal sounds and a friendly melody.

The lyrics cleverly link four animals in a word-chain style, blending the fun of moving your body with hand-play choreography.

Broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and later beloved in choral versions as well, it has continued to be cherished by many parents and children.

Why not become animals together with your child, move your arms and legs wide, and enjoy a moment full of smiles?

Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky.Sakushi: Kazumi Kazuki / Sakkyoku: Hajime Kamishiba

♪Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky [with gestures] Let’s draw a picture in the blue sky, a big, big ship 〜♪ [Children’s song / nursery rhyme]

A song that paints a large ship in the blue sky and sings of an adventure to a new world is full of charm that richly nurtures children’s imaginations.

Along with energetic calls and cheers, its uplifting message that expands their hopes for dreams will surely resonate deeply in children’s hearts.

Beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, this work shines in scenes where children sing together, such as at sports days and concerts.

Its structure, which lets children move their bodies joyfully while singing, is also a major appeal that enables everyone to have fun as one.

It is a cherished piece in childcare and educational settings.