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!
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Kids Get Excited! Popular Hand Games and Fun Singing Games (41–50)
Five melon breads at the bakery.Sakushi: Nakagawa Hirotaka / Sakkyoku: Igirisu dōyō
Shall we sing a fun fingerplay song themed around a bakery’s melon bread together with the children? It’s an adaptation of a traditional English nursery rhyme, arranged to be familiar and appealing to Japanese kids.
The fingerplay involves counting with fingers in time with lyrics that show the bread being sold, nurturing children’s imagination.
It’s often used in early childhood settings, and this work—through which you can enjoy playful counting with children via song—is sure to be a big hit both at home and in nursery or kindergarten!
Kids go wild! Popular hand games and fun song activities (51–60)
Bamboo Shoot ExercisesSakushi: Nakazawa Yoshihiro / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
Featured on numerous releases, including Nippon Columbia’s album “The Best: Kids Exercise Songs,” this piece is a bright, rhythmic track themed around the growth of bamboo shoots.
Since its release in April 2006, it has remained a favorite at sports days and in early childhood activities.
The composition is by Nobuyoshi Koshube, who worked on music for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” for 40 years, with lyrics by Yoshihiro Nakazawa.
With a comfortable tempo and easy-to-enjoy choreography, it’s perfect not only for exercise time in kindergartens and nursery schools, but also for families to enjoy moving together at home.
Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.Sakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki
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?
a big drumSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
This is a hand play song you can enjoy with rhythmic choreography that mimics drumming.
Created by Junichi Kobayashi and Yoshinao Nakata in January 1955 for NHK Radio’s preschool program “Rhythm Play,” it features an appealing, easy-to-follow melody that expresses the sounds of a big drum and a small drum.
There are also cover versions by Shoko Haida and characters from “Inai Inai Baa!,” and it’s loved across generations.
The structure alternates between the sounds of the big drum and the small drum, packed with ideas that help children naturally grow familiar with music through hand play.
If you sing it while making drumming motions, you’re sure to have a great time.
What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?Lyrics: Saitō Fumiko ・ Production: Good Choice / Composition: French folk song
It’s a hand game song where you combine rock, scissors, and paper hand shapes to transform them into all sorts of things! Make both hands into scissors to be a crab, both hands into paper to be a butterfly, or combine rock and scissors to be a snail—depending on the combinations, you can create many different shapes.
Before starting the song, ask the children questions like, “What could we make with paper and rock?” Then turn their ideas into original lyrics and sing—this will make it even more exciting! For teachers, it’s also great fun to see what imaginative ideas the children will come up with.
Spring came pop-pop-popsakushi: kozue hikari / sakkyoku: sako shinichirō
Why not sing together a refreshing song that evokes the arrival of spring? Created by Mr.
Komichi Hikari and Mr.
Shinichiro Sako, this piece features lyrics that make rhythmic hand-play fun.
The spring-themed lyrics spark children’s imaginations, and the bright melody naturally makes you want to hum along.
Since it incorporates clapping motions, it’s perfect for developing a sense of rhythm and teamwork.
Singing it at entrance ceremonies or spring events can help ease the nerves of children who are anxious about a new environment.
Be sure to sing it with your child and enjoy the coming of spring!
Playing bus (pretend bus play)Sakushi: Kayama Bi / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
Since the 1970s, this piece has been cherished as a song that captures the excitement of going on field trips and off-site activities by bus.
It beautifully blends Akira Yuyama’s lively melody—winner of the Japan Children’s Song Award—with Yoshiko Kayama’s lyrics, written from a young child’s perspective.
The song is often featured at preschool and kindergarten recitals and sports days.
Singing it as if you’re riding on a bus is sure to boost children’s spirits! It’s also perfect for getting everyone excited before heading out.