There are plenty of songs across a wide range of genres that children can enjoy singing.
From timeless favorites like “Sanpo” and “Odoru Pompokolin” to recent kids’ songs, there are many classics loved across generations.
Whether for kindergarten, nursery school, or elementary school music activities—or simply singing together at home—these songs can turn any moment into a wonderful time filled with natural smiles.
From upbeat, energizing tunes to gentle, heartwarming songs, here we introduce pieces that children can enjoy together.
We hope you find a favorite one.
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Get hyped with songs kids love! An unforgettable collection of classics that will make you want to sing along (1–10)
Magic of SmilesŌhara Yuiko
This song, released in April 2019, is the opening theme for the anime Hanakappa, based on a picture book that depicts the life of a kappa family with flowers blooming on their heads.
The dance video on YouTube is super cute! Try dancing energetically—jumping while swinging your arms like you’re jumping rope and using your hands to express laughter.
Adjust the tempo to match the kids, simplify the choreography, and find ways to make it fun for everyone to dance together.
100% CourageHikaru GENJI
Released in 1993 as the theme song for the anime Nintama Rantarō, this track has been passed down through performances by Johnny’s groups such as Hikaru Genji, Hey! Say! JUMP, Sexy Zone, and King & Prince.
It’s popular not only among children who watch the anime, but also among adults, who say, “When you listen to it again as an adult, it really hits home and fills you with courage.” When your child takes on something new, the lyrics—“If you move forward with courage, you can seize your chance!”—will give them a powerful push.
My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi
This is the well-known ending theme song from the 1988 animated film My Neighbor Totoro.
Totoro’s popularity has never waned despite the changing times, and it continues to reign as a beloved anime work and character for children.
The ending song “My Neighbor Totoro,” packed with the excitement of getting to meet Totoro, is of course hugely popular as well! Let’s all sing it out with energy while sensing the charm of Totoro—visible only to children—and the atmosphere of the forest where Totoro lives.
Karada Dandan
Karada☆Dandan, broadcast within NHK E-Tele’s preschool program “Okaasan to Issho,” is an exercise routine that lets kids enjoy pretending to be all kinds of creatures while going on adventures in various places! It starts with a crab and a shrimp, then turns into a sea angel (clione), seaweed, dinosaurs, ninjas, athletes—and finally blasts off into outer space.
There are plenty of dances where you move like non-human creatures, but it’s rare to find a single song that transforms you into so many things.
You can almost hear the questions coming: “What kind of animal is a clione?” “What is space like?”
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA
A powerful cheer song by WANIMA that will lift your spirits just by listening! The message, “It’s okay to fail—just go for it!” is something we especially want to pass on to children as they take on new challenges.
With its upbeat, catchy tempo, it pairs perfectly with big, energetic dance moves.
Stomp to the rhythm, throw your hands up with the call-and-response—let’s get everyone moving with high-energy choreography that makes being active pure fun!
Boyoyon MarchMitani Takumi
“Boyo-yon March,” a song performed on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, has become a hot topic as a track that even adults say “moves them to tears” and “fills them with courage.” The lyrics and music are by Keizo Nakanishi.
With a message that says you can stand up again even when things are tough, this song speaks straight to the heart and stirs up a warm, growing energy.
Singing it together with children makes you feel like you can always keep looking forward and walk ahead.
rainbowShinzawa Toshihiko
A seven-colored bridge that appears after the rain—this song, with lyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa, takes the rainbow as its theme.
It’s often sung on children’s programs, and although it’s a kids’ song, it’s the kind of piece that can also move moms and dads listening along.
For children who love playing outside, rainy days can be gloomy.
But the rain always stops.
When it does, you might see a rainbow, the weather clears, and you can head back out to play.
This lovely song, perfect for parents and children to sing together, portrays the rainbow as the light of hope that awaits after the rain.
