Recommended summer songs for kids: Popular J-POP/Japanese hits [2026]
Every summer brings a relentless heat wave, but for kids, summer isn’t just hot—it’s a season full of fun with pools, the beach, summer vacation, fireworks, and more.
In this article, we’ve gathered a collection of summer songs perfect for children.
Focusing on artists popular with kids, we’ll introduce both ballads and up-tempo tracks, from timeless classics to the latest hits.
If you’re looking for summer songs to play for children, be sure to check this out.
You’re sure to find the perfect track for summer drives or as BGM for camping!
Playlist
| Recommended summer songs for kids: Popular J-POP/Japanese hits [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Beautiful and heartrending, with Kenshi Yonezu’s theme song for Kaijū |
| 2east | Glaring Summernaniwa danshi |  play_arrow | Naniwa Danshi’s summer song |
| 3east | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Doraemon Theme Song Emotional Ballad |
| 4east | FateOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | Higedan delivers pop rock brimming with freshness |
| 5east | Summer Colorsyuzu |  play_arrow | Yuzu’s “Natsuiro” is a classic summer song. |
| 6east | sunflowerAdo |  play_arrow | A refreshing, powerful summer-themed TV drama theme song by Ado |
| 7east | Ultramarine FlightDISH// |  play_arrow | Summer youth, a melody of hope |
| 8east | The Slope in AugustFischer’s |  play_arrow | An exhilarating song that captures the spirit of summer adventure |
| 9east | Summer MagicLucky² |  play_arrow | Lucky²’s summer magic makes the heart dance |
| 10east | Summer★☆GetchuTHE SUPER FRUIT |  play_arrow | A pop tune that fully embraces summer |
| 11east | Strawberry-Colored Summer Fireworks Special Arrange Ver. 2024sutopuri |  play_arrow | A popular 2018 song has been rearranged and evolved into a more mature story |
| 12east | Beautiful finsupittsu |  play_arrow | Spitz’s movie theme song, a classic summer tune |
| 13east | Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | Ryokuoushoku Shakai's love song |
| 14east | Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya |  play_arrow | A refreshing yet bittersweet song by Tatsuya Kitani themed around youth and a sense of loss |
| 15east | Somewhere in the summerWANIMA |  play_arrow | A rock song that colors WANIMA’s summer |
| 16east | Glistening, babyWEST. |  play_arrow | A party tune that captures the summertime fun of WEST. |
| 17east | In the Blueikimonogakari |  play_arrow | Ikimono-gakari’s pop tune |
| 18east | Scatter! Summer peopleYabai T-shatsu Yasan |  play_arrow | Introduction to rock tunes with a summer theme |
| 19east | Super SummerNiziU |  play_arrow | Introduction to NiziU’s summer song “Super Summer” |
| 20east | That gentle girlsupittsu |  play_arrow | Spitz’s morning drama theme song is popular with children too |
| 21east | fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu’s collaboration song |
| 22east | SurgesOrangestar (feat. Natsuse & Ruwan) |  play_arrow | Vocaloid producer Orangestar’s summer song “Surges” |
| 23east | Ephemeral Fireworkssupercell |  play_arrow | supercell, nagi, fireworks theme |
| 24east | Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta) |  play_arrow | Urashima Tarō’s single-minded love song |
| 25east | Coco☆NatsuMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto |  play_arrow | Momoiro Clover Z’s classic summer song |
| 26east | Muscatyuzu |  play_arrow | Yuzu’s “Muscat” is a refreshing summer song. |
| 27east | Trace that dreamYOASOBI |  play_arrow | YOASOBI’s summer love song. Confessing feelings on a night of fireworks. |
| 28east | summer squallarashi |  play_arrow | Arashi’s “Natsu Hayate” is a high school baseball cheer song. |
| 29east | Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | Dinosaur Diary Theme Song: Summer Memories and Hope |
| 30east | Until It Reaches YouLittle Glee Monster |  play_arrow | Ending theme song of a high school baseball anime |
| 31east | Become the windtsuji ayano |  play_arrow | Tsuji Ayano’s “Kaze ni Naru” is the theme song of The Cat Returns. |
| 32east | Because I’ve always loved you.neguse. |  play_arrow | A cheer song that makes you feel the heat of youth |
| 33east | The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster |  play_arrow | An upbeat pop song by Little Glee Monster |
| 34east | A Little Love Songchiisana koi no uta bando |  play_arrow | Movie version arrangement of “Chiisana Koi no Uta” |
| 35east | StarmineDa-iCE |  play_arrow | Da-iCE song, an uplifting cheer anthem |
| 36east | Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the anticipation and determination for a new adventure |
| 37east | Soda Pop Lovenaniwa danshi |  play_arrow | A summer crush that fizzes like soda |
| 38east | Smile Ondoyuzu |  play_arrow | Expressing cross-generational bonds in Yuzu’s summer festival song |
| 39east | Carrying HappinessMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A summer theme song, full of happiness! |
| 40east | Barefoot CeccoliORANGE RANGE |  play_arrow | A summer song by ORANGE RANGE, a refreshing tune overflowing with romantic feelings |
| 41east | Youth is eternalShōnan no Kaze feat. Atarashii Gakkō no Leaders |  play_arrow | A youth anthem of cross-generational collaboration! |
| 42east | lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A refreshing, guitar-driven coming-of-age hit song |
| 43east | Hi-FiveME:I |  play_arrow | A song brimming with the refreshing exhilaration of summer |
| 44east | Samama Festival!Mrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | An energetic summer track to make the best memories |
| 45east | Nagisaimase |  play_arrow | imase’s 80s-style city pop song |
| 46east | Marigoldaimyon |  play_arrow | Aimyong’s summer classic surpasses 100 million plays |
| 47east | I am the strongest.Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED |  play_arrow | The theme song from the One Piece movie is very popular among elementary school students. |
| 48east | Heart’s Whim (feat. Kopi)kobasoro |  play_arrow | A touch of everyday adventure in anime theme songs |
| 49east | Live the summerRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A refreshing song that portrays the radiance and transience of youth |
| 50east | ASOBONiziU |  play_arrow | Let's enjoy everyday life with NiziU's songs! |
| 51east | Let’s dance, Ondo! |  play_arrow | A bon odori song everyone can enjoy, adding color to the summer festival |
| 52east | Ultraman Ondo |  play_arrow | Fun music that fuses tokusatsu and festivals |
| 53east | It’s Hamu Hamu ON-DO, Ham-chans! |  play_arrow | Bon Odori song by the Hamtaro crew originating from the anime |
| 54east | Ponchararin on a moonlit night |  play_arrow | Bon dance at the summer festival, animals dancing happily |
| 55east | Blue Hawaii Lemon≒JOY |  play_arrow | ≒JOY's third summer love song |
| 56east | together; along with; bothWANIMA |  play_arrow | Turn summer into smiles with WANIMA’s songs |
| 57east | Otherworldly Mixed Grand Ball (feat. Ghost)Hoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Enjoy dancing to Gen Hoshino’s summer tracks |
| 58east | magic musicKimura Kaera |  play_arrow | Kimura Kaela’s refreshing song that brightens up the summer |
| 59east | DREAMIN’ ONDa-iCE |  play_arrow | A rock number for One Piece’s opening theme |
| 60east | Tokyo Summer SessionHoneyWorks feat.CHiCO |  play_arrow | A love song set at a summer festival |
| 61east | ApollodorusMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A summery rock song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE |
| 62east | You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | SHISHAMO’s Summer Festival Love Song |
| 63east | summer festivalWhiteberry |  play_arrow | Whiteberry's 'Summer Festival' is the quintessential summer classic. |
| 64east | To the Lightmiwa |  play_arrow | miwa’s summer song, a powerful message full of hope |
| 65east | Summertime Recordjin |  play_arrow | Vocaloid summer song, Kagerou Project |
| 66east | Ghost in the FlowersYorushika |  play_arrow | A song by Yorushika that captures the charm of summer |
| 67east | silver vineSato Chiaki |  play_arrow | A warm, heartfelt song that colors summer memories |
| 68east | BokuNatsuSakaguchi Ami |  play_arrow | A song capturing the feelings of children unable to be active due to COVID |
| 69east | high-stepperŌhara Yuiko |  play_arrow | Yuiko Ohara's High Stepper is a youth song |
| 70east | Do Re Mi So La Si DoHinatazaka46 |  play_arrow | Let's heat up romance with Hinatazaka46's summer EDM track |
| 71east | Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A summer song brimming with the refreshing vibe of a coming-of-age movie theme |
| 72east | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE |  play_arrow | Childhood memories last a lifetime. |
| 73east | cloversaidāgāru |  play_arrow | Cider Girl recommended refreshing summer song |
| 74east | Only for you, clear skiesYorushika |  play_arrow | Characteristics and Appeal of Yorushika’s Popular Song “Just a Sunny Day for You” |
| 75east | Gate of GloryHirai Dai |  play_arrow | A powerful song supporting summer high school baseball |
| 76east | ciderHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Motohiro Hata’s “Cider” is about the summer adventures and memories of boys and girls. |
| 77east | CelebrateTwice |  play_arrow | TWICE's summer song—cute, stylish, and danceable |