Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
May is the season when fresh green leaves shine brightly and playing outside becomes so much fun.
On walks, you can hear many little birds and feel the pleasant breeze, which lifts your spirits.
At times like that, why not spend the moment singing children’s songs that let you feel the joys of spring?
We’re introducing many songs—from ones that capture the comfortable feeling of May to tunes perfect for spring field trips and fun outings.
Let’s sing children’s songs that you can enjoy together with May’s nature—everyone with friends and family!
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Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Perfect songs for the fresh green season (41–50)
Picnicdeguchi takashi
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!
Nursery rhymes and hand-clapping songs to enjoy in May! Perfect songs for the season of fresh greenery (51–60)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsAmerika min’yō (sakushi: Kimura Toshihito)
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.
What color do you like?Sakushi Sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu
A wonderful song that nurtures children’s sensitivity through colors.
Its friendly lyrics paint a world of color through crayons, and the heartwarming melody blends perfectly to captivate young hearts.
The song aired as NHK’s “Song of the Month” on Okaasan to Issho from April 1984 to March 1985, and is included on albums such as NHK Okaasan to Issho 50th Anniversary Best.
It was also performed at a reconstruction support event in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, in August 2011.
Ideal not only for childcare and educational settings but also for families to enjoy singing together at home.
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catSakushi sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi
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?
Applause for you!sakushi: aritarou/sakkyoku: masuda tarou
This refreshing piece, themed around handclaps, was broadcast as the Monthly Song for February 2023 on NHK E-TV’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Its lyrics, which convey gratitude and encouragement through the act of clapping, gently embrace feelings too deep for words and soothe the listener’s heart.
In the video, the older performers in colorful costumes sing and dance joyfully in front of a dazzling floral set, leaving a lasting impression.
It’s a heartwarming work that cheers on children who strive every day and gives courage and energy to parents raising them.
Song of a little birdsakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi
This charming children’s song features a bright, light melody and adorable onomatopoeia that evokes birds chirping.
Depicting a little bird gently calling for its mother and father, it was released in 1954, and its tender lyrics expressing love for parents have warmed hearts across generations.
Many people likely sang it in nursery school or kindergarten when they were young.
In educational settings, it is often sung during May’s Bird Week.
It’s a perfect song for families to enjoy together with hand-play actions.
Picnic Marchsakushi: Ide Takao / sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
A bright and cheerful march-style song born from the familiar NHK program “Okaasan to Issho.” It expresses the act of stepping forward while cheerfully addressing your right and left feet, through adorable lyrics and a rhythmic melody.
Created as an insert song for the puppet show “Niko Niko Pun,” which aired from 1982 to 1992, it featured the trio of Jajamaru, Pikkoro, and Porori singing and dancing—an image that left a deep impression on many children.
Thanks to its easy, movement-friendly appeal, it’s often sung at events like field trips and sports days and is widely used in early childhood education.
It’s a perfect song for a picnic in open fields that stirs the urge to run around, or for the season of meeting new friends.