Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season

rainbowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

Niji – Colorful Palette [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] (Hirotaka Nakagawa / Toshihiko Shinzawa)

A gem of a song by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, it gently sings of hopeful expectations for tomorrow, themed around meeting a seven-colored rainbow in the garden after the rain.

Since its release in 1990, it has been loved by many for its lyrics that depict small everyday joys and its warm melody.

In 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Kao’s “Attack ZERO,” revealing new charm alongside striking visuals starring Tori Matsuzaka and others.

It’s a tune you’ll want the whole family to hum together, especially when you’re feeling down.

soap bubbleSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Soap Bubbles – Soap bubbles flew, they flew up to the roof ~ [Japanese song/children’s song]

A classic adorned with a gentle melody that resonates in children’s hearts and lyrics that are fragile yet beautiful.

Created hand in hand by Ujo Noguchi and Shinpei Nakayama, this work left a profound mark on the history of Japanese children’s songs and continues to be loved by many today.

In a 2003 survey conducted by the NPO “Japan Doyo Association,” it was ranked ninth among favorite children’s songs and was also selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Songs of Japan.” At Yumoto Station in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, it is even used as the departure melody.

Why not enjoy a hand-play game while singing it with your child on Children’s Day? You’re sure to have a heartwarming time.

Bamboo shoots are sprouting.warabeuta

[KBS Children's Songs] The Bamboo Shoot Sprouted

Through a traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring, it gently wraps children’s hearts in warmth.

The key is choreography that engages the whole body—pressing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading both arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.

The way it’s played varies slightly by region and has been passed down from parents to children.

It can be enjoyed not only as a hand game but also as a rock–paper–scissors game, making it popular among children in nursery schools and kindergartens.

Keeping rhythm while moving their hands and bodies, children naturally break into smiles.

This piece is a friendly song that eases the worries of children who feel anxious in new environments.

It is truly a perfect number for fostering children’s healthy growth and emotional richness.

lazyboneswarabe uta

Hamamatsu City: Introducing April's nursery rhymes for rhythmics (Eurhythmics)

The children’s song handed down in Saga Prefecture has horsetail shoots as its theme, heralding the arrival of spring.

The lyrics call out to the sprouts as they peek up from the soil.

There are many ways to enjoy it—swaying together as parent and child or playing with a cloth, for example.

Reflecting the local culture, it is a cherished tradition passed down across generations.

It also seems to encourage interaction with springtime nature and promote rhythm and language development.

Widely enjoyed by various ages in nursery schools and kindergartens, it is a lovely song that expresses hopes for children’s healthy growth.

one bamboo shootwarabe uta

One whole bamboo shoot

Perfect for the spring season, this song is a traditional children’s rhyme that has been loved for generations.

It features simple lyrics and a catchy melody, and its charm lies in the way children split into “oni” (tagger) and “takenoko” (bamboo shoot) roles to play.

Because kids move their bodies while singing, it’s great for developing a sense of rhythm and cooperation.

It’s also used in early childhood education, and there are videos on YouTube explaining how to play.

Sing and play energetically outdoors with family and friends, and you’re sure to enjoy the spring atmosphere even more.

Why not raise your voices together and feel the arrival of spring?

Churippu sharippuwarabe uta

tulip sheriff

Simple yet profound, this nursery rhyme captivates children’s hearts.

The part where everyone stands in a circle and calls each other’s names is perfect for nurturing communication skills and social development.

Its rhythmic lyrics and melody are fun and easy to memorize.

In preschools and kindergartens, it’s also used as an icebreaker to ease the nerves of new children.

At home, singing and playing it together as a family can make for a delightful time.

It can be enjoyed from infancy.

When the spring weather invites you outdoors, why not form a circle and sing it together?

Opened, openedwarabe uta

♪Opened, opened – Hiraita Hiraita | ♪Opened, opened, what flower has opened? [Japanese song / children’s song]

Long beloved as a traditional Japanese children’s song, this piece enchants with lyrics that evoke the arrival of spring.

Children enjoy joining hands to form a circle and act out flowers opening and closing.

Despite its simple words and melody, it embodies Japanese views of nature and impermanence, giving it profound appeal.

It is often sung in kindergartens and nursery schools, contributing to children’s emotional development.

Passed down since the Edo period, this song is recommended for those who want to feel the spring season or experience traditional Japanese culture.

Why not sing it with your child and enjoy the coming of spring together?