[Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
Kids love to sing!
Singing is a form of exercise, nurtures interest in language, and helps develop expressiveness and a sense of rhythm.
It’s also said that singing releases “happy hormones,” making it effective for relieving stress.
Bring plenty of music into daily life and sing freely together with your children.
This time, we’re introducing popular children’s songs we’d love you to sing and play with your kids!
We’ve collected everything from classic nursery rhymes passed down through the years to the latest hit songs.
You can search songs by category—animals, vehicles, food, and more—so you’re sure to find the perfect tune for your children.
If you add simple choreography or hand-play motions as well as singing, the kids will be thrilled!
Be sure to explore a variety of nursery rhymes and enjoy happy times with your children!
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Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (71–80)
My Mixed JuiceSakushi: Gomi Tarō / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Koku
Released in 1982, this is a bright, uplifting children’s song.
If you want kids to sing out with lively voices, this track is highly recommended.
Shōko Haida, the beloved “big sister” singer from children’s programs, has performed it as well.
Verses 1, 2, and 3 are divided into morning, afternoon, and night parts, so if you’re planning group singing with different sections, this song might be perfect.
The chorus features the title “Mixed Juice” as part of the lyrics, and it’s incredibly satisfying to sing!
Being human is niceSakushi: Yamaguchi Akari/Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
As a heartwarming song that’s fun to sing, “Ningen tte Iina” is highly recommended.
It’s known as the ending theme of the anime Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi.
In recent years, it has regained attention thanks to reruns and DVD releases.
The lyrics, which depict human life from the perspective of animals, are not only comforting but also offer a chance to rediscover the happiness found in everyday life.
When singing it as a group, try building excitement around the final phrase.
After a fightSakushi: Araki Toyohisa / Sakkyoku: Miki Takashi
I’d like to introduce “Kenka no Ato” as a heartwarming song with a strong message.
It gained attention after being chosen as a theme song for the children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki.
Many people may also know it from Tsuyoshi Tsuruno’s later cover version.
The song depicts making up after a quarrel.
It’s not only fun to sing, but also perfect for reaffirming the importance of reconciling and cherishing friends.
Mysterious PocketSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru
“Fushigi na Pocket” is a fun song where cookies increase every time you pat your pocket.
It’s perfect for imaginative three-year-olds.
It’s also great to sing while actually patting your pocket.
If you use tools like an apron theater or paper puppets while singing, it can spark conversations with the children, such as, “What would you do if lots of cookies appeared?” They might also naturally learn how to count, like “one, two.” It’s a dreamy song where the cookies keep multiplying with just a tap.
Fruit TarōSakushi: Okuhara Yume / Sakkyoku: Bearuguraundo
“Kudamono Tarō” features fruit-themed characters who deliver fun songs and dances.
Lyrics are by Yume Okuhara and music is by Bearground.
With simple, easy-to-remember phrases about peaches, bananas, strawberries, and more, it’s perfect for use in early childhood settings.
Try dividing into parts and singing in turn, or perform gestures and dances that match the lyrics.
You could also wear outfits inspired by your assigned fruit.
Another idea is to create parody versions using the children’s favorite fruits.
Let’s get everyone excited with this nursery song that offers unique choreography and catchy tunes to enjoy with the kids!
Songs of Animals and Insects (71–80)
An animal song you'll want to copy!
Next, I’ll introduce some songs about animals that kids absolutely love. Children really enjoy imitating animals’ unique movements and sounds, don’t they? Let’s all become animals and have a blast together! Reference article:Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
Reference article:Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
Animal and Insect Songs (1–10)
Huh, where is it?NEW!Sakushi: Kanzawa Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
This is a very unique and fun fingerplay song where you search for where animals’ body parts are.
As you respond to the prompts by pointing “up,” “down,” and “sideways,” or by touching your own body, children’s powers of observation and curiosity will naturally be drawn out.
Written by lyricist Toshiko Kanzawa and composed by Nobuyoshi Koshibe, this piece has been loved across generations since it was included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho,” released in April 1992 as a related song to the NHK program Okaasan to Issho.
March, when children are on the verge of graduating or moving up a grade and you can feel their growth, is the perfect time for this—whether in nursery schools and kindergartens or at home spending one-on-one playtime with your child.
Enjoy warm springtime moments together with lots of laughter!
Crocodile family
What kind of family are crocodiles, anyway? This song features a crocodile family.
The crocodile father is shaving his beard, the mother is putting on makeup, and the older brother seems to be doing some strength training.
They don’t seem all that different from a human family, do they? With this song, you can pretend to be the crocodile family and have fun adding hand motions.
If you move your body energetically and express things humorously, it’s even more enjoyable.
Grown-ups, be sure to try the hand-play along with the children!