[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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Songs of Animals and Insects (31–40)
To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand
It’s a classic children’s song brimming with the joy and hope of living.
Through the sight of blood glowing red when sunlight shines through a hand, it gently conveys the preciousness of life.
Earthworms, dragonflies, frogs, and other creatures make appearances, and the warm melody teaches the wonder of living together.
The lyrics, imbued with Takashi Yanase’s deep sentiments, harmonize beautifully with the bright tune crafted by Tak Izumi.
First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962, it was performed by the Boys Jacks on the 1965 Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It later appeared in elementary school music textbooks and has continued to be cherished by many.
It’s a perfect cheer song for children swelling with hope as they take a new step forward.
Fingerplay Songs (31–40)
What nursery rhymes can you enjoy with physical movement?
Some nursery rhymes include hand games, and there are also songs you sing while playing. Here are some nursery rhymes that you can enjoy with children who are bored on rainy days when they can’t play outside, as well as songs recommended for bonding with babies! The choreography is easy to remember, so don’t worry! Reference article:[Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
Fingerplay song (1–10)
Are you okay? Whoops.Sakushi sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa
Tsubasa Suzuki’s finger-play songs are full of charm that brings smiles to children’s faces.
With surreal elements that include animals stumbling and falling, they turn into irresistibly funny tunes.
The rhythmic lyrics and cute choreography make it easy for kids to move their bodies and have fun.
This track is available on CD and via digital distribution, and is included on the album “Inai Inai Wao!” It’s also highly recommended for nursery and kindergarten teachers.
Sing and dance together with the children, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time!
Vegetable Song
“The Vegetable Song” is full of vegetable names.
It repeats parts of the names and distinctive features of the vegetables to make a fingerplay song.
It seems like kids can have fun singing while learning the names of vegetables.
The steady, simple rhythm makes it easy for little children to sing and play along.
You could probably adapt it to play with animal names or other foods, too.
Tengu fanwarabeuta
It’s a fun hand-play song inspired by the traditional Japanese yokai Tengu and a paper fan.
You sing while mimicking the flapping motion of fanning with a round uchiwa, which makes it perfect for fostering children’s imagination and expressive skills.
The lyrics are simple and easy to remember, and the rhythm is lively, so it’s enjoyable to repeat.
It’s also easy to incorporate into activities at kindergartens and nursery schools.
This song is included in “Asobi Uta 100” and is widely used in educational settings.
Singing and dancing together with your child will create a wonderful time full of smiles.
fig carrot
“Ichijiku Ninjin” is a counting song that uses the names of foods and plants.
The lyrics start with figs (ichijiku) and go on to list items like carrots (ninjin) whose names contain numbers.
The choreography matches the lyrics by raising fingers to show the numbers, and numbers 5 and above are shown with both hands.
By the way, the foods and plants that appear in this counting song actually vary by region, so some people may be more familiar with versions that include shiso (perilla) or tōgarashi (chili pepper).
Ochara-ka-hoi
Children have always loved the hand-clapping song that starts with the chant, “Se-se-se no yoi yoi yoi,” haven’t they? In this song, called “Ocharaka Hoi,” you alternately clap hands facing up and down with yourself and your partner, then play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner strikes a winning pose, and the loser takes a losing pose.
You repeat this over and over.
It’s a hand-clapping game that can go on forever.
the temple’s head monk
The temple monk—this hand game song is well-known, isn’t it? It uses hand movements to show the monk sowing pumpkin seeds and how they grow.
At the end, you play rock-paper-scissors.
The lyrics vary by region and generation, and there are many arranged versions; some take lots of detours while depicting the seeds’ growth process.