[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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Food Song (11–20)
Bento sausagesHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya
Obento Wiener is a fun song that depicts wieners anxiously waiting to see if they’ll be included in a field-trip lunchbox.
It was the January 2024 song on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.
The lyrics and music were written by musician Wataru Hirano, who also contributes songs to other NHK children’s programs such as Inai Inai Baa! and Otousan to Issho.
The lyrics portray the wieners nervously waiting to find out whether they’ll be placed in the lunchbox along with other side dishes.
It’s a song that may spark children’s interest in food.
Fruit TarōHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya
A whole bunch of different “Taros”—like Peach Taro, Banana Taro, Strawberry Taro, and Cherry Taro—show up, jostle each other shoulder to shoulder, and end up in tears.
Those tears mix together to become mixed juice and special juice in this energetic and humorous song.
This is “Kudamono Taro,” which appeared as the May 2022 monthly song on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.
The lyrics and illustrations are by picture-book author Yume Okuhara, and the composition is by BearGround, also known for the music in the puppet show “Garapiko Pu.” With its vividly colorful visuals and upbeat, fun melody, it’s a track that really grabs children’s hearts!
Gluttonous GhostSakushi: Murata Sachiko / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
This is a fun, humor-filled song that depicts a ghost peeking into the refrigerator in the middle of the night.
Its lyrics incorporate food shapes in a quiz-style format, and the bright, rhythmic melody is memorable.
Created by Sachiko Murata and Wakako Fukuda, the piece was also broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and is beloved by many children.
It’s a great song to sing with two-year-olds while imitating the ghost’s gestures, moving your body, and using your hands to show different food shapes.
It can also be used as a sketchbook theater activity in nursery schools and kindergartens.
A-I-U-E-O nigirisakushi sakkyoku/shuu saeko
This song features a lovely melody and heartwarming lyrics centered on the theme of rice balls (onigiri).
Broadcast in April 2001 as the Monthly Song on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” Shū Saeko’s piece has continued to be cherished by many since its airing.
In early childhood settings, it’s perfect as an introduction to food education activities.
It’s a song you can enjoy in many ways with children—singing together while naming fillings, adding hand-play motions, and more.
The Bento Bus SongSakushi sakkyoku: Shinju Mariko
This heartwarming song, written and composed by beloved children’s picture book author Mariko Shinju, depicts food items cheerfully boarding a bus.
Its rhythmic, catchy melody and lyrics that roll out ingredient names one after another create a lively atmosphere that makes you want to move your body.
Released in 2017 as part of King Records’ “Suku♪Iku” series, it also saw a new version by Icchi & Naru in 2025.
Widely used for hand-play activities in nurseries and kindergartens and as a tool for food education, this delightful track makes mealtimes more enjoyable—perfect for singing along while cooking in the kitchen or humming during lunchbox prep for a field trip.
Five melon breads at the bakery.Sakushi: Nakagawa Hirotaka / Sakkyoku: Igirisu dōyō
Shall we sing a fun fingerplay song themed around a bakery’s melon bread together with the children? It’s an adaptation of a traditional English nursery rhyme, arranged to be familiar and appealing to Japanese kids.
The fingerplay involves counting with fingers in time with lyrics that show the bread being sold, nurturing children’s imagination.
It’s often used in early childhood settings, and this work—through which you can enjoy playful counting with children via song—is sure to be a big hit both at home and in nursery or kindergarten!
A strawberry is a strawberry.Sakushi: Kotaki Kiyomi / Sakkyoku: Fujita Taishi
This is a charming song with a bright, rhythmic, and fun melody paired with heartwarming lyrics.
It was broadcast in May 1997 as the “Song of the Month” on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, with lyrics by Kiyomi Kotaki and music by Taishi Fujita.
The gently told story follows a protagonist who dreams of becoming a cake and, while chasing that dream, discovers their own true self—making it a song that enriches children’s imaginations.
Sung and beloved by Kentaro Hayami and Ayumi Shigemori, it was later carried on by Akihiro Sugita and Ryoko Tsumoda.
It is also included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album and has been cherished by many children.
It’s perfect for humming during walks or outdoor play, and for singing together on spring field trips or fun outings.
When sung with family, it’s sure to become a wonderful memory that shares the joy of spring.