[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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Autumn Songs (1–10)
Voices of InsectsSakushi sakkyoku: Monbushō shōka
When we think of autumn’s pleasures, maple leaves and the harvest moon certainly come to mind, but isn’t the chorus of insects that colors the long autumn nights one of them as well? It’s also the season when the songs of many autumn insects—like crickets and katydids—are at their most beautiful.
This is a delightful children’s song that sets those insects’ voices to lyrics, doubling the joy of autumn.
red dragonflySakushi: Miki Rofū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku
Among autumn children’s songs, this nursery rhyme is especially well known.
Mr.
Miki first wrote the lyrics in 1921, and in 1927 Mr.
Yamada set them to music.
It is said that Miki wrote it with thoughts of Tatsuno City in Hyogo Prefecture, where he spent his childhood, and it is filled with a sense of nostalgia.
It has been used as an insert song in films such as “Koko ni Izumi Ari” and “Yuyake Koyake no Akatombo,” and has been covered by well-known artists, making it very familiar to the Japanese people.
Bright Red Autumnsakushi: satsuma tadashi / sakkyoku: kobayashi hideo
In addition to composing set pieces for the NHK National School Music Competition, Hideo Kobayashi has created a wide range of choral works.
“Makkana Aki” (“Deep-Red Autumn”) is one of his children’s songs about autumn.
It has been broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta and sometimes appears in music textbooks.
Set to a very charming melody, the song features many red-colored things you see in autumn.
It portrays two people enjoying the season as they search for red things, which makes children want to imitate them.
It’s a highly recommended classic that lets you fully feel the spirit of autumn.
Autumn Songs (11–20)
rabbit
Many children have probably heard the story that on the night of the harvest moon, there’s a little rabbit pounding rice cakes up on the moon.
This folk song depicts the shining moon in the sky and a rabbit hopping as it gazes at it.
Said to have been sung since the Edo period, this work features a melody imbued with uniquely Japanese sentiment, and its lyrics were shaped into their current form from a 1941 school textbook.
Just as people rejoice at the beautiful full moon, the rabbit, too, must be brimming with happiness.
It’s also lovely to listen while gazing at the autumn night sky, with a plate of dumplings set out beside you.
Winter Songs (11–20)
A children's song that makes you look forward to the cold winter!
For kids who aren’t good with the cold, winter might feel like a tough season. But there are also lots of things you can enjoy precisely because it’s winter! There are plenty of events like New Year’s, Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), and Mamemaki (bean-throwing). We’ll introduce songs that will make you look forward to winter when you listen to them, so let’s enjoy the season without letting the cold get the best of us! Reference article:[Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
Winter Songs (1–10)
The Snowman’s MagicNEW!
The fun of building a snowman—and the bittersweet feeling when it eventually melts—is a special experience unique to winter.
Broadcast as the January 2007 song on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” this piece was performed by Yuzo Imai and Shoko Haida.
It was also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho: Latest Best—Kimi no Koe,” released in October of the same year, and has been loved for a long time.
Listen to it at the end of winter, and you’ll surely find yourself eagerly awaiting spring.
Enjoy it slowly with your child as you picture the scenes together!
white friend(s)NEW!
Shiroi Tomodachi (“White Friends”) charmingly captures the sensibility of calling snow a “friend.” Written and composed by Osamu Sakata, it gently portrays joyful memories with snow and a farewell brought by the arrival of spring.
It’s not just about parting, but also imbued with hope for reunion, creating a heartwarming world that leaves a strong impression.
It was broadcast as the Monthly Song on NHK E TV’s “Okaasan to Issho” in February 2006, and was later included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho: Latest Best – Ie Yei!!” released in October 2013.
Let’s decorate with holly.NEW!
This is a song often heard around Christmas, featuring a melody from Wales.
Its cheerful rhythm and repeating phrases are very striking, aren’t they? The tune itself is old, dating back to around the late 18th century, and the current English lyrics became established in the 19th century.
In Japan, it’s also a winter staple, included in many children’s albums and loved by many.
It’s perfect as background music for parties with family and friends!