[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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Winter Songs (1–10)
I like winter.NEW!
This piece was broadcast on “Okaasan to Issho” as the Song of the Month in January 1995.
The lyrics were written by Shinzo Higurashi, and the music was composed by Takeshi Shibuya.
Its rhythmic words capture the uniquely wintry chill in the air and the way we cool down warm food.
The bright melody leaves an impression, teaching us that there’s fun to be found even in the cold.
Give this classic winter song a listen with your child, snuggling close and letting it fill you with a toasty, heartwarming feeling.
during winterNEW!
This is a charming song with a gentle perspective that imagines what fans and wind chimes sleeping in the closet, and acorns in the soil, dream about during the winter.
It was broadcast on NHK E-Tele’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the Monthly Song for January 2017.
The song is included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album Plus “Yakusoku Haaai!”, released the same year.
It’s a perfect piece for the season of eagerly awaiting spring—please enjoy it in a warm room!
peta peta pettankoNEW!
This is a very fun hand-play song themed around mochitsuki, a traditional New Year’s custom.
Children love the motions of pounding and rolling mochi to the rhythmic sounds! It first aired as the “Song of the Month” in April 2004 on NHK E-TV’s “Okaasan to Issho,” with lyrics by Kanako Suzuki and music by Toji Akasaka.
It was also included on the album “Kodomo no Uta Best 25,” released in September 2004.
It uses lots of onomatopoeia and is easy to remember, so even little kids can imitate it right away.
The Ball and the LordNEW!
A classic children’s song from the early Showa era, sung to a buoyant, lively rhythm.
With lyrics by Saijo Yaso and music by Nakayama Shinpei, it first appeared in the January 1929 issue of the magazine Kodomo no Kuni.
The song tells a unique story: a handball slips from a girl’s hands, jumps into a daimyo procession for the sankin-kotai, sets off for Kishu, and in the end turns into a mandarin orange.
It is very familiar in Wakayama Prefecture; in fact, it was once used as the onboard chime for the JR limited express Kuroshio to announce arrival at Wakayama Station.
As a New Year’s temari (handball) song, it’s perfect for enjoying with children while moving your bodies together.
YukifururunNEW!
This is a winter children’s song that expresses snow falling from the sky with cute words and rhythm.
It was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the song for February and March 1988, performed by Osamu Sakata and Yuko Kanzaki.
The lyrics were written by Rumi Ono, and the music was composed by Wakako Fukuda.
There’s a hand play that imitates snowflakes landing on your palms, making it perfect for parent–child interaction.
Even on cold days, let yourself be wrapped in a gentle melody that warms the heart.
Winter’s Daughter, Rikka-RokkaNEW!Watanabe Kaori
You can picture a scene where pure white snow is dancing down from the sky.
This song originally aired on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the “Song of the Month” for January 2014.
With a rhythmic, charming play of words, it lightly portrays a world of ice and snow.
How about listening to it on a snowy day indoors while moving your bodies together with your child? It will surely warm your hearts!
Christmas Where Angels SingShinzawa Toshihiko
On Christmas night, if you listen closely, you can hear angels singing…
This is a Christmas song that paints a quiet and mystical scene.
Lyrics and music are by Toshihiko Shinzawa, and it is performed by Satoko Yamano, who was active as the “singing sister” on NHK Educational TV’s Yukai na Concert.
It was included in the album “Christmas SONGS” released in September 2015 and produced as a sheet music book with CD for preschools and kindergartens.
It’s perfect for gently singing together as a parent and child while savoring the quiet feeling of Christmas night! It’s also recommended to incorporate puppet staging for Christmas party performances.
Enjoy the special atmosphere of this holy night together with your child.