[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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- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
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- [For 4-year-olds] Popular and classic songs to sing at recitals and seasonal events
- Fun to dance! A roundup of recommended dance songs for young children, perfect for daycare and sports days
Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (21–30)
It’s fun.sakushi: yamauchi kazuko / sakkyoku: terashima naohiko
When you sing it, you naturally want to clap your hands and sway your body to the rhythm—That’s Fun! Its theme—that clapping and singing together with everyone is so much fun!—is perfect for children’s choir.
It encourages kids to notice the unique joys of group singing, like comparing the sound of clapping your own right and left hands with the sound of clapping your hands together with a friend, and listening closely to the voices around you as you sing.
Let’s look at one another—friends and teachers alike—add some movements, and enjoy singing together.
Green light from the blue sky
Known as a song from “With Daddy,” “Blue-Sky Go Sign” is a lovely track that gives the impression that once you take the leap, there are wonderful days waiting under the blue sky.
The blue sky feels like the start of a fun time, doesn’t it? It’s a song that’s enjoyable just to sing, so how about singing it while keeping rhythm with castanets or a tambourine? It also works great as a dance number—with lively choreography, it’s perfect for events like sports days.
your smileHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya
“Kimi no Egao” first appeared as the theme song for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” broadcast in September 1985.
The song was written by Kazuki Takase (lyrics) and Yoshinori Tanaka (music).
It celebrates the brightness and happiness brought by children’s smiles, featuring a simple, warm melody.
With heartwarming lyrics perfect for a children’s program, it evokes the bond between parents and children.
It gently conveys a kindness that helps smiles spread naturally in everyday life.
Even today, it remains beloved by both children and adults.
Spring MeadowSakushi: Sakata Hiroo Sakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharu
This is a children’s song by poet-lyricist Hiroo Sakata and composer Toshiharu Ichikawa, a pioneer of educational music, depicting a foal galloping across a pasture.
It sings of a lively young horse running about in the spring breeze, with fresh grasses and flowers sprouting all around.
It has been included for many years in lower-grade music textbooks, featuring a comfortable vocal range and an easy-to-remember melody that thoughtfully draws out children’s natural singing voices.
It is featured in Educational Art Company’s elementary school music textbooks for the 2020 and 2024 school years, with accompanying teacher’s CDs and beginner piano scores available.
Expressing the vibrant feeling of spring through a bright, light rhythm, this piece is perfect for choral singing in early childhood settings as a new season begins, or for family sing-alongs at home.
If your child loves ranches or animals, try singing it together for fun!
Watch the CarnivalYokoyama Daisuke / Ono Atsuko
Let me introduce “Miteté Carnival,” a song that’s so fun it lifts your spirits just by listening! It aired in June 2024 on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics and music are by Takumi Murata, who is also the leader of the rock band “Carnavacation.” He creates music that fuses Brazilian sounds with pop, and he works on many songs for children as well.
For example, he wrote the September 2023 monthly song “Ninjin Engine Rocket” and the exercise song “Kao Taisou.” Through his music, Murata hopes to make the world as joyful as a carnival.
Be sure to sing along with your kids and make every day a little more fun!
Dango Three BrothersSakushi: Satou Masahiko / Sakkyoku: Horie Yoshiro
Dango San Kyodai was written specifically for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics were by Masahiko Sato and the music by Yoshiro Horie.
It became so popular that it turned into a social phenomenon, so many of you may already know it.
The song features uniquely quirky lyrics that express the feelings of dumpling brothers skewered on a stick.
Set to a tango rhythm, its light, breezy melody unfolds in a way that makes it perfect not only for singing but also for trying some dance moves.
Why not take on this children’s song to liven up events like school performances and recitals?
Ganba RangersHanada Yuuichirou, Nagata Maya
The exciting intro really gets you pumped! Let me introduce “Ganba Rangers.” It’s one of those wonderful songs that sing about the warmth of family and how much we care for one another.
This song was presented as the song for May 2025.
Both the lyrics and music are by Masashi Sada, a renowned creator of many classic tunes.
The lyrics are sprinkled with themes of family love and the feelings children have, and even though the melody is upbeat, you might find yourself moved to tears as you listen.
It’s a poppy number you’ll want to sing along to with your kids.