[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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Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (51–60)
Norimaki Pera Pari Ondo
The song “Norimaki Perapari Ondo,” which kids love, is a perfect summer tune and comes highly recommended for festival bon dances.
The catchy “perapari perapari” lyrics have a lively tempo that gives the intro a sense that something fun is about to begin.
The dance is simple and easy to learn, so children around age three can enjoy dancing to it as well.
It’s perfect for the summer festival season, too.
Dressing in yukata or jinbei to enjoy the festivities is a great idea.
Be sure to sing it and make it part of your summer memories.
A Drop of Star
With its bright rhythm and easy-to-understand lyrics, “Hoshi no Hitoshizuku” is a cheerful song that makes you want to dance when you hear it.
If you start the intro with handclaps, everyone can match the beat and dance together.
Try swaying your body energetically to the lyrics as you dance.
You might just find yourself smiling without even realizing it.
Its captivating rhythm and lyrics are enjoyable for children of all ages.
It could be a big hit to sing at events like Tanabata, too.
Magic Shoes
Listening to it makes you feel positive—“Magic Shoes” is the perfect song for the start of summer when you want to try something new! It’s also popular with children and teachers.
The lyric “put on your magic shoes” is so adorable, isn’t it? It’s a thrilling song that makes you feel like taking on new challenges or going out somewhere.
With its bright tempo, try singing it together while happily chatting about your favorite shoes.
Yokai Shiritori
The song “Yokai Shiritori” features all kinds of yokai in its lyrics.
Listen closely to hear which yokai appear.
Since it’s structured as shiritori, you might also enjoy it as a kind of wordplay.
It could be fun to ask the children which yokai they like and work their original yokai names into the song to get everyone excited.
It’s a tune that can be enjoyed in many settings, such as summer festivals or overnight daycare events in the summer.
By all means, try creating a new yokai song together with the children.
Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (61–70)
Sticky Samba
With its catchy tune that sticks in your head after just one listen, “Neba-Neba Samba” features melodies and lyrics that make you want to dance.
Along with the lyrics about “neba-neba” (sticky/slimy), lots of foods that evoke that texture appear.
It might be fun to imagine them and see how many you can find.
From around age two, it’s also recommended to ask questions like, “What kinds of sticky foods are there?” It could be enjoyable to include the song as part of summer food education as well.
Picnic
With its lively, energetic rhythm, “Picnic” is a sprightly song that makes you want to start walking.
Ducks, goats, dogs, and pigs appear in the lyrics.
Try singing while imitating their animal sounds! If you ask the children what sounds each animal makes before singing, they’ll be able to enjoy the song more while understanding its meaning.
Since it’s a song about heading to the fun place that is a picnic, sing it brightly and cheerfully with the children.
Yaho-ho
Lyrics that call out like “Yah-ho-ho!” are so much fun to sing, aren’t they? Some children might call out with energetic voices.
In those moments, try replying with a cheerful “Yah-ho!” like an echo—it makes things even more fun and is highly recommended.
Enjoy varying the volume of your voice, making it louder and softer.
Open your palms and add a motion as if you’re raising them toward the sun while you sing.
And at the end, try singing even more energetically!