![[Music Play] Children’s Recreational Music: Rec Songs You Can Sing and Play](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/_4AyAv_xE8o/maxresdefault.webp)
We’re introducing playful songs and recreation songs that you can enjoy with children!
We’ve gathered a wide variety—from classic folk dance and campfire songs to rounds, hand-play songs, and playful tunes perfect for bus activities.
They’re all songs that everyone will say, “I’ve heard this before!” so you can use them for recreation with confidence.
The folk dance songs also come with choreography tutorial videos, so please use them as a reference.
Let’s sing together and have a wonderful time!
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[Music Play] Recreational Music for Children: Rec Songs You Can Sing and Play (1–10)
Picnic
With its energetic melody, “Picnic” livens up both bus activities and the walk to the destination.
It’s based on the American song “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain,” and in Japan it’s also well known that WANIMA sang a parody version, “Yatte Miyou,” in an au commercial! The song cheerfully depicts the road to the picnic, warming children’s hearts as they look forward to the fun to come.
There’s a section where animals appear and you imitate their sounds, so it works great as a call-and-response between the teacher leading the group and the children.
Country Road
Country Road, the theme song from Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart, is a great pick for sing-alongs on the way to field trips or camping.
It’s a version of the 1971 song by American singer John Denver with original Japanese lyrics.
During the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Japan’s national team drew attention by singing a parody version titled Victory Road.
The song conveys a hopeful feeling that a wonderful view surely awaits at the end of the road you keep walking.
It boosts the excitement and anticipation for the fun times that lie ahead on your upcoming trip or camp!
Jenka
The folk dance “Jenka,” which originated in Finland.
In Japan, many people—depending on their generation—likely danced it many times at school sports days.
Set to a monotonous, endlessly looping melody, you step out twice with each foot starting from the right, then repeatedly jump forward and backward in the sequence: forward, back, forward, forward, forward.
Dancers form lines or circles and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front.
If you miss the jumping sequence, you might step on someone’s feet or nearly fall, so be careful.
Because the team has to move in sync, it really fosters a sense of camaraderie!
Child of Abraham
It’s a slightly surreal game where you dance along to lyrics that are a bit mysterious.
It originally came from an American folk song, but Japanese lyrics were added and it spread nationwide, mainly through the YMCA in Japan.
There’s a record sung by Masato Shimon, known for “Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun,” and that version is probably the best-known audio.
As for how to play, you sing the same lyrics each time, and with every repeat you add another body part to move.
As more and more parts get added, the dance becomes harder—and more fun.
Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called ‘Jingisukan’)
If you’re looking for a fiery melody that’s perfect for a campfire, look no further than Dschinghis Khan! It’s a song by the German music group Dschinghis Khan, and in Japan it drew attention when it was used in the synchronized swimming scene of the drama Water Boys.
It has been covered many times by Japanese artists like Berryz Kobo and Kome Kome Club, as well as by artists overseas.
It can be hard to catch what the lyrics are about at first listen, but its intriguing vibe and catchy melody have made it popular with many people.
There are also versions with Japanese lyrics, so sing and dance with energy—matching the power of the campfire flames!