Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: a collection of classic songs you'll want to sing with your children
When you feel the arrival of spring, do gentle melodies of children’s spring songs ever come to mind? Wouldn’t it be lovely to share the warmth of the season and the beauty of nature with your child through seasonal songs? Children’s songs are made with gentle words and rhythms that are easy for little ones to enjoy, and they have the power to warmly embrace parent–child communication.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of children’s songs perfect for spring.
While out for a walk or playing at home, try finding a favorite tune and singing it together!
- March nursery rhymes & hand play songs! Spring songs you can enjoy with your kids
- [Spring Songs] Classic and Latest Hit Collections Perfect for a Bright, Gentle Spring
- [For Seniors] Spring Songs You'll Want to Hum: Feel the Season with Nostalgic Classics
- Nursery rhymes perfect for April: A collection of classic spring songs that capture the season
- [Spring Songs] Masterpieces for Mid-Spring to Listen to in March. Spring Tunes
- [Spring Songs] Masterpieces to Listen to in April: Classic Tracks that Color the Month
- Spring songs from the early Showa era: a collection of kayōkyoku and shōka that evoke spring
- Uplifting songs to listen to in spring. Classic spring tunes that warm the heart.
- [For Elementary School Students] Feel the Spring Vibes with Songs! A Collection of Classic Spring Tunes You'll Want to Sing
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Spring song medley. The best classic tunes to listen to in spring.
- Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
- A spring song with great lyrics. A lovely message that touches the heart.
Children’s songs to sing in spring: a collection of classics you’ll want to sing with your kids (1–10)
butterflySakushi: Nomura Akio / Sakkyoku: Supein min’yō
As a spring children’s song, “Butterfly” is practically indispensable—almost everyone knows it.
Like many nursery rhymes, it’s actually an overseas tune that later received Japanese lyrics.
The original is a German children’s song themed around a little boy named “Little Hans” who sets off on a journey.
While the first verse is by far the most famous, there are actually four verses: sparrows appear in the second, dragonflies in the third, and swallows in the fourth.
It’s one of those songs that instantly puts you in a spring mood the moment you hum it.
Opened, openedwarabe uta
Long beloved as a traditional Japanese children’s song, this piece enchants with lyrics that evoke the arrival of spring.
Children enjoy joining hands to form a circle and act out flowers opening and closing.
Despite its simple words and melody, it embodies Japanese views of nature and impermanence, giving it profound appeal.
It is often sung in kindergartens and nursery schools, contributing to children’s emotional development.
Passed down since the Edo period, this song is recommended for those who want to feel the spring season or experience traditional Japanese culture.
Why not sing it with your child and enjoy the coming of spring together?
spring breezeSakushi: Katō Yoshikiyo / Sakkyoku: Fositā
Born from lyrics by Yoshikiyo Kato and a melody by Stephen Foster, “Harukaze” (Spring Breeze) is a song that captures the arrival of spring and its refreshing feel.
The lyrics depict the spring breeze blowing in many places, conjuring light, pleasant imagery.
At the same time, there is a part that wishes the wind would not blow, evoking a small drama within peaceful everyday life.
This song lets you feel the warmth of spring while also tasting a touch of wistfulness and impatience.
It’s a piece that offers a comfortable springtime moment not only to children but also to preschool teachers.
Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: A collection of classics you'll want to sing with your children (11–20)
Teacher and friendsSakushi: Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi
Written by lyricist Osamu Yoshioka and composed by Nobuyoshi Koshibe, “Sensei to Otomodachi” (Teacher and Friends) helps ease children’s anxieties through cheerful interactions and gives them a positive start to their new lives.
The lyrics depict moments of bonding with teachers and friends—holding hands, exchanging greetings, and more.
Carrying a message that encourages kids to feel safe and adjust to a new environment, the song is also marked by a bright, easy-to-remember melody.
It’s a perfect springtime song to sing with children at the start of a new school term or when entering kindergarten.
Early Spring OdeSakushi: Ichimasa Yoshimaru / Sakkyoku: Akira Nakata
Early Spring Song (Soshunfu) is distinguished by its expansive, refreshing melody.
The title is read “Sōshunfu,” and it’s a school song with a very long history, first published in 1913.
The piece appears in lyricist Ichishō Yoshimaru’s collection New School Songs and features lyrics that captivate with their beautiful landscape imagery.
Incidentally, the character fu in the title is a word that, like the character for “wealth,” signifies treasures bestowed from the heavens.
The title Early Spring Song, which gracefully captures a spring that feels almost otherworldly, is lovely, isn’t it?
The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomSakushi: Katō Shōgo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru
The beautiful children’s song, born shortly after the war, vividly portrays fresh depictions of nature and feelings for a mother.
Through the view from a seaside hill, this work gently sings of a child’s pure heart and warm affection for their mother.
The depiction of a distant ship carries a sense of unattainable loneliness, evoking a deeply moving emotion.
Wrapped in warm light, it will continue to be a soothing piece that stays close to the hearts of many.
TulipSakushi: Kondo Miyako / Sakkyoku: Inoue Takeshi
Speaking of spring, it’s also the season when flowers begin to bloom.
How about singing “Tulips” (Chūrippu)? This piece was composed by Takeshi Inoue with lyrics by Miyako Kondo.
The song straightforwardly celebrates the beauty of tulips.
It’s said that Miyako Kondo came up with the lyrics after seeing tulips of various colors blooming in her home garden.
Let’s expand our imagination and picture just how those tulips might have been blooming.
