[Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun hand-play songs and a nostalgic collection of traditional nursery rhymes and folk songs
July 7 is Tanabata.
Every year, you see large bamboo branches beautifully decorated in various places, don’t you? Have you decided on your wish to write on a tanzaku yet? In this article, we introduce children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes perfect for Tanabata.
We’ve gathered pieces themed around Tanabata, starting with the classic “Tanabata-sama” that everyone knows.
There are also songs you can dance to at nursery and kindergarten recitals, as well as hand-play games to enjoy at Tanabata parties.
Use this as a reference and enjoy a fun time with your child!
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[Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun Hand-Play Songs & Nostalgic Nursery Rhymes and Folk Songs (1–10)
The stars are good friendsboku to kimi.
Let’s have fun with a fingerplay! Introducing “Ohoshisama wa Nakayoshi.” This is a great idea for anyone looking for fingerplay activities that match the season or special events.
“Ohoshisama wa Nakayoshi” is a unique fingerplay where you use your palms as stars while you play.
The rhythm is pleasant and the tempo is gentle, so it can be enjoyed by a wide range of children, from infants to preschoolers.
The lyrics are cute too, so try singing and playing together with the kids.
It also works well as an introduction before a Tanabata craft activity!
Over the Milky WaySakushi • Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi
The Tanabata song “Over the Milky Way,” written and composed by Naomi Abe, pairs a beautiful melody with very unique lyrics.
It makes you think how fun it would be to become Orihime or Hikoboshi and do the things in this song—and imagine even more! It’s a piece that truly sparks children’s imaginations.
It’s sure to delight kids.
Be sure to sing it together at nursery schools and kindergartens.
Tanabata Tanabata-sanwarabeuta
The children’s song “Tanabata-san” is not just for singing—it’s a Tanabata song you can enjoy while playing a game.
The game is “Drop the Handkerchief”! Players sit in a circle, and someone secretly drops a handkerchief behind one person.
The rules are basically the same as the standard Drop the Handkerchief.
While everyone sings “Tanabata-san,” the runner drops the handkerchief behind someone.
If the person who’s been “dropped on” notices, they chase the runner; if they fail to tag the runner before the runner sits in the vacant spot, the person who was dropped on becomes the next runner (the “it”).
There’s also another version where players pass the handkerchief around the circle, and when the song ends, the “it” has to guess who is holding it.
Give it a try as an indoor activity on Tanabata!
[Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun Hand-Play Songs & Nostalgic Nursery Rhymes and Folk Song Collection (11–20)
Tanabata bustleboku to kimi.
A great and easy way to learn about Tanabata is the song “Tanabata Bata-Bata,” sung by the play-song creators Boku to Kimi.
The lyrics closely follow Orihime and Hikoboshi on the day of Tanabata and are memorable, making it perfect for studying the holiday with children.
You can also do hand motions to match lyrics like putting on makeup or shaving, so it’s ideal for Tanabata day activities.
It could be fun to think with the kids about getting ready for their ‘date’ and weave those ideas into the lyrics.
There are parts where you can shout energetically, too, so be sure to enjoy it together with the children!
I want to see you on July 7.
Let’s sing it to the melody of “Yankee Doodle”! We’re introducing “I Want to See You on July 7th.” Isn’t “Yankee Doodle” a tune everyone has heard before? This time, let’s enjoy the hand game “I Want to See You on July 7th” set to that melody! The choreography is short and simple, so it seems easy for both children and adults to try.
If you incorporate it along with the origin of Tanabata and the meaning of the festival, it should help deepen children’s understanding, too.
Everyone’s WishesKeroponzu
Get everyone excited at Tanabata parties and events! We’d like to introduce “Everyone’s Wishes.” At Tanabata, people write their wishes on tanzaku paper strips and hang them on bamboo branches.
While many write about things they want or dreams for the future, it originally seems to have been about wishing for improvement in one’s skills! In the song “Everyone’s Wishes,” children are interviewed about the wishes they wrote on their tanzaku—perfect for livening up a Tanabata-themed event.
Be sure to incorporate “Everyone’s Wishes” into your celebration!
little starSakushi: Tsuzuki Masuyo / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma
Let me introduce the well-loved song “Ohoshi-sama” (The Little Star).
Stars seem to twinkle brightly, don’t they? Have you ever thought about what that sparkle might represent? If you ask children, they’ll likely give you delightfully interesting answers.
The lyrics—suggesting that the stars are shining because they’re chatting with one another—are cute and unique, aren’t they? Planning some choreography together with the children would be a fun activity too.
By all means, try incorporating “Ohoshi-sama”!