[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)
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Hand play with a song everyone knows! Let’s introduce “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” It’s also one of the songs often sung as a lullaby.
How about incorporating it into your activities as a hand play this time? Imagine your palms as stars and express the sparkling, shining stars.
The choreography is easy to understand and doesn’t have any complex movements, so it seems enjoyable from infant to preschool classes.
Try adding “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to eurhythmics, morning meetings, or closing circles.
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!
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!
Tanabata RhapsodySakushi: Hashimoto Shinnosuke / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Shinichi
Tanabata Rhapsody is a song by Team Ichinosuke, a play-song unit made up of active childcare workers.
It’s included on their first mini-album, “① – Run! Children of the Earth.” The song depicts Orihime and Hikoboshi getting excited as the long-awaited Tanabata approaches, and children writing their wishes on tanzaku paper.
On Team Ichinosuke’s official YouTube channel, there’s also a dance that’s perfect for a school performance, so be sure to try it with the kids!
bamboo leaves and tanzaku (paper strips)warabeuta
The children’s song “Sasa ni Tanzaku” portrays people dancing to coincide with the Tanabata festival held at a temple.
There are many ways to enjoy the piece, such as singing it as a round or dancing in a circle around bamboo leaves as the lyrics describe.
If you wear a yukata and dance with a fan, you can soak up the summer festival atmosphere and enjoy the song even more! Because the short lyrics are repeated many times, even first-time listeners should be able to sing along after hearing it a few times.
In addition to the more well-known Tanabata songs, it’s nice to spend the day with a piece like this for a slightly different take on the holiday!
The Night of TanabataTeasobi uta
“Tanabata no Yoru” is a hand-clapping song played in pairs while singing.
Tanabata is the event where Princess Orihime and Prince Hikoboshi can meet just once a year.
This song also serves as a little fortune-telling to see whether the two will manage to meet on Tanabata.
While singing, you clap each other’s hands, and at the end, after counting “one, two, three,” both players put out either their right or left hand.
If the hands match, it means Orihime and Hikoboshi were able to meet.
Cute, isn’t it? Be sure to enjoy it at your Tanabata party!
