[Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs
When the rainy season ends, summer finally arrives! Here, we’ll introduce a variety of children’s songs to help you enjoy the season.
We’ve gathered songs that kids love, as well as hand-play songs often sung in nurseries and kindergartens.
Listening to these songs will make you look forward to the long-awaited summer even more.
Hand-play songs are also fun for little ones, so be sure to incorporate them into your childcare activities.
While the days will be getting hotter, some children’s songs can make you feel cooler just by listening.
Enjoy a fun-filled summer together with the children!
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[Childcare] Summer Songs: Full of Fun! Summer Nursery Rhymes & Fingerplay Songs (81–90)
Ganbarappa☆Ganbarūn
“Gambarappa☆Gambarūn” is an uplifting song that gives you energy in the summer.
Its rhythmic melody and lyrics make it really charming.
You’ll feel more energized as you sing, so try singing along with some hand claps.
For older and middle kindergarteners, it’s also recommended to use instruments like castanets to make it even more fun.
On hot days when playing outside isn’t possible, using instruments while enjoying the song can help the children feel more united and have an even better time together.
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!
One, two, three
Let me introduce the upbeat song “One, Two, Three.” The lyrics feature animals like frogs and penguins.
It might be fun to change the way you jump for each animal, adding variety to your movements as you dance.
As you sing, it turns into an energizing song that fills you with hope and courage for the future.
Try dancing and enjoying it while imagining a bright future! Adding some hand claps might make it even more fun.
Mount FujiSakushi: Iwaya Kanao / Sakkyoku: Fushō
This is a children’s song and a Ministry of Education shoka (school song) with lyrics written by Iwaya Sazanami.
The composer is unknown.
It’s a famous piece that is also known by the title “Fuji-san.” Many people may have sung it in their childhood.
If you enjoy mountain climbing, you’ve probably heard it at least once.
[Childcare] Summer Songs. Full of Fun! Summer Children's Songs & Hand-Play Songs (91–100)
Sea Dance
There are many songs with an ocean theme, but we want to protect our beautiful seas and encourage people to learn about them.
With that wish in mind, let’s sing “Umi Dance” during the summer beach season.
Its upbeat, catchy rhythm makes it a lively number that’s perfect for singing and dancing together.
The charm of the song is that you can have fun while learning about what’s good and bad for the marine environment.
Through the song and dance, you can discover what’s important to keep the seas surrounding Japan clean and healthy forever.
If you come up with choreography and dance together, it will be great fun for school plays and recitals, too.
