[Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs

Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato

Swimming! Taiyaki-kun – Every day, every day, we’re grilled on the hot plate and we’re getting sick of it ~ (with actions) [Hand play / nursery rhyme]

This is a song by Masato Shimon that tells the story of a taiyaki who, fed up with its boring daily life and dreaming of freedom, runs away to the sea.

Released in December 1975, the song became a massive hit, topping the charts for 11 consecutive weeks as an insert song on the children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki.

Many listeners likely remember the taiyaki’s seafaring adventure set to a wistful melody—and its slightly bittersweet ending.

Through this piece, you can not only imagine the unique sight of a taiyaki setting out to sea, but also take the opportunity to think together with your child about the deeper question: What does freedom really mean?

Spotted garden eel!!Ryūzō Fukuda · Kazuto Ozawa

Garden Eels!! / Ryuzo Fukuda & Kazuto Ozawa (Featuring: Ryuzo Fukuda & Chisato Kawasaki)

It’s a fun exercise song that lets you pretend to be that unique creature popping its head out of the ocean sand.

I’ve heard it’s popular at preschools as a “warm-up dance.” The track was created by the unit of Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa, and Skanpo, and was included on the album “Marutto Minna no Asobiuta,” released in July 2019.

With simple choreography that gently sways the body, it can help loosen children up while building their excitement for the activities to come.

water playSakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro

Water Play — Songs and Nursery Rhymes to Enjoy in July and August — #play #childcare #nurseryteacher #children #athomeplay #musicplay #songplay #eurhythmics #introduction #nurseryrhyme #summer #July #August #infants #toddlers #piano

It was included in the Kindergarten Song Collection published in 1901.

Using colloquial lyrics to create nursery songs for young children was considered groundbreaking at the time.

With its simple and short lyrics, it’s a song that even little children can enjoy clapping and playing along to.

Row the boat

[Song] Rowing the Boat – Summer Song, Nursery Rhyme, Children's Song ♪

We’d like to introduce the hand-play song “Ofune o Koide,” which is perfect for keeping things fun and cheerful even in the hot summer.

Moving in a way that feels like you’re rowing a boat to a pleasant rhythm naturally brings smiles to everyone’s faces.

The lyrics convey scenes like swaying waves and blowing wind, letting you feel as if you’re actually out at sea on an adventure.

It also sounds fun to sit facing a friend, hold hands, and do it together! Adding a sound effect like “Splash!” between sections of the song will make it even more exciting.

Give it a try for inspiration!

The Goldfish’s Nap

Goldfish’s Nap ♪ [Children’s song / nursery rhyme] Cute goldfish in a red kimono ~ with lyrics animation / Japanese kids song

The relaxed song “Goldfish’s Nap” is a popular children’s nursery rhyme.

If you sing it as a lullaby at nap time, some kids find it so soothing that they fall asleep right away.

The gentle movements of the goldfish—and the moments when it seems to pause completely—are adorable and make it feel as if the goldfish itself is napping.

The lyrics are easy to remember, so if you sing it repeatedly, children can sing along.

It’s also recommended to sing it together with a picture book that features goldfish.

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