[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!
- Nursery rhymes I want to sing in July: fun summer songs
- Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes
- [Sea Nursery Rhymes] Fun children's songs themed around the sea
- A collection of summer-like songs: tracks that go perfectly with summer, like the sea and the sky.
- [Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun hand-play songs and a nostalgic collection of traditional nursery rhymes and folk songs
- [Children’s Songs for June] Fun finger-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes perfect for the rainy season
- Summer song medley. Timeless and popular tracks that color the summer.
- Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
- Recommended summer songs for kids: Popular J-POP/Japanese hits [2026]
- Get pumped with kids’ favorite songs! A memorable collection of classics that will make you want to sing along
- [Sunflower Songs] A selection of classic and popular tracks that give you energy in the hot summer
- Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food
[Childcare] Summer songs. Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & hand play songs (71–80)
Morning on the Ranch
It is said that the lyrics of “Morning on the Ranch” were written with Iwase Farm in Kagamiishi, Fukushima Prefecture as their model.
The lyrics depict the ranch at daybreak, shrouded in mist, interweaving scenes of sound and light along with the people working on the ranch and the sheep.
Describing how morning arrives on the wide ranch and a new day begins, the song’s lyrics are also included in elementary school textbooks.
Asking children what kinds of animals might be on a ranch, or explaining the kinds of work people do there, may help them form a clearer image of the piece.
A quiet lakeside
“Shizukana Kohan” (Quiet Lakeside) is a German folk song to which Keizo Horiuchi added Japanese lyrics.
Its gentle tempo and catchy, memorable melody make it popular with children, who sing it cheerfully and with enthusiasm.
Because it’s a beloved song, many people of all ages know it, which is another reason it’s so enjoyable.
Forming a circle and holding hands while singing with the children can create a sense of unity and make it even more fun.
Since it’s a bright, lively tune, it’s also recommended for summer events.
wind chime
Hearing the sound of wind chimes in the hot summer gives you a sense of elegance, doesn’t it? With its relaxed tempo and gentle lyrics, “Wind Chimes” is a pleasant children’s song that evokes the feeling of summer.
It’s also great to sing while holding a baby for a nap or when they start to cry.
Showing what an actual wind chime looks like can make it easier to imagine the lyrics, too.
Try singing this wind chime song with children to make the summer heat feel cooler.
It might even become a song that reminds you of your summer memories.
Oh, the ranch is green.
Let’s move our bodies to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Oh, the Meadow is Green.” These ideas are perfect for summer, when the weather is nice and the air is crisp.
They’re especially recommended if you’re thinking, “What song should we sing this month?” or “I’m looking for something with a good rhythm!” The song “Oh, the Meadow is Green” is the Japanese version of the folk song “Ach, synku, synku”/“Ach, krásná louka” (often known in English as “Ah, Lovely Meadow”), which has been sung for a long time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
By adding some choreography, you can enjoy engaging with the music even more.
Story Finger
Something kids are sure to love! Here are some ideas for “Ohanashi Yubisan.” On hot summer days, you probably spend more time indoors, right? We recommend using “Ohanashi Yubisan” as an introduction before physical play, picture books, or craft activities.
Children will be captivated by the movements and singing of teachers or parents, and their attention will naturally gather.
Another nice benefit is that they can learn the names of their fingers while playing! Give it a try.