RAG MusicJapanese Songs
Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[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!

[Childcare] Summer Songs: Full of Fun! Summer Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Clapping Songs (51–60)

Jiggly Wiggly Pool ExercisesKeroponzu+Fujimoto Tomohiko

This is a gymnastics song that captures the excitement you feel right before getting into the pool.

Set to the fun sound of “puru puru,” which evokes the chill of the water and the shiver in your body, it makes you want to move along.

The track is included on the album “Harunatsu Aki Fuyu: Gyōji Asobi Daisakusen!” released in July 2014.

It’s widely used as a warm-up exercise in preschools and kindergartens before summer pool activities begin.

Why not sing it together as a parent and child to express the growing anticipation of kids who can’t wait for water play?

Sea MarchKeroponzu Puppeezu

Umi March / Keropons & Puppies (Ryuzo Fukuda & Sukanpo) [Dance]
Sea MarchKeroponzu Puppeezu

This is a lively, march-style play song where you energetically parade with sea creatures.

It’s included on the album “Hello! Asobi-uta,” created by Keropons and Puppies, a unit born from the early childhood education field.

The choreography—twirling around while imitating sea animals, as if adventuring under the sea—is super cute! It’s perfect not only for sports festivals and school performances, but also for getting active at home.

Dancing together as a parent and child is sure to bring out children’s sparkling smiles.

Kaikaizokuzoku Pirate SongBonbon Akademī × Yokoyama Daisuke

[Collab Vol. 2] Kaikai Zokuzoku: The Pirate Song / BonBon Academy × Daisuke Yokoyama
Kaikaizokuzoku Pirate SongBonbon Akademī × Yokoyama Daisuke

This is a collaborative song by BonBon Academy and Daisuke Yokoyama that makes you want to set off on an adventure as a spirited pirate.

It tells the charming story of a lovable pirate who aims for Treasure Island without giving in to big waves, yet shows a slightly timid side.

The piece is included on Daisuke Yokoyama’s album “Egao ni Dokkyuun!” released in April 2024.

Sing and dance while playing pirate, and your home, daycare, or kindergarten will quickly turn into a ship setting out to find Treasure Island!

Mambo Jimbetatsu!Sakushi sakkyoku: Beppu Nodoka

[Dance Kids] Mambo Jim Betatsu! / gaagaaS [preschool/sea/fish/aquarium/sports day/recital/funny faces/parenting/children’s songs]
Mambo Jimbetatsu!Sakushi sakkyoku: Beppu Nodoka

This is a playful song where beloved ocean creatures like sunfish and whale sharks make one cheerful entrance after another to a lively beat.

Created by Nodoka Beppu, who draws inspiration from children’s smiles, the song features catchy phrases that make the most of the sounds of each animal’s name.

The video on the childcare website is also very popular, suggesting it’s widely enjoyed in real settings.

Dancing as if you’re ocean creatures might spark children’s rich expressive abilities.

[Childcare] Summer songs. Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & hand-play songs (61–70)

Creepy-Crawly Sports DaySakushi sakkyoku: Koharu (Charan Po Rantan)

[NHK] Zokuzoku Sports Day (Cover) – Okaasan to Issho, Suipappa, Aquarium ★ Okaasan to Issho [Children’s Songs, Nursery Rhymes, Hand Play, Kids, Dance] Japanese Children’s Song
Creepy-Crawly Sports DaySakushi sakkyoku: Koharu (Charan Po Rantan)

It’s a fun, exciting song that makes you thrilled just imagining an aquarium sports day.

The lyrics depict jellyfish and dolphins moving rhythmically, sparking children’s rich imaginations.

First released on an NHK E-Tele program in July 2018, the piece was later included as a video on Komoriuta, an album by Charan-Po-Rantan, the group to which the creator, Koharu, belongs.

Just move your body to the music and you’ll feel like you’re in an aquarium! It’s perfect for summer indoor play or parent–child time—everyone can sing and dance along with energy.

It’s summer—time for the pool!Sakushi • Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi

[Hand Play] It’s summer, it’s pool time ♪ <with actions>
It’s summer—time for the pool!Sakushi • Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi

A song packed with the fun of becoming underwater creatures—swimming smoothly like a frog, floating gently like a jellyfish, and playing in full character.

The cheerful chorus everyone can sing together will boost the excitement for water play.

Created by Naomi Abe, a leading figure in children’s music, this piece is also included on the February 2016 album “Asobiuta-den: Shunkashūtō Tora no Maki.” It’s perfect as a warm-up before getting into the pool—sing while moving your body with lots of energy! Make summer memories by imitating underwater creatures together as parent and child.

Squid squid dolphinSakushi: Shimoyama Kei / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

Squid Squid Dolphin [Uta no Mama Papa] Okaasan to Issho - Children's Song, Hand Play
Squid squid dolphinSakushi: Shimoyama Kei / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

It’s a song where changing just one character—“ru”—turns it into a different creature, showcasing a brilliant wordplay idea.

Written by lyricist Kei Shimoyama and composed by Wakako Fukuda, this piece comically portrays a mischievous dolphin and an ink-squirting squid! The song was first performed on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in January 1998 and was released as a single in August 1999.

The lively call-and-response lines in the lyrics make it perfect for parents and children to create their own original dance and have fun together.