Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun Songs for 2-Year-Olds to Sing! Recommended Song Collection

[Childcare] Fun Songs for 2-Year-Olds to Sing! Recommended Song Collection

Last updated:2025/8/22

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherDr. Chick
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherRisa Shibata
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

When children turn two, they become interested in many different songs, learn them quickly, and sing lots of them.

It’s an age when they can really feel how fun it is to sing.

This time, we’ve gathered many recommended songs for two-year-olds.

We’ve included seasonal songs and hand-play songs, so please try to find a favorite that your children will love.

Once they know a variety of songs, they might start requesting, “I want to sing that one!”Singing time will become much more enjoyable!

[Childcare] Fun songs for 2-year-olds to sing! Recommended song collection (1–10)

A-I-U-E-O nigiriLyrics and Music by Saeko Shuu

A-I-U-E Rice Balls [With Mother] Yuzo Imai & Shoko Haida (covered by UtaSuta)

A-I-U-E-O Rice Balls Lyrics and Music by Saeko Shu

This song features a lovely melody and heartwarming lyrics centered on the theme of rice balls (onigiri).

Broadcast in April 2001 as the Monthly Song on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” Shū Saeko’s piece has continued to be cherished by many since its airing.

In early childhood settings, it’s perfect as an introduction to food education activities.

It’s a song you can enjoy in many ways with children—singing together while naming fillings, adding hand-play motions, and more.

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Gluttonous GhostLyrics by: Sachiko Murata / Music by: Wakako Fukuda

Greedy Little Ghost (Okaasan to Issho) / Kentaro Hayami & Ayumi Shigemori

Gluttonous Ghost Lyrics by Sachiko Murata / Music by Wakako Fukuda

This is a fun, humor-filled song that depicts a ghost peeking into the refrigerator in the middle of the night.

Its lyrics incorporate food shapes in a quiz-style format, and the bright, rhythmic melody is memorable.

Created by Sachiko Murata and Wakako Fukuda, the piece was also broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and is beloved by many children.

It’s a great song to sing with two-year-olds while imitating the ghost’s gestures, moving your body, and using your hands to show different food shapes.

It can also be used as a sketchbook theater activity in nursery schools and kindergartens.

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Playing bus (pretend bus play)Lyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama

Bus Pretend Play (♪ We’re riding on a big bus ~ To our neighbor, hey!) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Children’s Song | BUS GOKKO | Vehicle Song, Eurhythmics, Nursery Teacher Exam Set Piece 2019

Bus Pretend Play Lyrics: Yoshiko Kayama / Music: Akira Yuyama

Many of you have probably heard this song about riding on a large bus.

“Bus Pretend Play” is a fun tune with a bouncy rhythm.

Because it includes actions like touching the child next to you and looking to the side or up, children can enjoy copying the teacher’s movements.

It’s perfect for two-year-olds who are getting used to music and getting better at imitation.

When the teacher sings with enthusiasm, the children will happily join in.

You’ll find yourself charmed by their adorable actions.

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strollLyrics by Rieko Nakagawa / Music by Joe Hisaishi

♪ Stroll – Let’s walk, let’s walk, I’m feeling great~ ♪ <with choreography> [Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro” opening theme]

Stroll Lyrics: Rieko Nakagawa / Music: Joe Hisaishi

The opening song of the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro, “Sanpo,” features lyrics written by Rieko Nakagawa, author of the picture book Guri and Gura.

This song, perfect for energetic children, seems to overlap with the image of two-year-olds whose abilities and desires are rapidly growing.

Singing it during morning circle time could be a great way to start the day full of energy.

It’s also fun to sing while going for a walk! It’s sure to become one of the children’s favorite songs.

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Number SongLyrics by: Yume Nijiji / Music by: Hajime Kotani

Numbers Song / With Mother / With Lyrics / For Children's Number Learning [Original Animation]

Song of Numbers Lyrics: Yume Niji / Music: Hajime Kotani

The birth of a children’s song that likens numbers to familiar things dates back to 1957.

Created by Mr.

Yumeniji and Mr.

Hajime Kotani, this piece imagines the numbers from 1 to 10 as friendly images like “a factory chimney” or “a raccoon’s belly,” making it full of playful number fun.

Its rhythmic melody is perfect for 2-year-olds just starting to sing.

Singing together with caregivers or friends can also spark important communication.

Be sure to enjoy it during morning circle time or at the end of the day, too!

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Mr. Ant on an errandLyrics: Eiichi Sekine / Music: Ikuma Dan

[Children’s Song] The Little Errand Ant / Daisuke Yokoyama

Errand-Carrying Ants Lyrics by Eiichi Sekine / Music by Ikuma Dan

“Otsukai Ari-san” is a delightful song featuring a playful scene where two little ants bump into each other with a “gottsun.” The bouncy accompaniment mimics the ants’ walking, and children are sure to sing along with sparkling eyes.

It’s also adorable to have them pretend to walk like ants, as in eurhythmics! If you depict the moment the ants collide using a sketchbook theater or paper puppets, children can sing with richer imagery, so it’s highly recommended.

It can also be enjoyed as an introduction to teach that bumping into friends can hurt.

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Five melon breads at the bakery.Lyrics: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Music: Traditional English nursery rhyme

♪ Five Melon Breads (with choreography)

Five melon breads at the bakery Lyrics: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Music: Traditional English nursery rhyme

Watch “Five Melon Breads at the Bakery” on YouTube (Lyrics: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Music: Traditional English Nursery Rhyme)

Shall we sing a fun fingerplay song themed around a bakery’s melon bread together with the children? It’s an adaptation of a traditional English nursery rhyme, arranged to be familiar and appealing to Japanese kids.

The fingerplay involves counting with fingers in time with lyrics that show the bread being sold, nurturing children’s imagination.

It’s often used in early childhood settings, and this work—through which you can enjoy playful counting with children via song—is sure to be a big hit both at home and in nursery or kindergarten!

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