[For 4-year-olds] Popular and classic songs to sing at recitals and seasonal events

rainbowLyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa / Music by Hirotaka Nakagawa

♪ Rainbow – The garden shovel stays wet all day long ~ ♪ (with gestures)

The song “Niji,” which everyone can sing together, is a simple, warm piece that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

When it rains, we sometimes feel sad because we can’t hang out the laundry or the events we were looking forward to get postponed.

But when a beautiful rainbow stretches across the sparkling sky after the rain, those sad feelings just blow away.

Even children who don’t like rain will surely start looking forward to the clear skies after singing this song.

Be sure to try singing it on a rainy day.

To the Sun in the Palm of Your HandLyrics by Takashi Yanase / Music by Taku Izumi

♪ With hand palms to the sun [with gestures] - We’re all alive, and because we’re alive, we sing 〜 ♪

Since it was featured on Minna no Uta in 1962, “Tenohira wo Taiyou ni” has been beloved by many children.

The lyrics were written by Takashi Yanase, with the music crafted by Mariko Miyagi.

The words, which portray the mystery and vitality of life, are sure to energize both singers and listeners.

Another charm of the song is how easy it is to add simple choreography that matches the lyrics, such as raising your hands or mimicking animals.

Adding movement while singing can help you immerse yourself even more in the world of the song.

Ganba RangersYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata

Ganba Rangers (Okaasan to Issho) - Sung by NEUTRINO (with lyrics)

The exciting intro really gets you pumped! Let me introduce “Ganba Rangers.” It’s one of those wonderful songs that sing about the warmth of family and how much we care for one another.

This song was presented as the song for May 2025.

Both the lyrics and music are by Masashi Sada, a renowned creator of many classic tunes.

The lyrics are sprinkled with themes of family love and the feelings children have, and even though the melody is upbeat, you might find yourself moved to tears as you listen.

It’s a poppy number you’ll want to sing along to with your kids.

We are explorers of the future.Izumi Tachibana

We are explorers of the future.

This is a song whose lyrics talk about setting out for the future, and it’s exciting to sing.

You can march to the rhythm, stomp your feet, sway your body as you sing, or even come up with simple choreography and dance along—it’s all fun.

We don’t know exactly how the idea of “the future” appears to children, but if you ask questions like, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” or “What do you think life will be like in the future?”, their imaginations will grow, and I’m sure it will lead to wonderful singing voices.

The railroad tracks go on forever.

"The Railroad Goes On Forever" Sung Energetically! 4-Year-Old Preschooler Uta Kuroda Sings ♪ [Popular Song from the Children's Nursery Rhyme Contest]

This song, which sings of railroad tracks stretching on forever, gives a wonderful, hope-filled impression of moving toward the future while traveling by train with friends.

When you sing it while imagining the changing scenery—over hills and fields—it makes you feel the excitement of setting off on an adventure.

Since it first aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in December 1962, it has been loved for many years.

In 2021, the rock band Yabai T-Shirts Yasan arranged it as a commercial song for “Momotaro Dentetsu,” which became a hot topic.

How about singing it at a recital with everyone linked together like a train? Holding hands or putting arms around each other’s shoulders while singing will deepen the joy of cooperation and the sense of unity.

It’s a highly recommended piece that can bring out children’s smiles with a lively, spirited chorus.

Children all over the world

♪ If all the children of the world (with gestures) If all the children of the world laughed at the same time ~ ♪ [Hand-play/Children’s song]

Why not dance energetically to the song “Sekai-jū no Kodomo-tachi ga,” whose lyrics wishing happiness for children around the world are truly moving? You can have fun with simple choreography—march in place while swinging both arms, or hold hands with your friends.

Choreography using sign language is also popular, so this is a great chance to try a sign-language dance.

If you slow the tempo a little, it also works well for a chorus.

Please feel free to use it for a variety of recreational activities.

Randoseru RunLyrics by Naomi Abe / Music by Naomi Abe

“Randoseru Run” Lyrics & Song Included (Recommended for 4-year-old class)

It’s a bright, hopeful song that expresses both the admiration of younger children saying “How cool!” to the older kids, and the feeling of “Congratulations” for a new beginning.

With its buoyant rhythm, you can feel the excitement of becoming an elementary school student.

Written and composed by early childhood education specialist Naomi Abe, the piece was included in December 2023 in the song collection “With Feelings of Congratulations: 75 Best Songs for Graduation and Enrollment.” If you’re performing it at a recital, it would be lovely for the children to wear handmade paper school backpacks.

That will heighten their sense of longing and make for a moving stage.

By all means, try singing it at events celebrating advancement or graduation from kindergarten.