Lovely children's song

Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs that almost everyone has heard at least once, like “Elephant,” “The Policeman Dog,” and “Aye-Aye.” Because they’re made for little kids, looking at the lyrics again really shows their pleasing sound, easy-to-follow stories, and skillful word choices.

Famous nursery rhymes that have been sung for generations are perfect for parents and children to sing together.

This time, we’ve also selected many songs that you can do hand motions with, so be sure to enjoy singing along together!

Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals (11–20)

Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-cat

[Hand play] Kobuta Nuki Tsuneko ♪ (Maatan)

Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-cat

Kobuta Nukitsune Ko is a song written and composed by Naosumi Yamamoto, who is also a composer and conductor.

It is loved by children as a hand-play song as well.

The lyrics are easy for children to understand, and it’s memorable how the animals link together like a word chain.

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I Stepped on the Cat

I Stepped on the Cat (with gestures)

I Stepped on the Cat

Many people may have heard this song at least once when they were little.

The unique lyrics are appealing, but the melody is also very distinctive.

For those just starting to learn the keyboard, this is often one of the first pieces they try.

In the song, there’s a storyline about accidentally stepping on a cat.

It’s fun to sing while expanding your imagination with children and picturing the world of the song.

For hand play, try adding your own original dance as you sing.

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Mr. Elephant

“Elephant – Zou San | Elephant, elephant, your nose is so long, isn’t it? [Japanese Song / Children’s Song]”

Mr. Elephant

This is a song with lyrics by the poet Michio Mado.

It features a gentle exchange between a mother elephant and her baby set to a relaxed melody.

Although the song is simple, the way it captures their physical characteristics and the “I’m just like you, Mommy” kind of parent-child dialogue is quite profound, isn’t it?

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Black Cat Tango

Tango of the Black Cat

Black Cat Tango

It’s a children’s song born in Italy in 1969.

As the title suggests, its distinctive feature is its tango style.

It’s sung not only in Japan but all around the world.

The original record has sold over 9 million copies, making it a true classic among classics.

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A Little Bear in the RainLyrics: Masao Tsurumi / Music: Akira Yuyama

A Rainy Little Bear (♪ It rained on the mountain ~) by Himawari / With Lyrics | June Children's Song [100 Best Japanese Songs]

A Rainy-Day Bear Cub Lyrics by Masao Tsurumi / Music by Akira Yuyama

This song depicts an adorable bear cub observing its surroundings in the rain.

You can vividly picture the cub’s innocent curiosity as it delights in the rain, peers into a brook, and looks for fish.

First featured on NHK Television’s “Uta no Ehon” in June 1962, the song was later included in school textbooks and became widely beloved.

A picture book based on the song, “Amefuri Kumanoko” (The Little Bear in the Rain), has also been published, so it’s fun to enjoy it alongside the book.

It’s a heartwarming children’s song that will make you look forward to rainy days.

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The Bear of the Forest

Japanese Children’s Song – Doyo – 3D Mr. Bear of the Forest – 3D Mori no Kuma-san

The Bear of the Forest

As a children’s song featuring animals, this one is a true classic! It depicts the surprising moment of encountering a bear in the forest.

However, the bear turns out to be kind, picking up the earring the young lady dropped.

It’s a cheerful song that conjures up the image of a cute bear.

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Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals (21–30)

little fox

Little Fox - Little fox, ring-ding, in the mountains, in the mountains ~ (with choreography) [children’s song, school song, piano accompaniment]

little fox

It seems like a fashion-loving fox—perhaps a girl fox? Autumn looks fun with nuts and colorful leaves, but it seems hard to dress up in winter.

A fox that feels similar to humans is very endearing.

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