Here are nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs for August that you can sing and enjoy! We’ve got a full lineup: songs that capture the fun of summer, tunes about tasty foods you’ll crave in the heat, and songs perfect for August events.
We also introduce tracks you can enjoy with fingerplays and dances, so try using them for indoor play during the sweltering summer or for activities in childcare settings.
Many are classic summer songs that have been passed down for generations, making them perfect for family time at home as well.
Teach children summer songs and enjoy a delightful time together while reminiscing about the past!
Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer Songs and Hand-Play Rhymes (1–10)
swim goggles
Swimming Goggles [Hand Play Song] Perfect for Summer!
This is a hand-play song that sparks imagination, inspired by peeking into the ocean world through “glasses” made with both hands.
As children search for sea creatures with hearts pounding—wondering, “What will we find next?”—they can experience the joy of discovery.
This piece is also included in the collection of songs supervised by Tanizou and released by King Records.
It could be fun to add your own original creatures while discussing, “Who will we meet next?” with your child.
Why not sing it together during indoor play on hot summer days or as a group activity at preschool?
[Summer Song] Go! Go! Pool ~Let’s Go to the Pool!~
The lyrics, which capture the excitement of heading to the pool and the fun of splashing around, are perfect for making summer memories! This work was released around the summer of 2022 by “Takemei Story,” a family YouTuber based in Shizuoka Prefecture.
It’s wonderful not only because it’s fun, but also because it cleverly adds meaningful learning into play.
Before heading out to the pool, get everyone in the family singing to boost the mood, or pretend you’re at the pool by dancing at home—let’s enjoy a lively, energetic summer!
[Dance] We’re Little Pirates! [A Must-See for Preschool Teachers!] [Supervised by Hiromichi & Tanizou]
This is a song that lets you pretend to be pirates, boarding a ship with your friends and setting off on an adventure across the open sea.
You can just picture the children diving into the world of the lyrics—spreading out treasure maps, working together to steer a big rudder, and having a great time.
The track is included on the album “Hiromichi & Tanizou’s Sports Day for Everyone, by Everyone, for Everyone! ~Request Best Selection~,” released in March 2021.
With its simple choreography, it’s perfect for sports days and recitals.
Why not face your friends, match each other’s energy, and enjoy a lively make-believe adventure?
[July August Summer Hand Play] Round-and-Round Sunflower 〈Must Read〉 Tips and variations for use in childcare are listed in the description below ↓ Lyrics/Music: Boku to Kimi.
A perfect hand-play song for summer by “Boku to Kimi,” who know the world of childcare and child-rearing support inside and out.
Like sunflowers that bloom energetically toward the sun, the simple motion of rotating your arms round and round brings smiles to children’s faces.
This song was introduced in a video prior to 2017 and has not been released on CD, but it has long been loved as a summer staple in childcare settings.
You can enjoy it a cappella without instruments, so start by rotating your arms to match the lyrics.
Once you get used to it, try spinning your whole body—feel free to adapt it based on the children’s reactions and have fun!
Creepy-Crawly Sports DayLyrics and Composition: 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
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.
Squid squid dolphinLyrics by Kei Shimoyama / Music by Wakako Fukuda
Squid Squid Dolphin [Uta no Mama Papa] Okaasan to Issho - Children's Song, Hand Play
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.
