Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes
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!
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[Nursery Rhymes to Sing in August] Summer-Friendly Children’s Songs & Hand-Play Songs (71–80)
tea pickingnursery rhyme
Hachijūhachi-ya, which marks the changing of the seasons, is the 88th day from the first day of spring (Risshun).
On the calendar, summer begins on this day, and it traditionally served as a cue for farmers to start picking tea.
It’s said that drinking the first-picked tea (ichibancha) harvested on this day will keep you healthy and free from illness for the year.
Speaking of Japanese tea, Shizuoka—the country’s top tea-producing region—Kyoto’s Uji tea, and Saitama’s Sayama tea are especially famous.
In the fresh-green season of early summer, many of you may also know the children’s hand-clapping song that begins with “Ses-ses-se—no yoi yoi yoi,” a folk-style tune that evokes Japan’s pastoral scenery.
butterflied sardine(s)
Sardines, herring, Pacific saury, and salmon—these are common fish on the dinner table, but for some kids, is fish a “miss” on the menu? Here’s a hand-play song about butterflying fish, with a very lively “Zun-zun cha-cha” rhythm.
It’s so fun it might spark kids’ interest in fish.
And the highlight of the song is a giant fish(?) that appears at the end.
Turning that one into a butterfly cut would be quite a scene.
Find out what it is by listening to the song!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
The period from August 1 to August 7 is “Star Week — a Week to Get Familiar with the Starry Sky,” established to help people feel closer to the night sky and stargazing.
The summer night sky features many constellations, making it perfect for astronomical observation.
The children’s song Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which sings about the starry sky, actually originates from a chanson that was popular in late 18th-century France.
Beloved around the world, it’s also popular in Japan as a lullaby.
Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer Fun Kids’ Songs & Hand-Play Songs (81–90)
Watermelon-producing region
Speaking of summer, it’s got to be watermelon! That’s a classic line from way back, right? The repeating, distinctive lyrics are the secret to why kids love it.
When I see the children’s beaming smiles as they do the hand motions to this song, I can’t help but feel that a fun summer has arrived! You can enjoy it not only with hand play, but also by dancing with your whole body—together with lots of friends!
Slurping somen noodles
When it comes to hand-play perfect for summer, “Somen Tsurutsuru” is the one.
It’s a hand-play song about somen noodles, which most people eat at least once in the summer.
You twirl your hands around and mimic eating somen—it’s very simple choreography, so even little kids can enjoy it.
Different types of somen appear in the lyrics, and the movements change depending on the type.
Even children who’ve never eaten somen might learn about it through this hand-play and think, “I want to try it!” If you’re looking for a summer hand-play activity, this is recommended!
Toiretsha March
Many people might wonder, “Why a toilet song in summer?” In fact, August 10 is “Toilet Day”! This song is a toilet-training tune made for toddlers who aren’t fully out of diapers yet.
Even when you invite them to the toilet, many parents hear, “No! I don’t need to go!” and end up cleaning the floor after accidents.
August is warm and a good season for training, so why not have fun with toilet training while listening to this song? The lyrics let kids pretend to be a train on the way to the toilet, so they might enjoy going more!
It's summer—time for the pool!Lyrics and Composition by Naomi Abe
When you think of summer fun, many kids would probably say the pool! The song “It’s Summer, It’s Pool Time” is surely one that will get children excited.
It was written and composed by Naomi Abe, who has worked as a kindergarten teacher and principal and is now active as an early childhood education researcher.
Pools are fun on their own, but the lyrics also feature familiar waterside creatures as well as animals you usually only see at aquariums.
It’s a fun summer song that sparks the imagination.