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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Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer Fun Kids’ Songs & Hand-Play Songs (81–90)
Hū-lala hoaloha lā~Lyrics and Music by Yumi Ishikawa
A song about the sea—especially one that captures the vibe of a tropical beach—is “Fūlala Hoaloha Lā.” The “Hula” in the title refers to hula dancing, and “Hoaloha Lā” means “friends.” The lyrics humorously portray various sea creatures, making you excited to hear which animal will appear next.
Another major appeal is its warm worldview that emphasizes “getting along with all kinds of creatures.”
Song of the cicadaLyrics by Yoshimi Sato / Music by Yoshinao Nakata
When you think of summer traditions, the sound of cicadas comes to mind, doesn’t it? Yet when you actually try to catch one and search with your eyes, they’re surprisingly hard to spot, so many people have probably relied on their calls to find them.
In this “Song of the Cicada,” the cicadas’ distinctive calls and the process of locating them by sound are depicted.
It sounds fun to go cicada hunting while singing this song, doesn’t it?
Dolphins are ZambracoLyrics: Tatsuo Azuma / Music: Shoji Wakamatsu
It’s an easy-to-follow song with a pleasant triple meter that conjures up images of dolphins leaping across the open sea.
It’s also fun because, after the dolphins, a variety of other creatures appear with amusing sound effects.
You can enjoy swapping in your favorite animals with original lyrics, and since the pianist’s hands are shown in large detail, it’s also a cool piece to try performing with piano accompaniment.
Song of the SeashoreLyrics by Hokkai Hayashi / Music by Tamezo Narita
Here is a song composed in 1916, in the early Taishō period.
Because it’s an old song, many of the lyrics may be difficult for children today to understand.
By carefully looking into their meanings, you may grow more attached to the piece.
The composer, Tamezō Narita, studied under Kōsaku Yamada, who had just returned from Germany, while Narita was at the Tokyo Music School.
With its beautiful melody and lyrics, and given that Japan is an island nation surrounded by the sea, the seascape is easy for Japanese people to picture in their minds, making this a song that evokes a deep sense of nostalgia.
seaLyrics by: Ryūha Hayashi / Music by: Takeshi Inoue
The children’s song “Umi” (The Sea), with its relaxed three-beat rhythm, evokes the image of waves rolling in and out.
This piece was created in 1941, the year the Pacific War began, as teaching material for first graders.
In Japan, a nation surrounded by the sea, it is said to have been made to reinforce militaristic education; however, because it was intended for first graders, it ended up being a simple song praising the wonders of the sea.
It was also designed as material for learning triple meter, so many people may remember tapping castanets or tambourines while singing it.
The ghost has come.Lyrics by Aramaki Shake
This is a children’s song featuring three unique little ghosts, expressed through hand motions.
It’s fun how the singing changes to match each ghost’s personality.
When children sing along with the hand play, it’s easier for them to grasp the imagery of the lyrics and develop their imagination.
There’s also a moment at the end to make a funny face, making it a playful and enjoyable piece that’s perfect for a preschool performance.
[Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August] Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs & Fingerplay Rhymes (91–100)
Goldfish's NapLyrics by Naruaki Kashima / Music by Ryutaro Hirota
In summer, we may find ourselves encountering the cool, refreshing sight of goldfish in a bowl more often.
Here is a children’s song that celebrates the graceful figure of such goldfish.
It was published in 1919, which shows it has been loved for a long time.
Because it’s an old song, some archaic words appear in the lyrics that children today might not understand.
The composer, Ryutaro Hirota, also wrote other charming pieces such as “Sparrow’s School” and “Come, Spring.” It might be fun to listen and compare songs by the same composer.