Nursery rhymes and play songs to enjoy with your baby. Gentle children's songs.

strollAzumi Inoue

Stroll (Self-Cover)

Once they can walk, I want to go for strolls together while singing this song! The piece that inspires that feeling is “Sanpo,” which is also used as the opening theme for Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro.

It depicts the exciting experiences and discoveries that await along the path when you head out for a walk.

It’s also great to listen to while chatting with your baby—like suggesting you go look for those creatures that appear in the song.

The bright, upbeat melody has a lively tempo that your baby is sure to enjoy!

My Neighbor TotoroAzumi Inoue

My Neighbor Totoro – Azumi Inoue (Full)

When it comes to Ghibli films that are approachable even for very small babies, My Neighbor Totoro is probably the top choice! The song with the same title as the anime, sung as the ending theme, features Azumi Inoue’s gentle voice and is a delight to listen to.

In the part where the character names are repeated over and over, a baby who’s just starting to talk might even try to imitate and sing along! The exciting, heart-thumping lyrics that bring to mind various scenes from the anime will give your little one wonderful dreams.

What color do you like?Lyrics and Music: Osamu Sakata

[Baby Stops Crying] What Color Do You Like? / Together with Mother (Covered by UtaSuta) [Crayon/Colors/Memorization Song]

Things with lots of colors really capture a baby’s interest, don’t they? From there, they gradually become interested in drawing too, which can inspire them to create all kinds of pictures.

A great way to introduce different colors to babies is this children’s song called “Which Color Do You Like?” As the title suggests, it asks “Which color do you like?” and gives various answers with different favorite colors.

The song paints a heartwarming scene where, because it’s their favorite color, that crayon gets used up before any of the others.

It’s exciting to imagine which color your baby will be most drawn to—and which one they’ll use up first!

Mr. ElephantLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

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

The children’s song “Zō-san” lets you feel the warm bond between a baby elephant and its mother.

The lyrics were written by Michio Mado, who also created famous children’s songs like “Yagi-san Yūbin” and “Ichinensei ni Nattara.” In this song, a baby elephant is teased by others for its long trunk, but it proudly embraces it, realizing it’s the same as its beloved mother’s.

The gentle duple-time melody would make a lovely lullaby.

Give it a listen with the wish that parents and children can stay as close as the elephant mother and child.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a picture book by American author Eric Carle that’s beloved around the world.

This song, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song,” sets that story to music just as it is.

Of course, it’s fun to read the book and follow the narrative, but following the story through music engages the imagination in different ways, so it’s highly recommended! Even babies can let their imaginations expand in their own way.

The melody is gentle, as if it directly reflects the relaxed world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so you can listen in a calm, unhurried mood.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beard

[♪ Song Anime] Ton Ton Ton Ton Grandpa with a Beard (Sung by: Icchi & Naru), Finger Plays

Tonton Tonton Hige Jiisan features all kinds of characters, like a bearded grandpa and a person wearing glasses.

It’s also popular as a fingerplay song where you act out the characters with your hands.

For the bearded grandpa, you place both hands in fists under your chin.

For the person with glasses, you make two circles with your hands and hold them over your eyes to look like you’re wearing glasses.

With its upbeat melody and visually engaging gestures, this song is fun even for babies to listen to!

Mr. Bear, Mr. Bear

[Warabe-uta] Mr. Bear, Mr. Bear

The nursery rhyme “Kuma-san, Kuma-san” imagines your baby as a cute little bear and can be used as a gentle exercise to move their arms and legs.

Move and bend your baby’s hands and feet to match the lyrics.

When moving their hands, it’s easier if Mom or Dad lets the baby hold onto their thumbs.

This song is also known as a jump-rope chant for playing double Dutch—children sing it while jumping and act out the movements in the lyrics.

With the hope that your child will enjoy those games when they’re older, use this song now to create a special bonding time between your baby and Mom or Dad!