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

Tanuki of Fist Mountain

[With Vocals] Genkotsuyama no Tanuki-san – Animated Picture Book of a Children's Song and Fairy Tale

As a hand-play song, the nursery rhyme “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan” is something children can enjoy while playing.

It depicts a baby raccoon living on a mountain called Genkotsuyama, nursing from its mother and then falling asleep in her arms.

In the hand-play, matching the word “genkotsu” (fist) in “Genkotsuyama,” you start the song by alternately tapping your two fists up and down.

After that, you move your hands according to the lyrics.

At the end of the song there’s also a rock-paper-scissors part, so if your child has learned how to play, be sure to try that together too!

Donguri Korokoro

Donguri Korokoro

The children’s song “Donguri Korokoro,” starring the acorns that fall all over the roads in autumn, has actually been around since the Taisho era.

It has appeared in music textbooks and was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Songs.

The story tells of an acorn that rolls and tumbles into a pond, where it meets a kind loach and plays together.

But the fun is short-lived; the acorn starts to miss the place it came from, and a sense of loneliness sets in.

Its whimsical world where an acorn and a loach play, along with the lively melody, is sure to delight even babies!

Buzz buzz buzz

[Children’s Song Dance] Buzz, Buzz, Buzz♪

Even slightly scary bees can feel cute in this children’s song, “Bun Bun Bun.” Based on a folk song that was sung in Bohemia, Czechia, it depicts bees buzzing around flowers in search of nectar.

In Japan, as the title suggests, the buzzing sound of a bee is expressed as “būn,” but in German the sound is expressed a bit differently, so the title there is “Summ, summ, summ.” Honeybees are essential for the growth of beautiful flowers, vegetables, and fruits.

If you don’t bother them, it’s rare to have a frightening experience, so when you see them while out for a walk, try singing or listening to this song from a safe distance.

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

[Hand Play] What Shall We Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper? (Maatan)

“What Shall We Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper?” is a hand game that uses the rock–paper–scissors shapes: rock (gu), scissors (choki), and paper (pa).

You form each shape with your hands and combine them to make different things appear.

For example, make a rock with one hand and a paper with the other, place the paper on top of the rock, and you’ve got a helicopter.

You can stick to well-known shapes, but creating your own originals is also recommended! Try bringing out lots of fun things that will delight your baby.

TulipLyrics and Music by Miyako Kondo and Takeshi Inoue

[With Vocals] Tulips with Lyrics (Bloomed, bloomed) Children's Song

The children’s song “Tulip” features tulips in a variety of colors.

Its lyrics say that tulips blooming in different colors are all wonderful.

For babies who haven’t seen a tulip yet, it might spark excitement as they wonder what the flower looks like.

Beyond the colors mentioned in the song, tulips also come in pink, orange, and purple, as well as colorful varieties with multiple hues blended together.

When spring arrives and you start going out for walks, remember this song and try looking for tulips in many different colors!

Close It, Open It

Clap Your Hands (Kiroro Ayano’s Play Song)

The children’s song “Musunde Hiraite,” which is also loved as a hand-play song.

In time with the lyrics, you make your hands into fists and open palms, clap, and at the end move both hands to the top of your head or onto your knees.

The melody is based on one composed by the French philosopher and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and in Japan the lyrics were revised multiple times before becoming the current “Musunde Hiraite.” It’s of course fine for moms and dads to sing while doing the hand motions, but babies who can do it themselves can try on their own, and for babies who might find it difficult, gently hold their hands and guide them through the motions—they’re sure to enjoy it!

Under Yuuna’s treechildren’s song

Nursery rhyme “Under the Hibiscus tiliaceus Tree” a cappella, lullaby #Japanese lullaby

A gentle lullaby with the charm of a melody that feels like the calm breeze of a southern island.

Wind chimes resonate pleasantly in the shade of the yuna tree, and the deep love of a parent soothing a sleeping baby is sung in an unhurried tune.

Even the sound of the words “rin-rira-rin” gently wraps listeners in a sense of comfort.

Cherished and passed down since long ago across the islands of Kagoshima, this piece continues to be valued as part of local culture—appearing, for example, as material in a community theater production by the Tokunoshima Mixed Chorus.

Why not try singing it during those moments of lulling a little one to sleep?