[Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection

Crocodile familyLyrics by Maya Uetsubo / Music by Miné Yō

Crocodile Family ♪ | Lyrics & Choreography Children’s Song ・ For Seniors Too ♪ 〈Hand-Play Song〉 Nursery Rhyme Daycare Parenting Childcare Workers Babies Education Boram Eurhythmics

This is the children’s hand-play song “The Crocodile Family,” which is very popular with toddlers.

It’s often sung in preschool settings, too.

You make a crocodile’s mouth with both arms and open and close it to the rhythm of the song.

The family has five members: father, mother, big brother, big sister, and baby.

Besides the mouth movements, you can act out other motions—like the father shaving or the baby drinking milk.

It’s also fun to adapt it to your own family and create original actions.

Enjoy it together with your child!

Close It, Open Itnursery rhyme

[Children’s song] Musunde Hiraite / Daisuke Yokoyama

The children’s song “Musunde Hiraite” is a famous tune known by people of all ages.

You play along by making fists, opening your hands, and clapping in time with the lyrics.

Hand-play songs help develop a sense of rhythm, and this one also lets kids practice the rock-paper-scissors hand shapes.

At the end of the song, there are instructions on where to place your hands, so try changing it to fun spots kids will enjoy—like up or down, on their knees or head.

Once they get used to it, it’s also great to add movements they like, such as dancing while they play.

Tokyo-to Nihonbashichildren’s song

[Warabe-uta] Tokyo Nihonbashi

Let’s try the tickling game “Tokyo-to Nihonbashi.” Have your child hold out either their right or left hand, and touch the back or palm of their hand to the rhythm of the song.

Like climbing stairs, walk your index and middle fingers up their arm from the bottom to the top, then gently tickle different parts of their body.

At first, your child might look puzzled and wonder what’s going on, but after a few repeats they’ll start to enjoy it, thinking, “Where will I be tickled next?” It’s simple, so give it a try together as a parent and child.

five melon breadsLyrics: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Music: Traditional English folk song

[Finger Play] Five Melon Buns (with actions) [Takashi’s Hand Play & Children’s Song] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

Derived from an English nursery rhyme, the hand play “Five Melon Breads” captivates children with its regular rhythm and fun actions.

By repeatedly using phrases that count from one to five, kids naturally seem to grasp the concept of numbers.

The melon bread that appears many times in the song has its own storyline, allowing children to enjoy using their imagination.

By changing your voice and using broad gestures, you can have fun together with the children.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your handsKyu Sakamoto

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands ✨👏 [Pop’n Dance] Let’s dance together!

With its pop, cheerful melody and humorous choreography that matches the lyrics, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” has always been a hit with children.

Once they get used to the basic dance, try challenging them with different versions.

Add moves even to the parts of the song that don’t say “If you’re happy and you know it, ____,” or have the kids come up with their own ideas for the blank.

For example, they could tap their shoulders or give a wink—teachers are sure to be delighted by the children’s charming gestures.

men-men suu-suuchildren’s song

Memen-Susu ~Children’s Song 1~

The traditional children’s song “Menmen Suusu” is great for interactive play with babies.

Through this song, your child can become aware of their face and head parts.

Lay your child on their back and, in time with the song, gently touch their eyes, nose, eyebrows, ears, and mouth in that order.

If your child is around one year old, you might also try playing while they’re sitting, using their hands to join in.

Since it can be dangerous to touch the eyes directly, gently tap just below the eyes instead.

The fish jumps.

The Fish Jumps [Hand Play] Lyrics and Music: Hirotaka Nakagawa — Great for daycare and kindergarten practicums too! A summer hand game that’s fun even when you change the speed ✨

A refreshing hand game! Let me share some ideas for “Sakana ga Hanete” (Fish Jumping).

When you think of summer, many people probably imagine watersides like rivers and the sea, right? This is a unique fish-themed hand game you’ll want to use before fish-related crafts or dances.

Before starting the game, it could be fun to ask the children how they would react if a fish suddenly jumped—boing!—out of the water.

In this playful activity, fish hop onto different parts of the body and stick there, then keep transforming one after another—such a unique hand game!