Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food
“Food” is something very familiar to children, isn’t it?
When they start speaking, many first learn words like “mamma,” or they remember the names of their favorite foods.
In this article, we’ve picked out “songs about food” from among many nursery rhymes.
We’ll introduce plenty of songs that feature foods kids love, like fruit, bread, and curry rice.
Some of them aren’t just for singing—you can enjoy hand games and dancing, too.
Even children who find eating difficult or are picky eaters might enjoy singing these songs.
It would be great if singing during mealtimes helps them have more fun and eat a little more.
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Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about food (21–30)
Potato Jaguar
From the intro, it’s exciting! Let me introduce an idea for “Potato Jaguar.” The song “Potato Jaguar” was broadcast on the TV program “Minna no Uta” from December 1991 to January 1992.
Right from the start of the track, you can hear sounds that capture children’s interest.
The lyrics are cute and the tempo is pleasant, making it perfect for kids! It could also be fun to come up with choreography together with the children.
Be sure to give it a try.
Tonton Tomato-chan
With its gentle vocals and refreshing melody, “Ton-ton Tomato-chan” is perfect as a July children’s song! Speaking of summer vegetables, there are tomatoes, cucumbers, and more.
Celebrating the tomato, which is delicious even in summer, “Ton-ton Tomato-chan” has a pleasant rhythm and is a nursery rhyme that even babies from 0 years old can enjoy.
Its comfortable tempo also makes it a relaxing song.
It’s also recommended to move your body to the music with kids while holding maracas or handmade instruments.
Have fun with it!
Sticky Samba
With its catchy tune that sticks in your head after just one listen, “Neba-Neba Samba” features melodies and lyrics that make you want to dance.
Along with the lyrics about “neba-neba” (sticky/slimy), lots of foods that evoke that texture appear.
It might be fun to imagine them and see how many you can find.
From around age two, it’s also recommended to ask questions like, “What kinds of sticky foods are there?” It could be enjoyable to include the song as part of summer food education as well.
Vegetable SongSatoko Yamano
Welcome to the wonderful world of vegetables! This song, hugely popular with children, is full of clever ways to help them learn the names of vegetables in a fun, rhythmic way.
With sounds that express the names and characteristics of veggies like tomatoes and cabbage, just listening will fill you with excitement.
Accompanied by Satoko Yamano’s bright and gentle voice, the vegetables make their appearances one after another.
This piece is included in many children’s music albums.
It’s also recommended for nutrition education time or for singing together with kids who aren’t fond of vegetables.
If you sing while moving your body, it becomes even more fun!
The Bento Bus SongLyrics and composition by Mariko Shinju
This heartwarming song, written and composed by beloved children’s picture book author Mariko Shinju, depicts food items cheerfully boarding a bus.
Its rhythmic, catchy melody and lyrics that roll out ingredient names one after another create a lively atmosphere that makes you want to move your body.
Released in 2017 as part of King Records’ “Suku♪Iku” series, it also saw a new version by Icchi & Naru in 2025.
Widely used for hand-play activities in nurseries and kindergartens and as a tool for food education, this delightful track makes mealtimes more enjoyable—perfect for singing along while cooking in the kitchen or humming during lunchbox prep for a field trip.
The Bento Box SongLyrics by Yoshiko Kayama / Music by Akihiro Kobayashi
This is a fingerplay song, beloved by children, that cheerfully introduces the contents of a lunchbox.
Miyako Kayama’s warm lyrics perfectly match Akihiro Komori’s bright, friendly melody, resulting in an uplifting tune.
It’s fun to sing while doing the hand motions, and the lively storytelling is part of its charm.
Released as a single by Nippon Columbia in August 1978, the song was featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and the Nippon TV network’s “Ohayō! Kodomo Show,” gaining widespread popularity.
It’s a delightful song that makes moments centered on food—like packing lunches or getting ready for a field trip—even more enjoyable.
Goodbye, ankoro mochi.
A playful wordplay centered on the traditional Japanese sweets “ankoro mochi” and “kinako,” imbued with the wish to meet again, leaves a strong impression.
By singing with hand games and gestures, it nurtures children’s creativity and communication skills.
In nursery schools and kindergartens, puppets are often used to perform it so that children can enjoy their farewell time.
Passed down for many years as a traditional song, this piece has been included in numerous childcare-related books and CDs as a teaching material that supports children’s emotional development.
It’s also a recommended song for parents and children to enjoy singing together while experiencing Japan’s traditional culture.