Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

There are so many nursery rhymes that are popular with children!

There are songs about animals, songs about food, songs about the seasons—the themes are varied, and each song has its own mood.

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of especially cheerful songs from among the most popular nursery rhymes all at once!

We’ve gathered lots of songs that will put you in a happy mood whether you listen to them or sing along.

Please sample the songs we introduce below, and be sure to enjoy listening to and singing your favorites!

A collection of cheerful children’s songs: tunes that make you feel happy when you sing them (91–100)

Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

Japanese Children’s Song – Doyo – Omocha no Cha Cha Cha – Omocha no Cha Cha Cha

Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

Many people sang “Omocha no Cha-Cha-Cha” when they were little, right? In fact, among children’s songs, this one is actually on the more difficult side in terms of rhythm and pitch.

But once you’re an adult, that level of complexity can actually make it easier to sing.

It’s a song where everyone—kids and adults alike—can get excited together, adding hand claps during the “cha-cha-cha” parts.

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aye-aye

Ai Ai (with hand motions)

aye-aye

Since its release in 1962, this children’s song has been beloved by many and is often sung on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” While the title could have been “Osaru-san” (“Little Monkey”), the cute and catchy “Ai Ai” might make it easier to remember.

The chorus features call-and-response, so it’s a great song for everyone to get excited together at karaoke!

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A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes: songs that make you feel happy when you sing them (101–110)

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

What shall we make with rock, paper, scissors? ♪

What shall we make with rock, scissors, paper?

Speaking of children’s songs, many of them are fun because you can enjoy them with choreography.

This song, which you can enjoy as a choreography song, also gets everyone excited at karaoke.

Of course, you can try creating your own original version, but performing something in front of the kids that you wouldn’t normally do or make in a kindergarten or nursery school gets a big laugh.

It’s fun when everyone tries it together, and even adults can enjoy it.

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