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

Under the big chestnut tree

Under the Big Chestnut Tree | Song & Dance | For Ages 2–3 | Kodomo Challenge Pocket [Shimajiro Channel Official]

“Under the Big Chestnut Tree” — Isn’t this a familiar song that many adults also loved as children? The lyrics are very simple and easy to understand, and the vivid scenery they evoke is part of its charm.

Another appeal is the choreography that lets you move your whole body freely, almost like an exercise routine.

Once everyone has gone through it once and gotten used to it, it can be fun to try singing it a little faster.

Use your whole body and enjoy it to the fullest!

There's no such thing as ghosts.

♪ There’s No Such Thing as Ghosts (with gestures) – A Halloween Song [Japanese Song/Chant] / Halloween song

This cheerful song, “Obake Nante Nai sa” (“There Are No Ghosts”), brightens listeners’ moods and became hugely popular after being broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta and Okaasan to Issho.

It’s a song about that cute feeling of being curious about ghosts but still finding them scary.

The childlike, unique ideas for what to do if a ghost appears are amusing, too.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Kira Kira Boshi (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) | Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in Japanese | @supersimplejapanese

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a famous song that everyone knows.

In nursery schools and kindergartens, it’s often sung with choreography.

Children all love it, and even very young kids can remember it right away after hearing it once, thanks to its clear and lovely melody.

Why not listen to it while gazing at the twinkling stars in the sky?

It's fun.

[Children’s Song] “It’s Fun!” Let’s sing and dance together♪

“Tanoshii ne” is a delightful song that excites children’s hearts.

With its rhythmic lyrics and melody, it naturally makes kids want to move their bodies.

By singing along with hand claps and foot stomps, they can develop a sense of rhythm and cooperation.

It’s often used at kindergarten and nursery school events, and singing and dancing together fosters a sense of unity.

Singing with friends, teachers, and parents can also help nurture communication skills.

It’s a song you can enjoy anytime, anywhere—at home or outside—so be sure to sing it together with the children.

Choki-choki Dance

[Hand Play Series] Choki-Choki Dance

This “Choki Choki Dance,” as the name suggests, is a simple hand-play song that makes you want to dance and have fun.

In the song, you make a “choki” (scissor/peace sign) and do gestures and poses.

The energy is high, and there aren’t any particularly difficult parts, so anyone can jump in and enjoy it easily.

With joyful expressions like “Yay!” and “Peace,” it gets more and more fun as you dance.

It’s a lively hand-play song that will bring smiles, and I hope teachers and parents will sing it happily with the children!

Vegetable Song

♪Vegetable Song – Tomatoes go ton-ton-ton, cabbage goes kyak-kyak-kya~♪ <with gestures>

This song, whose lyrics directly express the names and characteristics of vegetables, is a hand-play activity that even infants can enjoy.

Clap your fists together with a “ton-ton,” point your index fingers with a “pi-pi,” and freely enjoy the gestures while following the pleasant rhythm of the words.

It’s also recommended to arrange the song by adding vegetables or fruits that don’t appear in the lyrics—find them together in picture books or field guides and incorporate them.

As you sing it repeatedly, children are likely to remember many vegetable names and their features! If you include it before lunchtime, it can also support food education.

It requires no preparation and can be enjoyed anywhere, so be sure to sing it together with the children.

Ice Cream Song

♪Ice Cream Song [with gestures] - Even a prince from a fairy tale couldn’t have eaten it long ago~♪

Characterized by an up-tempo melody and fun, bubbly lyrics, “The Ice Cream Song” was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta and Okaasan to Issho.

Since it centers on ice cream, which kids love, there are probably many children who adore this song.