Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs about insects.
Don’t worry—by insects we don’t mean the kind everyone dislikes, like cockroaches, but rather the beloved ones such as butterflies, ladybugs, honeybees, and red dragonflies.
The selection includes a variety of songs: newer children’s tunes, folk songs, traditional nursery rhymes, and classic playground songs.
Many boys in particular seem to love insects, so teaching them these songs might make them happy.
Cute insect songs are also popular with toddlers, so they’re definitely worth learning.
Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects (1–10)
cricket
The lyricist is Eiichi Sekine, best known for “Otsukai Arisan,” and noted for many children’s songs about insects such as “Kabutomushi” (Rhinoceros Beetle), “Ginyanma” (Spotted Glider/Dragonfly), and “Namekuji to Dendenmushi” (Slug and Snail).
The composer is Yasushi Akutagawa, who left numerous works for orchestra and film.
The cricket’s chirping is expressed in the same way as in “Mushi no Koe,” but this one is more suitable for younger children.
ladybug
Lyrics are by Aki Shimizu, and the composer Tsunae Kobayashi has written numerous children’s songs, including ‘Omachi-tsuki’ and ‘Mou Sugu Ichinensei.
‘ Among songs with the same title, this one seems to be the best known; however, there are over a dozen popular children’s songs that include ‘Ladybug’ in the title, which makes it quite confusing.
The sound of insects
One of the well-known songs about autumn is “Mushi no Koe” (Voices of Insects).
It first appeared in 1910 in the Elementary School Reader Songs.
In fact, this song has been around since before the war.
Its distinctive lyrics depict the sounds of insects, making it great fun to sing, and it remains beloved by children even today.
When you head into autumn knowing this song, you can’t help but want to listen carefully to hear what crickets actually sound like when you find one.
It’s a song that evokes the feeling of autumn—one we hope will continue to be sung for years to come.
Since its first publication, parts of the lyrics and the title have been changed.
hungry mantis
The lyricist for “Hungry Praying Mantis” is none other than Teruyuki Kagawa, the actor famous for his love of insects! He wrote the lyrics under the name “Professor Mantis.” Although the praying mantis is the protagonist, various insects appear one after another and get introduced.
The gentle mantis laments that he “can’t eat them because it would be too sad,” and together with the melody, the song has a comical feel.
Kids often love catching bugs, right? It’s also an educational song that teaches, “This is what this insect does.”
I can't stand it.
This isn’t a children’s song for kids who love bugs, but rather a song that expresses the feelings of adults who can’t even touch bugs now, even though they were fine with them as children.
The laid-back melody is unique and makes you chuckle, but it also conveys a firm “bugs are a no-go!” sentiment that people who dislike bugs will really relate to.
These days, with fewer bugs around us, more children are becoming uncomfortable with them.
This song affirms those feelings while also helping you learn the names of different insects, so I’d definitely recommend playing it for kids who aren’t fond of bugs!
To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand
Lyrics by Takashi Yanase, music by Tak Izumi.
It was played in the music segment of NET News Show, for which Takashi Yanase handled the script composition.
The following year, in 1962, it was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta, and in 1965 The Bonny Jacks covered it and it became a hit.
It was included in sixth-grade elementary school music textbooks and was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Songs.
Incidentally, “amenbo” (water strider) was originally sung as “namekuji” (slug).
dragonfly glasses
This is a set of lyrics written by Seishi Nukaga, a physician who lived in Hirono, Naraha District, Fukushima Prefecture, inspired by a scene he saw in 1948 while out on a house call: children playing with dragonflies.
The music was composed by Kōzaburō Hirai, and in 2006 it was selected as one of the 100 Best Japanese Songs.