Nursery rhymes I want to sing in July: fun summer songs
July, the beginning of summer, is hot but such a fun season, isn’t it?
How about singing joyfully in the hot summer to blow the heat away?
To prevent kids from getting heatstroke, spending time indoors singing fun songs is also recommended!
Here, we’ve gathered classic children’s songs and ones often sung at nurseries and kindergartens.
There are songs you can enjoy with hand play, too.
There are lots of songs children love, so sing and play together and feel the summer!
You can have a great time at home as well.
Use this as a guide so both kids and adults can have fun together!
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Nursery rhymes to sing in July: Fun summer songs (41–50)
Let's invite that girl and go to the beach.Lyrics by Takao Ide / Music by Wakako Fukuda
It’s a song that makes your heart dance, like setting off on an adventure to the sea with friends.
The lyrics are wonderfully charming, expanding children’s rich imaginations with images of daydreaming about mermaids and pretending to be pirates! This piece was performed on NHK E-Tele’s “Okaasan to Issho,” with the audio released in March 2015, and it’s also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho Special Stage: Welcome to the Midsummer Party.” With its light, danceable rhythm, it might be perfect for lively playtime where kids can move their bodies energetically with their friends.
Ms. HimawariLyrics by Kyuichiro Koharu / Music by Yoshinao Nakata
A song that portrays everyday summer life from a child’s innocent perspective, as if talking to a big flower under the blazing sun.
Lively scenes like playing with water guns and wearing straw hats also appear, making it easy to picture a joyful summer day just by listening.
This work is known as a classic often loved in childcare settings.
In addition to singing it at nurseries and kindergartens, it might be nice to sing it at home with your child, using hand motions to share the fun of summer.
Swim! Taiyaki-kunMasato Shimon
This is a song by Masato Shimon that tells the story of a taiyaki who, fed up with its boring daily life and dreaming of freedom, runs away to the sea.
Released in December 1975, the song became a massive hit, topping the charts for 11 consecutive weeks as an insert song on the children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki.
Many listeners likely remember the taiyaki’s seafaring adventure set to a wistful melody—and its slightly bittersweet ending.
Through this piece, you can not only imagine the unique sight of a taiyaki setting out to sea, but also take the opportunity to think together with your child about the deeper question: What does freedom really mean?
Fish HeavenHiromi Shibaya
Created to promote eating fish, this piece is a familiar tune from the fresh seafood section at supermarkets.
The lyrics feature 31 types of seafood, including Pacific saury and scallops, and convey the fun of eating fish.
It’s perfect for sparking children’s interest in fish and marine life.
After its debut in 1991, the CD release in March 2002 became a major hit, making the song widely known across generations.
Singing and dancing to it with your kids might make your time at home even more enjoyable.
Spotted garden eel!!Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa
It’s a fun exercise song that lets you pretend to be that unique creature popping its head out of the ocean sand.
I’ve heard it’s popular at preschools as a “warm-up dance.” The track was created by the unit of Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa, and Skanpo, and was included on the album “Marutto Minna no Asobiuta,” released in July 2019.
With simple choreography that gently sways the body, it can help loosen children up while building their excitement for the activities to come.
Watermelon-producing region
Speaking of summer, it’s got to be watermelon! That’s a classic line from way back, right? The repeating, distinctive lyrics are the secret to why kids love it.
When I see the children’s beaming smiles as they do the hand motions to this song, I can’t help but feel that a fun summer has arrived! You can enjoy it not only with hand play, but also by dancing with your whole body—together with lots of friends!
Row the boat
We’d like to introduce the hand-play song “Ofune o Koide,” which is perfect for keeping things fun and cheerful even in the hot summer.
Moving in a way that feels like you’re rowing a boat to a pleasant rhythm naturally brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
The lyrics convey scenes like swaying waves and blowing wind, letting you feel as if you’re actually out at sea on an adventure.
It also sounds fun to sit facing a friend, hold hands, and do it together! Adding a sound effect like “Splash!” between sections of the song will make it even more exciting.
Give it a try for inspiration!