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!
- [Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs
- [Children’s Songs for June] Fun finger-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes perfect for the rainy season
- [Sea Nursery Rhymes] Fun children's songs themed around the sea
- Children’s Songs You Can Sing in August: Summer-Friendly Kids’ Songs and Fingerplay Rhymes
- Children’s songs to sing on a rainy day / children’s songs with a rain theme
- [Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun hand-play songs and a nostalgic collection of traditional nursery rhymes and folk songs
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
- A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.
- [Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
- Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
- Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months
Nursery rhymes to sing in July: Fun summer songs (51–60)
Hey! SeaLyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa / Music by Naosumi Yamamoto
When you think of summer, many of you probably picture the blue ocean.
In times like that, we recommend this song, “Hey! Ocean,” which lets you feel the sea’s vastness and beauty, as well as the gentleness and power of nature.
The lyrics are charming, as if you’re really speaking to the ocean, making it perfect to sing with energetic children full of summer spirit.
Move your body to the bright, free-flowing melody and rhythm, and you’ll likely feel your spirits lift! Try singing from your diaphragm, imagining your voice carrying far into the distance.
Whale Clock
With lyrics by Kazuo Seki and music by Takeshi Shibuya, this song was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” In the lyrics, a whale floating in the sea appears, and a seagull flies over to ask it the time.
The whale’s reply is a kid-pleasing pun that’s absolutely adorable.
As a sea-themed song, it’s a cool, refreshing tune perfect for July.
It’s one you’ll want to sing at least once when heading to the beach or when pool season starts at kindergarten or daycare.
Let's dance, Ondo!
This is a participatory Bon Odori song that everyone can enjoy moving their bodies to.
The comical vocals and lively rhythm combine to create an atmosphere that naturally makes you want to dance as you listen.
The choreography that matches the lyrics is easy to follow, making it perfect for getting everyone excited at preschools or local summer festivals.
With moves like fireworks and hand claps, you’ll listen on with anticipation, wondering what comes next.
The instrumental tones are vibrant, and the balance with the vocals is exquisite.
A major appeal is that children can shout along, move their bodies, and have fun together.
Whether dancing in yukata or hero costumes, this song lets you fully feel the bustle of summer.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Hand play with a song everyone knows! Let’s introduce “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” It’s also one of the songs often sung as a lullaby.
How about incorporating it into your activities as a hand play this time? Imagine your palms as stars and express the sparkling, shining stars.
The choreography is easy to understand and doesn’t have any complex movements, so it seems enjoyable from infant to preschool classes.
Try adding “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to eurhythmics, morning meetings, or closing circles.
Nursery rhymes to sing in July: Fun summer songs (61–70)
What shall we make with rock-paper-scissors? Tanabata version
Let’s try arranging a classic hand game! I’d like to introduce the Tanabata version of “What Can You Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper?” This idea is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy Tanabata, the once-a-year festival.
Many children are probably familiar with the hand game “What Can You Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper?” This time, let’s try a Tanabata-themed arrangement! The choreography and lyrics inspired by Tanabata are so cute.
Be sure to give it a try!
I want to see you on July 7.
Let’s sing it to the melody of “Yankee Doodle”! We’re introducing “I Want to See You on July 7th.” Isn’t “Yankee Doodle” a tune everyone has heard before? This time, let’s enjoy the hand game “I Want to See You on July 7th” set to that melody! The choreography is short and simple, so it seems easy for both children and adults to try.
If you incorporate it along with the origin of Tanabata and the meaning of the festival, it should help deepen children’s understanding, too.
Wish Upon a Star
We would like to introduce “When You Wish Upon a Star,” a song used in Disney’s film Pinocchio.
As one of the world’s most beloved classics, “When You Wish Upon a Star” is likely a tune everyone has heard at least once.
Try adding simple hand motions to the relaxed rhythm and beautiful melody.
The choreography follows the lyrics, making it easy for both children and adults to learn.
Consider incorporating “When You Wish Upon a Star” as this month’s featured song or as the theme song for your Tanabata event.