Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.

The Bear of the Forest

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Mori no Kuma-san – The Bear of the Forest

“The Bear in the Forest,” a song we often played around with using all sorts of goofy parody lyrics, is also great for karaoke.

Everyone knows it, from little kids to the elderly, so it really gets the crowd going.

Before you know it, everyone’s singing along in a big chorus! If people from different regions get together, it might be fun to share the kinds of parody versions you used to sing.

carp streamer

♪ Koinobori – Carp Streamers | Carp Streamers Higher Than the Rooftops; The Big Black Carp Is Father [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Koinobori is a song that makes you feel happy just by listening.

The lyrics were written by Miyako Kondo, and it has reportedly been sung since 1931.

It remains popular—selected for the Japan 100 Songs in 2007 and included on the 2019 album “Akari Oneesan no Nikoniko Henna Uta.” Above all, it’s an essential song for Children’s Day on May 5.

Fitting for a song sung on Children’s Day, its waltz rhythm fills you with excitement.

Still, it’s a tune that both kids and adults can enjoy singing together any time, not just on Children’s Day.

aye-aye

Ai Ai (with hand motions)

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!

Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

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

Spring has come.

Spring Has Come [Children's Song] Spring has come ♪ Where has it come? ♪

Even people who are now elderly almost certainly sang “Haru ga Kita” when they were children.

Amazingly, this children’s song has been sung continuously ever since it was published in the 1910 compilation Shinjō Shōgaku Tokuhon Shōka.

Its simple lyrics and the uplifting feeling of spring’s arrival make it a delightful tune.

If you’re wondering what to sing at karaoke with your child, this is a highly recommended choice.

I hope parents and children will enjoy singing it together at karaoke as a way of passing it down from one generation to the next.

Your child is sure to love it!

Ogre's Pants

Japanese Children’s Song – Demon’s Underpants 3D! – Oni no Pants

“Funiculì, Funiculà” is an Italian song composed in 1880.

Based on this tune, a children’s parody version was created and became widely established as “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants).

The lyrics simply sing about how sturdy an ogre’s underpants are.

After being introduced with vocals by Seiji Tanaka in 1975, it was released as a single by the Victor label five years later in 1980.

It drew attention at the time, with portions of the lyrics even appearing in a popular manga.

Donguri Korokoro

Japanese Children’s Song – Donguri Korokoro 3D! – Donguri Korokoro

When you think about it, it’s pretty strange and funny that almost everyone in Japan knows a song about an acorn rolling and falling into a pond.

That universally known “Donguri Korokoro” actually gets the crowd going when you sing it at karaoke.

Try singing it together with everyone.