Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherDr. Chick
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

May is the season when fresh green leaves shine brightly and playing outside becomes so much fun.

On walks, you can hear many little birds and feel the pleasant breeze, which lifts your spirits.

At times like that, why not spend the moment singing children’s songs that let you feel the joys of spring?

We’re introducing many songs—from ones that capture the comfortable feeling of May to tunes perfect for spring field trips and fun outings.

Let’s sing children’s songs that you can enjoy together with May’s nature—everyone with friends and family!

Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Perfect songs for the fresh green season (21–30)

Summer has comeLyrics by: Nobutsuna Sasaki / Music by: Sakunosuke Koyama

Summer has come

Natsu wa Kinu. Lyrics: Sasaki Nobutsuna / Music: Koyama Saku-no-suke

It’s still a little early for summer, but May is when we start to feel summer in the warm weather.

Perfect for May, the beginning of early summer, is the song “Natsu wa Kinu.” At first glance, “kinu” might make you think that summer hasn’t come, but in old Japanese usage it actually means “summer has come.” The lyrics mention various things you can see in May.

When you start seeing many of those things, you really feel that summer is just around the corner.

That sentiment is woven into the song.

It might be nice to go out and look for the early-summer scenery that appears in May, just like in the lyrics!

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motherLyrics by: Nana Tanaka / Music by: Yoshinao Nakata

Mother (Lyrics by Nana Tanaka / Music by Yoshinao Nakata) I Nostalgic Children’s Song • For Mother’s Day

Mother Lyrics by Nana Tanaka / Music by Yoshinao Nakata

The children’s song “Okaasan” (Mother), perfect for Mother’s Day, sings about a kind mother.

The child tells their mother she smells nice and realizes that the scent comes from the household chores she does every day for them.

A mother filled with such lovely scents deserves nothing but gratitude! How about trying to do some of those chores yourself on Mother’s Day? She will surely be happy—not only because you help with the chores, but also because she can see how you’re growing by taking the initiative.

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Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Perfect songs for the fresh green season (31–40)

Koinobori Swimming Through Space!Akari Machi

Swimming through space! Koinobori (carp streamers)

Swim Through Space! Koinobori Machi Akari

Koinobori is a custom that started in the Edo period, said to have begun among samurai families to pray for the healthy growth of boys.

Nowadays, people raise them to wish for children’s health regardless of gender.

The famous song “Koinobori” is such a well-known nursery rhyme that every Japanese person can sing it.

Do you know a fun song that’s like a parody of that “Koinobori”? Akari Machi’s “Swimming Through Space! Koinobori” tells the story of carp streamers swimming beyond rooftops, past the clouds, and all the way into outer space.

It even has a proper punchline where they get hungry and come back home, making it a real delight.

Listen once and you might get hooked!

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cherry

[Fingerplay Song] Active Nursery Teacher Demonstrates “Sakuranbon”! [With Singing and Movements]

cherry

Sakuranbon is a hand-play song themed around cherries, which are in season from May to July.

You use your hands and arms to represent cherries and keep the rhythm by swinging your arms widely from side to side.

The cherry fruits are shown with clenched fists! You can stack your clenched hands under your chin to look like a beard, place them on top of your head to imitate a bear, or stretch your arms straight out in front to show driving a car—there are lots of different poses included.

Of course, you can freely change the poses made with your clenched hands! What unique poses will the children come up with?

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A-I-U-E-O nigiriLyrics and Music by Saeko Shuu

♪ A-I-U-E-O Onigiri — Let's have onigiri together from the morning ♪ [with choreography]

A-I-U-E-O Onigiri Lyrics and Music: Shu Saeko

A bright, rhythmic tune themed around the joy and smiles of making rice balls as a family.

With lyrics that spark curiosity and imagination about everyday ingredients, it captivates children’s hearts.

First broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in April 2001, the song has been covered by many artists, including Satoko Yamano and the Himawari Kids.

It’s used in nursery schools and kindergartens as part of food education, and it’s also recommended to hum along at home while making onigiri with your child.

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Get on the busLyrics and Music: Kunihiro Taniguchi

[With Choreography] Riding the Bus / Okaasan to Issho | Working Vehicles Animation | Daisuke Yokoyama, Takumi Mitani

Lyrics and music by Kunihiro Taniguchi on the bus

Kunihiro Taniguchi’s rhythmic children’s song is brimming with charm, inviting listeners to vividly imagine the fun of riding in vehicles.

Set to a gently swaying melody, it’s a piece that lets you express with your whole body the bus’s rocking motion and the thrill of turning.

Released in May 2008 and later included in the September 2020 album “Teacher Ti’s Kids Love It! Play Songs,” the track has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and is frequently sung at nursery school and kindergarten events.

As a hand-play song that children can enjoy together, it’s a perfect choice for family bonding time and making memories.

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Animal Exercises 1-2-3Lyrics and Music: Naomi Abe

Animal Exercise 1-2-3 (with moves) - The rabbit’s exercise goes boing-boing, boing-boing-boing-boing~ [exercise]

Animal Exercise 1-2-3 Lyrics and Music by Naomi Abe

A charming exercise song that lets kids joyfully move their bodies, taking inspiration from animal gestures.

It starts with a gentle rhythm and is packed with ideas that naturally make children want to move—jumping together to the music, swinging their arms wide—while helping develop their motor skills.

It has frequently been featured on popular preschool TV shows like NHK Educational’s “Inai Inai Baa!” and “Okaasan to Issho,” and covers by various artists have also drawn attention.

Perfect not only for sports days and morning exercise time, but also for celebrating Children’s Day with the whole family.

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