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 (41–50)

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomLyrics by Shogo Kato / Music by Minoru Kainuma

May hand play activity: 'Mikan no Hana Saku Oka' with lyrics

Mikan Blossom Hill Lyrics by Shogo Kato / Music by Minoru Kainuma

When it comes to winter foods to enjoy by the kotatsu, mikan (mandarin oranges) are a must! Before the fruit forms, mikan trees begin to bloom around early May.

This children’s song, which evokes the sight of hills covered with lots of cute white mikan blossoms, is absolutely perfect for May! The lyrics—reminiscing about a mother while looking at ships and islands seen from a place filled with blooming mikan flowers—also make it fitting for Mother’s Day.

There’s even a slightly challenging hand-play version of this song, so it might be fun to try it together with Mom on Mother’s Day!

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Nursery rhymes and hand-clapping songs to enjoy in May! Perfect songs for the season of fresh greenery (51–60)

TulipLyrics by Miyako Kondo / Music by Takeshi Inoue

Tulip (with gestures) [Japanese song / shoka]

Tulips Lyrics: Miyako Kondo / Music: Takeshi Inoue

This song is about tulips, a flower familiar as a symbol of spring.

Tulips are commonly seen from mid-April to around May, so this song is perfect for May! In addition to the classic colors mentioned in the lyrics, tulips are said to come in a total of nine colors, including purple, green, and black.

You might not find them easily around your neighborhood, but you may be able to see them at places like botanical gardens.

We recommend going for a stroll to look for tulips in unusual colors while singing “Tulip”!

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Koi in the pondMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

Children’s Song “The Carp in the Pond” (Mutsuko Ogawa)

Pond Carp, Ministry of Education Shoka

When we think of Children’s Day in May, koinobori (carp streamers) come to mind, but the carp in this song are real carp living in a pond.

There are many kinds of carp, from the ones you might find in a park pond to vividly colored nishikigoi (koi).

The lyrics depict scenes of clapping to get their attention or tossing them ofu (wheat gluten feed) out of a desire to see and play with the carp.

Koinobori floating in the sky are wonderful, but it’s also lovely to sing along and play like this with real carp in nature!

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A caterpillar

[Fingerplay Song] An Active Nursery Teacher Demonstrates “One Little Caterpillar”! [With Singing and Motions]

A caterpillar

May is also the season when fresh green leaves are beautiful.

Many children probably get absorbed in observing insects in parks and nature, don’t they? “One Little Caterpillar” is an adorable song that depicts a caterpillar dancing and hopping with friends, then getting tired and falling asleep! You can enjoy a fingerplay by wiggling your raised finger like a caterpillar.

Numbers appear in the lyrics, making it perfect for practicing counting! For indoor play, singing while looking at picture books or field guides may make it easier to imagine.

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Bamboo Shoot ExercisesLyrics by Yoshihiro Nakazawa / Music by Nobuyoshi Koshibe

♪Takenoko Exercises – Daba-daba, daba-daba, dadda, papapapa, papapapa, run run~♪ (with choreography)

Takenoko Body Movement Lyrics: Yoshihiro Nakazawa / Music: Nobuyoshi Koshibe

Featured on numerous releases, including Nippon Columbia’s album “The Best: Kids Exercise Songs,” this piece is a bright, rhythmic track themed around the growth of bamboo shoots.

Since its release in April 2006, it has remained a favorite at sports days and in early childhood activities.

The composition is by Nobuyoshi Koshube, who worked on music for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” for 40 years, with lyrics by Yoshihiro Nakazawa.

With a comfortable tempo and easy-to-enjoy choreography, it’s perfect not only for exercise time in kindergartens and nursery schools, but also for families to enjoy moving together at home.

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tea pickingMinistry of Culture School Song

♪ Tea Picking – The 88th Night, with summer drawing near ♪ (with gestures) [Hand play • Japanese song • Shoka]

Tea-Picking Ministry Hymn

Published in 1912 (the 45th year of the Meiji era), this piece is a song that conveys Japan’s cherished traditional culture and the beauty of nature.

It gently depicts the early-summer scenery that arrives around the 88th night of spring and the scenes of tea picking, featuring a light, approachable melody.

Its rhythmical lyrics, aligned with the motions of tea picking, also carry elements of a work song.

In 2007, it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs” by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the National PTA Council of Japan, and it has been featured in various contexts such as children’s songs, anime, and TV dramas.

While tea picking may not be very familiar to people today, why not enjoy it with your children as an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture?

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To the Sun in the Palm of Your HandLyrics by Takashi Yanase / Music by Taku Izumi

[♪ Song Anime] Hold Your Palms Up to the Sun (Sung by: Icchi & Naru) We’re All Alive~ ♪ [Children’s Song / Nursery Rhyme]

Song of 'Hands to the Sun' Lyrics by Takashi Yanase / Music by Taku Izumi

A wonderful song in which Takashi Yanase’s gentle lyrics and Taku Izumi’s bright melody blend beautifully, teaching us that earthworms, dragonflies, and frogs are our precious friends too.

Created in 1961 and broadcast the following year on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it quickly captured the hearts of many.

It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Dark Ducks and BON-BON BLANCO, and featured in the film “Chiisana Jumbo” and the TV anime “Sore Ike! Anpanman.” Cherished across generations, from children to adults, this work is also perfect as a hand-play song for families to enjoy together.

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