[Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
Kids love to sing!
Singing is a form of exercise, nurtures interest in language, and helps develop expressiveness and a sense of rhythm.
It’s also said that singing releases “happy hormones,” making it effective for relieving stress.
Bring plenty of music into daily life and sing freely together with your children.
This time, we’re introducing popular children’s songs we’d love you to sing and play with your kids!
We’ve collected everything from classic nursery rhymes passed down through the years to the latest hit songs.
You can search songs by category—animals, vehicles, food, and more—so you’re sure to find the perfect tune for your children.
If you add simple choreography or hand-play motions as well as singing, the kids will be thrilled!
Be sure to explore a variety of nursery rhymes and enjoy happy times with your children!
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Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (61–70)
swallowYOASOB with Midories
YOASOBI, a music duo highly popular among children, released “Tsubame” in 2021.
It was chosen as the theme song for the children’s SDGs program series “Hirogare! Irotoridori,” with the group Midories joining the vocals.
The lyrics, which use a swallow to express the importance of connection and understanding, are memorable.
It’s also a great idea to learn the official choreography featured on shows like NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Be sure to check out this sing-and-dance-friendly pop song with friends from kindergarten or nursery school.
Toy Cha-Cha-ChaLyrics by Akiyuki Nosaka (additional lyrics by Osamu Yoshioka) / Music by Nobuyoshi Koshibe
This song brings to mind scenes like that popular Disney work where toys at home play while we’re asleep at night.
It makes you imagine, “Maybe my own toys are playing while I’m sleeping?” and puts you in a joyful mood.
After each toy has played all night, they return to their own homes.
This dreamy song also comes with choreography that matches the lyrics! Become the toys that appear in the lyrics, and have fun singing and dancing along.
What is your name?Indonesian folk song
This is a hand-play song rooted in a traditional Indonesian folk tune, widely beloved in early childhood education settings.
It helps children become familiar with their own names and those of their friends, fostering communication while they enjoy learning names.
The melody is bright and approachable, designed so children can sing along happily.
It is often sung at the start of activities or during morning gatherings and is used as a hand-play song in preschool environments.
The piece is included mainly in piano collections for educators, such as “Songs for Children: Easy Piano Accompaniment You Can Play—Perfect for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens.” Recommended for childcare settings, it has a warm atmosphere that eases anxiety in new environments and helps children build relationships with friends.
The Do-Re-Mi SongLyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II / Music by Richard Rodgers
“Do-Re-Mi” is one of the famous songs from the musical The Sound of Music, and in Japan, Peggy Hayama’s translated version has long been beloved.
Starting with “Do” for donut and “Re” for lemon, the upbeat lyrics build to the joyful “Si,” paired with a catchy, easy-to-hum pop melody.
With choreography that matches the words, even little kids can have fun dancing along.
In recent years it’s trended on TikTok and become popular across generations, so be sure to feature it!
My Mixed JuiceLyrics: Taro Gomi / Music: Koku Shibuya
Released in 1982, this is a bright, uplifting children’s song.
If you want kids to sing out with lively voices, this track is highly recommended.
Shōko Haida, the beloved “big sister” singer from children’s programs, has performed it as well.
Verses 1, 2, and 3 are divided into morning, afternoon, and night parts, so if you’re planning group singing with different sections, this song might be perfect.
The chorus features the title “Mixed Juice” as part of the lyrics, and it’s incredibly satisfying to sing!
Mysterious PocketLyrics by Michio Mado / Music by Shigeru Watanabe
“Fushigi na Pocket” is a fun song where cookies increase every time you pat your pocket.
It’s perfect for imaginative three-year-olds.
It’s also great to sing while actually patting your pocket.
If you use tools like an apron theater or paper puppets while singing, it can spark conversations with the children, such as, “What would you do if lots of cookies appeared?” They might also naturally learn how to count, like “one, two.” It’s a dreamy song where the cookies keep multiplying with just a tap.
Small WorldLyrics/Music: The Sherman Brothers
How about “It’s a Small World,” a song imbued with the message “Let’s all get along”? It was written as the theme song for the Disneyland attraction It’s a Small World.
The lyrics are heartwarming, and its mid-tempo feel is sure to lift your spirits.
With many sustained notes, it’s also fun to enjoy long vocal lines.
That makes it perfect for choral singing, and thanks to its thematic lyrics, it would pair well with performances like school plays or recitals.