Lovely childcare

[Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherRisa Shibata
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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!

Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (71–80)

Let's go to the park.Lyrics/Music by Osamu Sakata

[Song♫] Let's Go to the Park / With Mother (Covered by UtaSta) [Animated PV]

Let's go to the park Lyrics/Music: Osamu Sakata

Osamu Sakata, affectionately known as a former “Uta no Onii-san” (Singer on the show), has created many songs, and one of his most popular is “Let’s Go to the Park.” After it was performed on the NHK program “Okaasan to Issho,” it has been sung at kindergartens and nursery schools across Japan.

The song expresses the excitement of going out to the park.

There’s a call-and-response section in the middle, so it’s sure to get lively when everyone sings together.

It’s also fun to sing before heading out to the park.

Raise the rankinglower

Being human is niceLyrics by Akari Yamaguchi / Music by Asei Kobayashi

Ningen tte ii na – Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi with lyrics, full, high quality audio

Ningen tte Iina Lyrics by Akari Yamaguchi / Music by Asei Kobayashi

As a heartwarming song that’s fun to sing, “Ningen tte Iina” is highly recommended.

It’s known as the ending theme of the anime Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi.

In recent years, it has regained attention thanks to reruns and DVD releases.

The lyrics, which depict human life from the perspective of animals, are not only comforting but also offer a chance to rediscover the happiness found in everyday life.

When singing it as a group, try building excitement around the final phrase.

Raise the rankinglower

After a fightLyrics by: Toyohisa Araki / Music by: Takashi Miki

[Children’s Song] After a Fight

After the Fight Lyrics by: Toyohisa Araki / Music by: Takashi Miki

I’d like to introduce “Kenka no Ato” as a heartwarming song with a strong message.

It gained attention after being chosen as a theme song for the children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki.

Many people may also know it from Tsuyoshi Tsuruno’s later cover version.

The song depicts making up after a quarrel.

It’s not only fun to sing, but also perfect for reaffirming the importance of reconciling and cherishing friends.

Raise the rankinglower

Fruit TarōLyrics: Okuhara Yume / Music: Bearground

Kudamono Taro / A new character appears in the YouTube-only 3rd verse!? / New song from “Okaasan to Issho” / cover: “Otousan mo Issho” chorus: Arare

Fruit Taro Lyrics: Okuhara Yume / Composition: Bearground

“Kudamono Tarō” features fruit-themed characters who deliver fun songs and dances.

Lyrics are by Yume Okuhara and music is by Bearground.

With simple, easy-to-remember phrases about peaches, bananas, strawberries, and more, it’s perfect for use in early childhood settings.

Try dividing into parts and singing in turn, or perform gestures and dances that match the lyrics.

You could also wear outfits inspired by your assigned fruit.

Another idea is to create parody versions using the children’s favorite fruits.

Let’s get everyone excited with this nursery song that offers unique choreography and catchy tunes to enjoy with the kids!

Raise the rankinglower

Songs of Animals and Insects (71–80)

An animal song you'll want to copy!

Next, I’ll introduce some songs about animals that kids absolutely love. Children really enjoy imitating animals’ unique movements and sounds, don’t they? Let’s all become animals and have a blast together! Reference article:Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
Reference article:Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects

Animal and Insect Songs (1–10)

Mountain MusiciansNEW!German folk song

[Children’s Song] Yama no Ongakuka / Daisuke Yokoyama

Mountain Musicians NEW! German Folk Song

An endearing, picture book-like piece in which the animals of the forest become musicians and hold a concert.

In this song, mountain friends like squirrels and little birds appear one after another, each showing off their favorite instrument.

With a structure that layers on words imitating the timbre of the instruments, it carries a lively joy that makes your body start moving all on its own.

It became widely known in Japan after being featured in April 1964 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” sung by Dark Ducks.

Since then, it has been sung for many years on educational programs and the like.

Part of its charm is that you can enjoy it with gestures and hand motions, too.

Raise the rankinglower

Mountain MusiciansNEW!German folk song

[Children’s Song] Yama no Ongakuka / Daisuke Yokoyama

Mountain Musicians NEW! German Folk Song

An endearing, picture book-like piece in which the animals of the forest become musicians and hold a concert.

In this song, mountain friends like squirrels and little birds appear one after another, each showing off their favorite instrument.

With a structure that layers on words imitating the timbre of the instruments, it carries a lively joy that makes your body start moving all on its own.

It became widely known in Japan after being featured in April 1964 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” sung by Dark Ducks.

Since then, it has been sung for many years on educational programs and the like.

Part of its charm is that you can enjoy it with gestures and hand motions, too.

Raise the rankinglower

Goat MailNEW!Lyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

Nono-chan (Murakata Nonoka) “Yagi-san Yubin” Music Video

Goat Mail NEW! Lyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

A very unique children’s song featuring the absent-minded White Goat and Black Goat.

The lyrics are by Michio Mado, who also wrote “Zō-san,” and the music is by Ikuma Dan.

Its charm lies in the heartwarming world where you can’t help but laugh at the endless loop of the two writing letters back and forth without ever conveying their messages.

First broadcast on NHK Radio in 1953, the song has long been beloved on programs like NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Try singing it together as a parent and child, smiling at the thought that it would be quicker if they just met and talked in person.

Raise the rankinglower