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!

Songs of Animals and Insects (11–20)

The ranch on a rainy day

Rainy Day Farm | Children's Song Medley | Children's Songs | Nursery Rhymes | Lia and Chacha | LiaChaCha

The ranch on a rainy day

Set on a rainy day at a farm, this friendly song portrays the animals having fun.

Cows, sheep, and chickens play in the rain and stroll under umbrellas, all depicted with a bright and charming melody.

Released in September 2024 as an original song on the YouTube channel “LiaChaCha,” this piece is perfect for June, when indoor play increases during the rainy season, and is a tune kids can sing and enjoy together.

It’s sure to blow away those rainy-day blues.

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Frog ChorusLyrics by Toshiaki Okamoto / Original song: German folk song

Kids' Song | Frog Chorus | Nursery Rhyme | Froschgesang | Japanese Children’s Song (covered by UtaSta)

Frog Chorus Lyrics: Toshiaki Okamoto / Original: German Folk Song

With its easy-to-remember melody that anyone can start singing right away, this piece is based on a German folk song, with Japanese lyrics written by Toshiaki Okamoto.

When you think of a round, this is the first song that comes to mind.

Because you can enter every two measures from any point, it’s easy to catch the timing to join in.

There’s only a first verse, and the lyrics are very simple, so you won’t spend time memorizing them and can enjoy singing in a round immediately.

When trying a round in kindergarten, nursery school, or elementary school, encourage the timing to come in by calling out loudly, “Ready, go!”

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Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catLyrics and Music by Naosumi Yamamoto

Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko [Song by Mama and Papa] - Okaasan to Issho nursery rhyme hand play

Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko — Lyrics and Music by Naosumi Yamamoto

An adorable children’s song where four familiar animals are linked together in a word-chain (shiritori).

It’s also popular as a hand-play song.

Written and composed by Naosumi Yamamoto, it was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and has continued to be loved by many children.

In August 1999, a version by Masako Saito and the Suginami Children’s Choir was released, and various artists have covered it since.

Its simple, easy-to-remember melody and the animals’ distinctive sounds make it perfect for hand-play time in kindergartens and preschools!

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The Bear of the ForestAmerican folk song

Forest Bear — American folk song 'The Other Day I Met a Bear'

Mr. Bear of the Forest (American folk song)

This nursery song, depicting a charming encounter in the forest, spread nationwide in 1972 when Dark Ducks performed it on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” With its humorous story and familiar melody, it warmly conveys the bear’s gentle thoughtfulness.

In October of the same year, a single was released by King Records, with a Russian folk song on the B-side.

Because it can be sung in an echo-song format, it’s perfect for campfires and kindergarten choruses! Its lively 4/4 rhythm makes it easy for everyone to have fun singing together while naturally learning the melody.

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Roly-poly pill bugLyrics and music by Toshihiko Shinzawa

Roly-Poly Pill Bug (with lyrics) Lyrics and music by Toshihiko Shinzawa – New song from Okaasan to Issho

Dango-Mushi Korokoro Lyrics and Music by Toshihiko Shinzawa

A fingerplay song that gently portrays the cute looks and movements of small creatures was created by Toshihiko Shinzawa.

With warm lyrics and melody, it depicts encounters with the little creatures often seen in nature, making it an engaging piece that stimulates children’s curiosity.

Featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in December 2024, this work includes creative elements that let children enjoy expressing the adorable behaviors of animals through hand motions.

It can be used in kindergartens and preschools, and also serves as a tool for parents and children to bond while fostering an interest in nature.

With soothing lyrics and an approachable tune, it’s a perfect song for making happy memories during walks and outdoor play.

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Hey, Kaba-kun!Lyrics by Itsuko Nakagawa / Music by Hirotaka Nakagawa

[Children’s Song] Hey, Mr. Hippopotamus

Hey, Kaba-kun Lyrics: Itsuko Nakagawa / Music: Hirotaka Nakagawa

With its calm and gentle atmosphere, this song was released in April 2007 as a picture book with a CD, and together with illustrations by Hiroshi Abe, a former zookeeper at Asahiyama Zoo, it became a tune rooted in children’s daily lives.

Created by Hirotaka Nakagawa and Itsuko Nakagawa, the work also encourages children’s curiosity about animals through its focus on hippos.

It was featured on the TV program Hirake! Ponkikki and has long been loved by many children.

Its relaxed tempo and melody perfectly match the laid-back image of hippos, making it great for singing along with your child.

Why not hum it happily on a spring field trip or during a visit to the zoo?

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The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsLyrics and Music by Rie Miyahira

[Children's Song] The Song of the Twelve Zodiac Animals | A Popular Kids' Song Sung by a Nursery Teacher

The Twelve Zodiac Animals Song Lyrics and Music by Rie Miyahira

A fun song where the twelve zodiac animals appear in a rhythmic sequence.

It’s perfect for New Year’s and might be a great way for children to become familiar with the twelve zodiac animals.

Created by Rie Miyahira, this piece won the Excellence Award at the 9th Lapomme Grand Prize and is widely loved in early childhood education settings.

Imitating animal sounds or moving your body as if you were each animal while singing makes it even more exciting and enjoyable.

It’s a recommended song to sing with children not only for New Year’s events but also at gatherings with an animal theme.

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