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

Vegetable Song

Vegetable Song (with actions)

“The Vegetable Song” is full of vegetable names.

It repeats parts of the names and distinctive features of the vegetables to make a fingerplay song.

It seems like kids can have fun singing while learning the names of vegetables.

The steady, simple rhythm makes it easy for little children to sing and play along.

You could probably adapt it to play with animal names or other foods, too.

Tengu fanchildren’s song

Tengu’s Fan – Lyrics and Music by Naomi Abe

It’s a fun hand-play song inspired by the traditional Japanese yokai Tengu and a paper fan.

You sing while mimicking the flapping motion of fanning with a round uchiwa, which makes it perfect for fostering children’s imagination and expressive skills.

The lyrics are simple and easy to remember, and the rhythm is lively, so it’s enjoyable to repeat.

It’s also easy to incorporate into activities at kindergartens and nursery schools.

This song is included in “Asobi Uta 100” and is widely used in educational settings.

Singing and dancing together with your child will create a wonderful time full of smiles.

fig carrot

Fig and Carrot [Picture Book Boy Naoki Okada]

“Ichijiku Ninjin” is a counting song that uses the names of foods and plants.

The lyrics start with figs (ichijiku) and go on to list items like carrots (ninjin) whose names contain numbers.

The choreography matches the lyrics by raising fingers to show the numbers, and numbers 5 and above are shown with both hands.

By the way, the foods and plants that appear in this counting song actually vary by region, so some people may be more familiar with versions that include shiso (perilla) or tōgarashi (chili pepper).

Ochara-ka-hoi

[Hand Play Song] Ocharaka Hoi

Children have always loved the hand-clapping song that starts with the chant, “Se-se-se no yoi yoi yoi,” haven’t they? In this song, called “Ocharaka Hoi,” you alternately clap hands facing up and down with yourself and your partner, then play rock-paper-scissors.

The winner strikes a winning pose, and the loser takes a losing pose.

You repeat this over and over.

It’s a hand-clapping game that can go on forever.

Full Moon Night's Mochi Pounding

[Hand Play Song] Rice Cake Pounding on the Night of the Harvest Moon ★ Naka, 8 years 7 months

In “Jugo-ya-san no Mochitsuki,” two players face each other: one pounds the mochi and the other kneads it.

The person pounding keeps a steady rhythm with hand claps, while the person kneading slips their hands in during the intervals between the claps.

This song is adapted in various ways depending on the season when mochi is made.

For example, for Hinamatsuri it becomes “Mochitsuki on March 3rd,” and for New Year’s it’s “New Year’s Mochitsuki.”

the temple’s head monk

"The Temple Monk (Standard Version)" - Children's Song and Hand-Play Song (for Nursery Schools and Kindergartens)

The temple monk—this hand game song is well-known, isn’t it? It uses hand movements to show the monk sowing pumpkin seeds and how they grow.

At the end, you play rock-paper-scissors.

The lyrics vary by region and generation, and there are many arranged versions; some take lots of detours while depicting the seeds’ growth process.

Knock knock knock knock, Grandpa with a beard

[Finger Play] Ton ton ton ton Hige Jiisan (with gestures) [Takashi’s Hand Play & Children’s Songs] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

It’s a classic, well-known hand game song that moms and dads, as well as grandparents, are familiar with.

You make both hands into fists and tap them together, using your clenched hands to represent “Bearded Old Man,” “Bumpy Old Man,” “Tengu,” and “Glasses.” At the end, you open your hands into palms facing up and place them on your knees.

You can also change it up by placing them somewhere other than your knees.