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

Anpanman Ondo

Anpanman Ondo: Let’s dance together with Anpanman!!

Let’s all dance together! Here are some ideas for the “Anpanman Ondo.” Let’s dance the “Anpanman Ondo” with the beloved characters from “Go! Anpanman,” popular in the anime, movies, and picture books! The song has four verses, but the choreography stays the same, so it should be easy for children to learn, right? Moving their bodies to the rhythm can not only develop motor skills and a sense of rhythm, but also help nurture emotional expression—like “I did it!” and “I can dance for fun!”—and boost their self-esteem.

Zunpa Ondo

Zunpa Ondo rec Bon Dance Kendō Satowa Association Summer Festival Bon Odori Tournament 23.07.16

It’s a lively, cheerful festival song that spreads a bright, bustling atmosphere.

Packed with elements kids can connect with right away—like twirling their bodies and moving their arms and legs briskly—it features a light, upbeat tempo.

Drums and flutes boost the rhythm, and the continual development makes you smile as you move along.

You’ll also enjoy a sing-along-friendly melody that naturally makes you want to hum while matching the dance moves.

The changing sections keep things interesting, so it never gets dull to listen to.

It’s a perfect highlight for summer events or Bon Odori at preschools, bringing the whole venue together as one.

This energetic track, great for dancing with children, is also ideal for creating lasting summer memories.

It’s Hamu Hamu ON-DO, Ham-chans!

It's Ham-Ham ON-DO, Ham-Hams!

“Hamham ON-DO da, Ham-chans!” by the Ham-chans is an energetic Bon Odori dance song born from the anime Hamtaro.

All the small, cute characters make an appearance, and a lively rhythm unfolds that makes you want to dance.

With its brisk tempo, it’s fun to join in with call-and-response and hand claps, which will boost children’s eagerness to participate.

The instruments are lively, and the atmosphere builds in step with the song’s progression.

The vocal expressions are rich as well, with a structure that lets each character’s personality shine through.

Even children who don’t know the anime can enjoy it, and using it at summer festivals or school events will create a time filled with smiles.

Ponchararin on a moonlit night

Ponchararin on a Moonlit Night (Okaasan to Issho) / Yuzo Imai, Shoko Haida, Hiromichi Sato, Yoriko Taki

It’s a lively ondo song featuring a variety of animals.

The rhythm moves at a comfortable pace, packed with a fun energy that makes you want to move your body.

You can enjoy imagining the movements of raccoon dogs, rabbits, and fireflies.

The instrumentation is cleverly arranged, and the layered sounds create a distinctly summery atmosphere.

The dance choreography is easy to learn, so even children new to Bon Odori can quickly join the circle and have fun.

Through both song and dance, this piece evokes the bustle of a nighttime scene.

As an ondo that colors summer festival memories, it’s beloved by many children.

seaNEW!Lyrics by: Ryūha Hayashi / Music by: Takeshi Inoue

[Children’s Song] Umi (The Sea) / Daisuke Yokoyama

A well-known school song that conjures up vivid images of the vast blue sea.

It’s also famous that lyricist Ryuha Hayashi and composer Takeshi Inoue both came from Gunma Prefecture, which has no coastline.

Perhaps that’s why the piece overflows with pure awe and longing for a scene they encountered for the first time.

Introduced in a Ministry of Education textbook in 1941, it was later selected in 2007 as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Many people may find childhood memories of singing it coming back.

It’s a classic that brings gentle moments, inviting parents and children to hum along together.

Mitsuya Cider

[Hand Play] ♪ Mitsuya Cider <with choreography>

The educational duo Mana & Yuu—Mana Onochi (known as “Mana”) and Yuki Hamasaki (known as “Yuu”)—run the popular educational YouTube channel “Manayuu Channel,” which features lots of children’s songs and hand-play activities that kids can enjoy.

This time, with summer as the theme, let’s introduce a song about Mitsuya Cider, the first beverage that comes to mind for many when thinking of summer.

The cute choreography that expresses the fizzy carbonation is sure to delight children.

The lyrics also include counting—one, two, three—so it’s great for helping little ones learn numbers.

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

[Children’s Song] Te no Hira o Taiyō ni ♪

A perfect children’s song for the brilliantly shining summer sun is “Tenohira o Taiyō ni” (Hold Your Palms to the Sun).

The lyrics were written by Takashi Yanase, creator of Anpanman, and the music was composed by Taku Izumi, who worked on many songs including the theme for “Tetsuko’s Room.” Joy and sadness, encounters with all kinds of friends and living creatures—this song deeply reminds us that these seemingly ordinary things are only possible because we are alive.

Although it’s a song for children, adults may feel it in a different, moving way.

There’s choreography that matches the lyrics, too, so sing and dance with all your energy and enjoy this moment of being alive!