[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 (11–20)
Mr. Ant on an errandLyrics by Eiichi Sekine / Music by Ikuma Dan
This song charmingly portrays ants busily at work, featuring a lively beat and rhythmic lyrics.
The image of ants bumping into each other in their haste is expressed with the phrase “kottsun-ko,” which tickles children’s hearts.
Released in 1950 and introduced on NHK’s radio program for young children, “Yōji no Jikan,” it has since been beloved by many kids.
The piece has a gentle warmth that embraces children’s everyday lives and little mishaps, making it easy to use in early childhood settings.
Singing it while moving the body also provides a fun opportunity for physical activity.
Watermelon-producing regionLyrics and music by: Traditional
It’s hard to pin down exactly what “the home of famous watermelons” is supposed to mean, but it’s a gentle song that feels like, “It’s a really lovely place where lots of good things happen.” The lyrics used in the title fit the melody in a curiously perfect way, and they really tickle a child’s fancy.
Story FingerLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama
Haven’t you ever played a game where you assign your family members to the five fingers on your hand? This is the cute family song born on those fingers, “Ohanashi Yubisan.” In the song, the thumb is the father, the index finger is the mother, the middle finger is the older brother, the ring finger is the older sister, and the little finger is the baby, with each one’s characteristics sung about.
It portrays everyone cheerfully chatting together, each with a different way of laughing.
As you sing, try looking at your own fingers and think, “Which finger is the father? Which is the mother?” It’s also fun to actually decorate each finger to bring the family to life!
Song of the EarthYuuichirou Hanada
This is the January 2023 song from “Okaasan to Issho,” featuring a friendly, energetic melody and a message to keep singing “the Earth’s loving song” forever.
“Chikyuu no Uta” (The Earth’s Song) was written and composed by Osamu Sakata, the 7th “Uta no Onii-san,” and carries a warm message that children will continue to sing this love song from the Earth.
Arranged by Takeshi Ike, the bright, refreshing arrangement truly shines.
The video, set in a white studio sprinkled with colorful animation, makes it a pop masterpiece that will have both adults and children wanting to sing and dance along.
Ganba RangersYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
The exciting intro really gets you pumped! Let me introduce “Ganba Rangers.” It’s one of those wonderful songs that sing about the warmth of family and how much we care for one another.
This song was presented as the song for May 2025.
Both the lyrics and music are by Masashi Sada, a renowned creator of many classic tunes.
The lyrics are sprinkled with themes of family love and the feelings children have, and even though the melody is upbeat, you might find yourself moved to tears as you listen.
It’s a poppy number you’ll want to sing along to with your kids.
Happappa, haaa!Yuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
This is a rhythmical song themed around the beauty of nature and scenery, long beloved by children: “Happapa no Haa!” It was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in October 1974, with lyrics by Takako Yamada and music by Hachidai Nakamura.
The song features the distinctive, repeatedly sung phrase “happapa,” designed to make it fun and easy for children to sing along.
Hachidai Nakamura is also known as a composer active in the Showa era who produced many hit songs.
It’s a heartwarming piece that conveys the joy of music and a love for nature.
Children’s Songs: Popular Nursery Rhymes (21–30)
Ho-re!Yuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
A lively, fun song that feels like a vegetable party, with lots of root vegetables bursting out—carrots, beets, daikon radishes, potatoes, burdock, lotus root, and more.
This is “Ho-Re!” from NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, which debuted in October 2022.
The shout “Hore!” playfully blends “hore!” meaning “dig!” with the flamenco cry “olé,” creating a rhythm full of fun that makes you want to dance along, ho-re ho-re! The lyrics are by copywriter and children’s song writer Nagae Kuwabara, and the music is by guitarist and arranger Harumitsu Ishikawa.
In a video that mixes animation and live action, you can enjoy a make-believe farm feel—an upbeat track bursting with smiles and energy.