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!

Fairy Tale Songs (1–10)

Come see me, Little Red Riding Hood!Kero Pons, Ryuzo Fukuda, Tsubasa Suzuki

Come See Me, Little Red Riding Hood! / Keropons, Ryuzo Fukuda, Tsubasa Suzuki

Come and See Me, Little Red Riding Hood! by Keropons, Ryūzō Fukuda, and Tsubasa Suzuki

Here’s a song that playfully sings the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood from a fun, pop perspective, titled “Come See Me, Little Red Riding Hood!” Rather than a traditional tale, it feels more like an anime with a pleasant rhythm and lyrics sprinkled with modern expressions.

Even the wolf’s appearance isn’t scary at all, and there’s a sing-along section, making it super approachable.

It’s a powerful, happy piece overflowing with energy that lifts not only kids but adults too.

Raise the rankinglower

Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food (1–10)

The Bento Box SongNEW!Lyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akihiro Komori

[Hand Play Song] The Bento Box Song [With Choreography]

Obento Box Song NEW! Lyrics: Yoshiko Kayama / Music: Akihiro Komori

This is a very fun fingerplay song where you pack rice balls and all kinds of side dishes into a bento box.

Vegetables like carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and burdock root appear one after another, and moving your hands as you sing makes it feel like you’re really making a bento—so exciting! This piece is an arrangement of an existing playground song that Yoshiko Kayama and Akihiro Komori turned into a wonderful tune.

It became widely known after being featured on a program in the Nippon TV network.

Singing it while preparing a bento with your child might just make your usual routine feel even more special.

Raise the rankinglower

Snack Song

[Children's Song] ♬ The Snack Song <with Choreography>

Snack Song

A hand-play song that makes snack time—something children always look forward to—an even more special moment.

Its short lyrics and rhythmic melody are full of charm that naturally invites clapping along.

Singing while doing the hand movements helps children learn the difference between the right and left hand and supports the development of their hands and fingertips.

This piece will bring a warm, cheerful mood not only to snack time at nurseries and kindergartens, but also at home.

It’s also recommended to sing it as part of a recreation activity on June 10, Time Day.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

We’ve introduced some popular children’s songs! What did you think? There were probably many nostalgic tunes you sang when you were a child.

I’m sure there are moms and dads who think, “When my child is born, I want to sing nursery rhymes to them.” If you’re thinking, “I want to find a song that’s vaguely in my head,” or “I want to see a list of famous nursery rhymes,” please make use of this list! Singing together as a parent and child might bring back the feelings of your own childhood.

It would be wonderful to help children feel close to music and share the joy of singing.