[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 (21–30)
UraraYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
Urara was the first “Song of the Month” for Maya Onee-san on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho, debuting as the song for April 2022.
It was written and composed by Yoshiki Mizuno of Ikimonogakari.
The bright, rhythmic melody and gentle, uplifting lyrics—like “Let’s give a warm, tight hug; everything will be all right”—leave a strong impression on both children and adults.
It’s a lively yet tender tune that perfectly suits new beginnings in spring and everyday moments for parents and kids alike.
Surely a miracleYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
Perfect for spring, new beginnings, and the new school term—here’s an introduction to “Kitto Kiseki,” a song parents and children will want to listen to together.
Some listeners may find courage and hope in the message woven into the lyrics.
The song is being presented as the Song of April 2025.
Of course it suits the season of new encounters in spring, but it’s also a great listen when you’re feeling down or after a quarrel with a friend—it may help you feel gratitude for the people you meet and a sense of destiny.
It might even turn your attention to encounters with animals and nature beyond humans.
What a wonderful song.
My Neighbor TotoroAzumi Inoue
What’s your favorite Ghibli movie? There are all kinds of so-called Ghibli films, and personally, I feel like, “I don’t want Ghibli movies to have fighting or blood.” In that sense, My Neighbor Totoro has a fairy-tale quality that also connects to folktales, doesn’t it? Totoro’s true nature is unknown, but it’s cute! This song, with its snappy tempo, could even work as a march.
If everyone’s going to sing it together, to put it a bit dramatically, even if you don’t know the A or B sections, I think it’s enough to belt out that distinctive chorus.
Kids’ eyes always sparkle when they’re singing this song!
tomatoReiko Mizutani
A vegetable kids love—tomatoes! How about a song by Reiko Mizutani with tomatoes as the theme? The lyrics describe how tomatoes grow and their characteristics, filled with humorous expressions that are sure to bring smiles to children’s faces as they sing.
If parents and teachers join in, it’ll make for a fun time together.
The chorus repeats, so hop on the rhythm and sing out with lots of energy!
Dreaming Yukkuri-sanHiromichi Sato
A gentle, easy-to-listen-to tune! Let us introduce “Yumemiru Yukkuri-san.” It’s a wonderful song whose lyrics express the desire to cherish and watch over individuality.
The song was presented as the song of June 2025.
Lyrics by Shinzo Higurashi.
Music by Bearground.
It’s great not only at home but also for use in preschools and kindergartens.
It feels like it teaches, through song, that it’s okay for people to be different.
Pay attention to the lovely lyrics about accepting your own individuality and that of others!
Carrot Engine RocketYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata
“Carrot Engine Rocket” is a song with a delightful concept: imagining carrots as engines for a rocket blasting into space.
It first aired on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in October 1961.
The lyrics were written by Keisuke Yamakawa, and the music was composed by Hachidai Nakamura.
With its strong sense of rhythm and friendly, catchy melody, the song brought children a world of dreams and adventure.
It has been immensely popular with kids since its original broadcast and continues to be loved over many years.
The Magic of Do-Re-MiLyrics by Kaoru Noda / Music by Kaori Moriwaka
Here is a fun song sung by the all-female band GO-BANG’S, famous for “Aini Kite I-NEED-YOU,” called “Doremi no Mahō.” It was also broadcast on NHK’s music program “Minna no Uta.” Since it uses the familiar do-re-mi scale as its theme, it naturally feels friendly and approachable.
The gentle, heartwarming lyrics—like “We’re excited for the life that’s about to begin.
Let’s all walk forward together”—are lovely, too.
Even if you slow the quick tempo a bit, it won’t feel out of place at all.
You can also add choreography, such as pointing or clapping, during the key do-re-mi parts.