Recommended children's songs and hand play songs for October! Music time in childcare that feels like autumn.

Meat buns and sweet bean paste buns

Nikuman Anman | A popular winter hand-play song demonstrated by a childcare worker

When the weather turns a bit chilly, you start craving nikuman and anman, and kids love them too, right? The perfect fit for this season is the hand-play song “Nikuman Anman.” Set to the melody of “Gu-Cho-Bi-Pa de Nani Tsukurou,” this song features nikuman, anman, and other Chinese steamed buns, stimulating children’s senses—great for playtime at preschool or for parents and kids to enjoy at home.

Moving their hands to the rhythm to shape nikuman and anman is part of the fun.

The easy-to-remember lyrics are another highlight.

One Little Ghost

[Hand Play/Ghosts] One Little Ghost / Tsubasa Suzuki [Childcare/Play Songs/Parenting]

October brings the big event of Halloween, doesn’t it? “Ippai Obake” (“Lots of Ghosts”) is a hand-play song perfect for Halloween.

Although it’s called a hand-play song, it turns into a fun activity where you can move your whole body by the end.

It’s great because kids can enjoy it either sitting or standing.

Despite the title “Ippiki Obake” (“One Little Ghost”), the number of ghosts grows as the song goes on, and there’s a surprising movement at the end that kids will love! It’s perfect for all kinds of occasions—sports days, Halloween parties, and get-togethers with friends.

Donguri Korokoro

Donguri Korokoro (with actions) [Japanese song/children’s song]

“Donguri Korokoro” is a famous children’s song with lyrics by Aoki Zonji and music by Yanada Tadashi.

It’s also one of the autumn songs that children love.

The song charmingly depicts an acorn rolling along.

Because it’s short and lends itself to hand-play motions, it’s perfect for hand-play time at daycare and kindergarten.

It’s such a well-known song that very few children don’t know it, so be sure to sing it together and enjoy it in the fall.

Halloween is a big commotionTakashi Deguchi

Song: "Halloween Is a Big Commotion" [Takashi’s Finger Play • Children’s Song] Japanese Children’s Song, Finger Play Songs

When it comes to autumn events, it’s got to be Halloween! Takashi Deguchi’s song captures that fun perfectly.

It’s packed with the lively atmosphere and excitement of Halloween that kids love.

Drawing on his experience as a nursery school teacher, Deguchi delivers lyrics and melodies that truly capture children’s hearts.

Released digitally in October 2019, this track is perfect for the Halloween season.

It’s sure to shine in a variety of settings, from school events to family Halloween parties.

Let’s all sing and dance and enjoy Halloween to the fullest!

Delicious Aki

[September October November Fall Fingerplay] What are the seasonal foods? “Delicious Autumn” [Food Education]

As the saying ‘autumn is the season of hearty appetites’ goes, fall is full of delicious foods.

That’s why I’d like to introduce “Oishii Aki” (“Delicious Autumn”).

It’s a fun piece that highlights seasonal foods like chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and Pacific saury, and it makes you excited to see what will appear next.

Another fun point is that you can play along with choreography tailored to each ingredient.

Through the play, children can become interested in autumn foods and learn the names of ingredients.

It also ends quietly, so it’s great for transitioning to picture books or the next activity.

peach, apple, pear, pineapple

October fingerplay “Peach, Apple, Pear, Pineapple” with lyrics 🍑🍎🍐

A hand game song that uses fruits loved by children lets them learn while having fun.

In this song, kids move their bodies to a rhythmic tune themed around autumn harvests like peaches and apples.

The lyrics are simple, but the way you pretend to have eaten the fruits and gradually leave them out makes it a playful activity that helps build children’s memory and concentration.

Often used in nurseries and kindergartens, this hand game is perfect for children around ages 3 to 5.

Why not include it in autumn events or daily childcare and have everyone sing and play together? It’s a lovely song that helps kids learn fruit names while also feeling the change of seasons!

a maple leafLyrics and Music by Sasaki Nobutsuna

[Autumn Children's Song] Maple Leaves (Leaf-Peeping, Suitable for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Certified Childcare Centers, Also Great for Eurhythmics!)

This is a charming children’s song written and composed by Nobutsuna Sasaki.

It depicts a heartwarming scene that brings to mind a child delighting in comparing fluttering, falling leaves with their own hands.

Its gentle melody makes it easy for children to sing, and the lyrics are filled with words that warm the heart.

It’s perfect not only for singing in preschools and kindergartens, but also for humming along with your child on an autumn stroll.

Be sure to sing together and enjoy the colors of the season.