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

bento box (sandwich)

[Sandwich version!?] The surprisingly little-known Bento Box Song ♪♪

Here’s the sandwich version of the popular hand-play song for children, “Obentōbako”! It seems not many people know about it—did you? These days, lots of kids say they prefer sandwiches over rice balls.

In that case, be sure to sing and play along with this one too.

If you sing it before a field trip, it’ll make the excitement grow even more!

bonfire

bonfire

Often sung in daycare centers and kindergartens, this song is memorable for its gentle melody and the heartwarming scene of gathering around a bonfire.

It spread nationwide after being broadcast on “Uta no Obasan” in 1949.

The vocal range is tailored to children’s voices, so kids of any age can sing it comfortably.

On a chilly autumn day, singing it together as a family and moving your bodies will warm both heart and body in no time.

As temperatures drop in October heading into winter, be sure to give it a listen.

Rolling sweet potatoes

[Hand Play] Rolling Sweet Potatoes ♪ (with Lyrics/with Choreography/Children’s Song/Hand Play)

Many children love sweet potatoes, don’t they? So how about enjoying “Oimo Korokoro,” a piece themed around the sweet potato harvest? It’s crafted to depict potatoes emerging from the soil while repeating the title phrase.

With lots of sound effects, it has a lively feel and is perfect for times when everyone wants to sing together in unison.

Another nice touch is the call-and-response section prepared for a big finale.

Fruit Train

[Paper Puppet Theater] Can we agree this settles autumn? [The Fruit Train]

“The Fruit Train” is a song about various fruits riding on a train.

Kids love both trains and fruit, don’t they? The lyrics include not only fruit but also a variety of autumn delicacies, making it a lot of fun to imitate and sing along.

It seems the train runs on fallen leaves as fuel.

It’s a fun way to learn about foods that are in season in autumn!

Autumn Hand Play Medley

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Autumn Hand-Play Medley – All 5 Songs

There are lots of songs that feature autumn foods and creatures! If you add hand motions to those songs as you sing, they’ll be even more fun—no doubt about it! The songs that appear in this hand-play medley are “Yaki-guri” (Roasted Chestnuts), “Dango Kuttsuita” (The Dumplings Stuck Together), “Tonbo no Megane” (Dragonfly’s Glasses), “Konkon Kitsune” (Tap-Tap Fox), and “Donguri to Korisu” (Acorns and a Little Squirrel).

While singing, you make shapes with your hands, move in ways that match the lyrics, clap, and enjoy singing together.

Songs with a storyline become even more enjoyable when you add hand movements, because you can feel the narrative more vividly than by singing alone!

mushroom

Kinoko (with gestures)

Titled simply “Kinoko” (Mushrooms), this song takes mushrooms—one of autumn’s seasonal delights—as its theme.

The lyrics were written by Michio Mado, who created many famous children’s songs such as “Zō-san” and “Yagi-san Yūbin.” The song depicts how mushrooms grow and what their lives look like.

Set to a bright melody, it also comes with choreography that matches the lyrics, so be sure to try dancing along! Even kids who aren’t fond of mushrooms might find themselves curious and wanting to taste them after singing this tune.

mushroomShoji Kurakake

Mushroom “Ki, ki, kinoko” by Satoko Yamano

Autumn is also the season for mushroom picking.

Starting with the prized matsutake, a variety of mushrooms such as shimeji and shiitake will add color to the dining table.

This song, themed around mushrooms, is even used for activities at kindergartens.