Children’s Songs & Karaoke Rankings [2025]

paprikaFoorin50rank/position

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

This song was written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter behind numerous hit songs such as “Lemon” and “Kanden,” and it was created as a support song for the “NHK 2020 Support Song Project.” Since it was featured on various NHK children’s programs, it became a popular dance song among kids from preschoolers to elementary school students.

Because it’s made for children, it’s easy to sing, and many kids are sure to start dancing as soon as the melody starts.

The positive lyrics are also truly wonderful.

swallowYOASOBI with Midories51rank/position

[Aoki Iro] “Tsubame” Dance Music Video Full ver. YOASOBI with Midories | Spread the Colors! | 17 Actions for the Future | SDGs | NHK

When it comes to songs that liven up a kids-centered karaoke party, “Tsubame” is the one.

It was released in 2021 by YOASOBI, a music duo hugely popular among teens, and the SDGs music unit Midories.

The lyrics, which depict the importance of joining hands, perfectly match the song’s pop, imaginative sound.

When you go to karaoke with close family and friends, it sounds fun not just to sing but to dance along, too.

How about singing this heartwarming track that inspires visions of a bright future for children?

Always With MeYumi Kimura52rank/position

Yumi Kimura - "Always With Me"

The theme song of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, which holds the record for the highest box office revenue in Japan’s history.

The composer and singer of this song is soprano Yumi Kimura.

Her performances, singing while playing the lyre—a vertical harp-like instrument—were also memorable.

Since the film has been broadcast on television many times since its release, it’s a familiar song even to children who don’t know the original theatrical run.

The lyrics may be somewhat difficult for children to fully understand, but it can be nice to sing it as content through which adults convey the importance of life and the nature of living to children.

Let It Go ~As I Am~Takako Matsu53rank/position

Takako Matsu – Let It Go ~Ari no mama de~ (From “Frozen”)

It’s a song known from the 2013 Disney film Frozen, and a favorite among girls! Many of you probably remember seeing kids dancing to it in supermarkets or parks back then.

Lots of kids admire Disney Princesses, especially Anna and Elsa.

Time has passed since its release, but that admiration is forever.

Why not revisit those feelings and try singing it at karaoke? And if you’ve only recently seen it and fallen in love with it, you should sing it too!

Little Errand Ant54rank/position

[Children’s Song] The Little Errand Ant / Daisuke Yokoyama

It’s the children’s song “Otsukai Ari-san,” which I’m sure everyone is familiar with.

It was created in 1950 for NHK’s radio program “Time for Toddlers” and is a long-beloved song still sung today.

In the lyrics, the little ant runs errands while making mistakes, and it’s depicted in an adorably comical way.

The simple lyrics make it easy for young children to enjoy.

The melody is probably slow, so I think older adults can enjoy it too.

It’s a recommended song that can really liven things up—great for singing together with children and seniors while adding some simple dance moves.

Ogre's Pants55rank/position

Japanese Children’s Song – Demon’s Underpants 3D! – Oni no Pants

“Funiculì, Funiculà” is an Italian song composed in 1880.

Based on this tune, a children’s parody version was created and became widely established as “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants).

The lyrics simply sing about how sturdy an ogre’s underpants are.

After being introduced with vocals by Seiji Tanaka in 1975, it was released as a single by the Victor label five years later in 1980.

It drew attention at the time, with portions of the lyrics even appearing in a popular manga.

Frog Chorus56rank/position

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Chorus of Frogs – Kaeru no Gasshō

It’s widely known as “Kaeru no Uta,” but did you know the official title is actually “Kaeru no Gasshō” (The Frog Chorus)? In fact, many people get the latter half of the lyrics quite wrong.

If you sing it at karaoke, you’ll definitely hear, “Wait, is that how it goes?”