[Music Play] Children’s Recreational Music: Rec Songs You Can Sing and Play

Picnic

[Rexong] A picnic that’s a big hit for bus recreation!!

With its energetic melody, “Picnic” livens up both bus activities and the walk to the destination.

It’s based on the American song “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain,” and in Japan it’s also well known that WANIMA sang a parody version, “Yatte Miyou,” in an au commercial! The song cheerfully depicts the road to the picnic, warming children’s hearts as they look forward to the fun to come.

There’s a section where animals appear and you imitate their sounds, so it works great as a call-and-response between the teacher leading the group and the children.

Child of Abraham

Children of Abraham (Hanemari Channel Collaboration)

It’s a slightly surreal game where you dance along to lyrics that are a bit mysterious.

It originally came from an American folk song, but Japanese lyrics were added and it spread nationwide, mainly through the YMCA in Japan.

There’s a record sung by Masato Shimon, known for “Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun,” and that version is probably the best-known audio.

As for how to play, you sing the same lyrics each time, and with every repeat you add another body part to move.

As more and more parts get added, the dance becomes harder—and more fun.

Country Road

[Ghibli] Country Road - Whisper of the Heart Theme Song [Children’s Song/Nursery Rhyme/Hand Play/Dance] Victory Road (Japan National Rugby Team Song) Japanese Children’s Song

Country Road, the theme song from Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart, is a great pick for sing-alongs on the way to field trips or camping.

It’s a version of the 1971 song by American singer John Denver with original Japanese lyrics.

During the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Japan’s national team drew attention by singing a parody version titled Victory Road.

The song conveys a hopeful feeling that a wonderful view surely awaits at the end of the road you keep walking.

It boosts the excitement and anticipation for the fun times that lie ahead on your upcoming trip or camp!

Jenka

[Event/Game] Jenga Description — Jenga Rules — 100-Yen Prize Game

The folk dance “Jenka,” which originated in Finland.

In Japan, many people—depending on their generation—likely danced it many times at school sports days.

Set to a monotonous, endlessly looping melody, you step out twice with each foot starting from the right, then repeatedly jump forward and backward in the sequence: forward, back, forward, forward, forward.

Dancers form lines or circles and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front.

If you miss the jumping sequence, you might step on someone’s feet or nearly fall, so be careful.

Because the team has to move in sync, it really fosters a sense of camaraderie!

Ten thousand feet in the Alps

“10,000 Feet Above the Alps” (with gestures)

Alps Ichiman-jaku is a hand-clapping game you can play anytime, anywhere, as long as you have one person next to you.

It’s based on the American folk song Yankee Doodle, but the lyrics are completely different from the version known in Japan.

It’s a classic hand game played by two people using both hands while singing.

There are both simple and difficult choreographies, and in either case, once you make a mistake it’s hard to recover—surprisingly challenging! Most people know only one set of lyrics, but in fact the song goes all the way up to verse 29.

It might be fun to memorize and sing all 29 verses to go along with the hand game!

Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called 'Jingisukan')

Genghis Khan (with choreography) [Dance]

Perfect for campfires with its fiery melody, this is “Dschinghis Khan”! It’s a song by the German music group Dschinghis Khan, which drew attention in Japan when it was used in a synchronized swimming scene in the drama Water Boys.

It has been covered many times by Japanese artists like Berryz Kobo and Kome Kome Club, as well as by international artists.

You might not catch what the lyrics are about at first listen, but its mysterious vibe and catchy melody have made it very popular.

There’s also a version translated into Japanese, so sing and dance with energy that won’t lose to the campfire’s flames!

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

Janken Train is a group recreation game where everyone plays rock-paper-scissors and gradually links up like a train.

At first, each person pretends to be a train on their own and moves around.

When the music briefly stops, you find someone nearby and play rock-paper-scissors; the loser goes behind the winner and links on.

You repeat this over and over in a knockout-style game.

In the end, you’ll have a very long train! It’s great for outdoor play and can be enjoyed indoors as well, so it’s perfect for rainy-day recreation.