noun
action rhyme; game song
A song sung by children as part of a game, often with accompanying movements or hand gestures.
幼稚園で「げんこつやまのたぬきさん」という遊び歌を歌った。
We sang a game song called 'Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan' at kindergarten.
この遊び歌は手遊びがついていて、子どもたちに人気がある。
This action rhyme comes with hand movements and is popular with children.
Compound of 遊び (play) and 歌 (song). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently means 'play song'.