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Songs we want children to listen to! Recommended Christmas songs and nursery rhymes

Songs we want children to listen to! Recommended Christmas songs and nursery rhymes

Last updated:2025/10/17

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Christmas songs everyone—from kids to adults—will want to hum along to.

From nursery rhymes to pop, there are so many wonderful tunes that color the season.

Still, we often end up with the same songs every year, and we hear people say they want to sing with more fun and discover new songs.

So here, we’ll introduce a variety of heartwarming Christmas songs that kids and adults alike can enjoy together during the holiday season.

Sing along with the children and make delightful Christmas memories!

Songs we want kids to hear! Recommended Christmas songs and nursery rhymes (1–10)

Santa Claus the ScatterbrainSakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei

Hasty Santa Claus (with lyrics)

Santa Claus the ScatterbrainSakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei

Santa Claus, who delivers presents at Christmas and is beloved by children! This song cheerfully portrays a playful Santa who got the date of Christmas wrong and comes rushing in a hurry.

It’s a fun tune that’s also popular with kids and is often heard all over town during the Christmas season.

If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s a Christmas song you should definitely check out.

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sledding

Sledding by Yuko Kanzaki

sledding

This song is indispensable for Christmas! With its lively rhythm and cheerful melody, it’s a tune that children will naturally want to sing along to.

Whether singing or listening, it feels like a bit of magic that lifts the heart.

It’s perfect as a musical gift for your child or as background music for the whole family to enjoy at a Christmas party.

Originally known as an orchestral piece, it later had lyrics added and became beloved as a Christmas song.

With this song playing during your warm family time at Christmas, the occasion will become even more memorable.

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All ye faithful, make hasteGeorg Friedrich Händel

All you people, come together - Song: akane

All ye faithful, make hasteGeorg Friedrich Händel

One of Japan’s popular Christmas hymns that sets the lyrics of “Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes” to the tune of the well-known Western Christmas carol “O come, all ye faithful.” Since it’s often sung at Christmas events, many of you may already know it.

Christmas carols have a sacred beauty and a different charm from Christmas songs for children.

I hope kids will listen and compare them, too.

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

This is the Japanese version of the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” which was born in 16th-century England, titled “Omedetou Christmas.” It’s a famous Christmas song that everyone has likely heard at least once.

Its hymn-like, beautiful melody feels enchanting, gently evoking scenes of Christmas.

While the original lyrics are in English, the Japanese lyrics might be more familiar if you’re playing it for children.

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Let’s decorate with holly.

Let's Decorate with Holly | Deck the Halls | Christmas Song | Pinkfong Nursery Rhymes

Let's decorate with holly.

The bright and pleasant Christmas song “Deck the Halls” was even used in a Nitori commercial, wasn’t it? Its original tune is said to be “Nos Galan,” one of the religious folk songs from Wales, one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.

Holly used for Christmas decorations is well known for warding off evil, and it’s also called “Christmas holly,” bearing the name of a holy Christmas.

As you get ready for the holiday, why not actually decorate with holly and boost the festive mood by listening to this lively, traditional Christmas song?

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Santa Claus Is Coming to TownSakkyoku: Fureddo Kuutsu

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Santa Claus Is Coming to TownSakkyoku: Fureddo Kuutsu

The original title is “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” It’s one of the very famous Christmas songs that children know well.

In Japan, Takao Kobe’s Japanese lyrics version, “Santa ga Machi ni Yattekuru,” is popular.

Its lively, Christmas-like sound heightens children’s anticipation for the holiday even more.

It’s a song you’ll want to play when you wake up in the morning and open your presents!

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Jingle BellsSakkyoku: Jēmuzu Piaponto

Jingle Bells

Jingle BellsSakkyoku: Jēmuzu Piaponto

Jingle Bells is a classic Christmas song that has been passed down and sung for generations.

You’ve surely heard it at least once.

The song was written and composed in 1857 by Reverend James Pierpont.

It was originally sung at church Thanksgiving services, but because it was so well received, it began to be sung at Christmas as well.

That’s why the lyrics don’t mention Christmas; instead, they describe a sleigh race.

Since then, it has been loved to this day as a timeless Christmas classic.

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In producing this article

Editorial Policy

We’ve picked out Christmas songs and nursery rhymes that both children and adults can enjoy singing. Focusing on songs that actually got kids excited in childcare settings, we carefully selected them with reference to multiple childcare-related sites and video platforms. The lineup is designed to be not too difficult and to naturally bring out smiles.

Kepiko (10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder)

SAKI (keyboard player)

[Evidence]

[About the order of publication]

Based on the editorial team’s research results, the final decision also takes into account the total number of your “Rank Up” and “Rank Down” button presses.

[Update History]

Oct 17, 2025: Added/updated 11 reviews and refreshed the entire article.
November 26, 2024: Added and updated three reviews, and refreshed the entire article.
2023/11/12: Added and updated three reviews.
2023/10/17: Added/updated one review.
October 13, 2023: Added/updated one review and updated the entire article.
2023/3/23: Added/updated one review.
Added/updated three reviews on 2022/10/11.
November 2, 2021: Added and updated five reviews.
Added/updated 5 reviews on 2020/10/22.
Oct 1, 2019: Added and updated two reviews.
Added/updated 17 reviews on 2019/9/30.
December 6, 2017: Added and updated three reviews.
December 1, 2016: The article has been published.