December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
When it comes to December, it’s the season that makes you excited and a little restless, with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and preparations for the New Year.
Especially as kids, there was so much to look forward to—not just Christmas, but winter break and playing in the snow when it fell.
In this article, we’ll introduce children’s songs perfect for this wonderful month of December, along with playful songs everyone can enjoy and traditional nursery rhymes that have long been popular.
Most of these are for children, but there are also moving masterpieces that resonate deeply with adults.
Try listening while feeling the crisp air outside, or while staying cozy and warm indoors.
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
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- [For Seniors] Beloved songs to sing in December: heartwarming moments with nostalgic kayōkyoku and children’s songs
- [Childcare] Recommended songs and nursery rhymes for November: Fun autumn fingerplay songs
- [For people in their 90s] Recommended Christmas songs: from nostalgic school songs and hymns to timeless classics
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- [Christmas Songs] Christmas songs to sing with children
- Recommended Christmas songs for people in their 70s: A collection of classic winter hits from the Showa era
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- Songs we want children to listen to! Recommended Christmas songs and nursery rhymes
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
December nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children’s songs: Fun winter hand-play songs (61–70)
The wind and the snow are my friends.sakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi / sakkyoku: neruson & rorinz
Based on the American nursery song “Frosty the Snowman,” “Kaze mo Yuki mo Tomodachi da” (“The Wind and Snow Are Our Friends”) was composed by Nelson & Rollins, with Japanese lyrics by Junichi Kobayashi of the Department of Children’s Literature.
It depicts children energetically playing amidst scenes of blowing wind and falling snow.
With its lively rhythm and cheerful melody, it’s also great for hand-play along with piano accompaniment.
This piece resounds with a warm sound that can blow away the chill of winter.
How about listening to it together with the original song that tells the snowman’s poignant story?
Winter Constellationsakushi: horiuchi keizō
Published in a junior high school music textbook in 1947 and selected as one of Japan’s 100 best songs, “Fuyu no Seiza” (Winter Constellations) uses the melody of “Mollie Darling” composed by American composer William Hayes, with lyrics written by Keizo Horiuchi.
The lyrics depict constellations shining in the winter night sky, intertwined with a clear, crystalline melody that evokes the cold season.
It’s a winter song best enjoyed on a quiet winter night while gazing up at the sky.
Wish Upon a StarSakushi: Neddo Washinton/ Sakkyoku: Rī Hārain
The original title is “When You Wish upon a Star.” It’s famous as the theme song of Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio.
Sung by Cliff Edwards, who played Jiminy Cricket, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
In Sweden and Norway, it’s a Christmas song about the Star of Bethlehem.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)
This song is charming for its friendly melody and playful lyrics that use the image of manju buns.
Born from the wisdom of keeping warm, it has been passed down across generations as a game that shares warmth and smiles.
Beyond its value as a play song, it is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, even appearing in haiku as a winter season word.
On a cold winter day, if you sing it while actually doing oshikura manju—huddling and gently pushing each other—children will surely feel not only the warmth of skin, but also the joy of time spent with friends and family.
MorgenröteDoitsu min’yō
The children’s song “Morgenröte,” which depicts Germany’s beautiful winter scenery, sings of the chill of the vast Alps bathed in the dawn glow and of setting out with resolve.
Its warmly colored sound, evocative of a bright winter morning, matches lyrics themed around a crystal-clear youthful heart.
After it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968, it gained popularity in Japan as well.
Its melody gently envelops the cold of winter and offers comfort.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to in winter while taking in the richness of nature.
Merry Little ChristmasHyū Māchin / Rarufu Burēn
An insert song sung by leading actress Judy Garland in the 1944 film “Meet Me in St.
Louis.” Covered by many artists, it’s a Christmas song loved around the world.
The lyrics are a touch bittersweet, but the wish of “May you have a merry little Christmas” warms the cold season with its gentle glow.
Christmas songMeru Tōme/Bobu Weruzu
This is a very romantic Christmas song composed by Mel Tormé, the American genius jazz singer known as “The Velvet Fog.” Roasting chestnuts over an open fire, a winter wind that makes your nose tingle… just listening to it makes you think, “Ah, it’s winter.” But in fact, the song was written in the middle of summer.
It apparently started with a “man, it’s hot—let’s think of something cool” vibe and was finished in about 35 minutes.
No wonder he’s called a genius.