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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- [Childcare] Recommended songs and nursery rhymes for November: Fun autumn fingerplay songs
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- [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.
Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for December: Fun winter hand play songs (71–80)
Grill the mochiwarabeuta
We prepare mochi, an essential part of New Year’s, in December.
It’s a traditional Japanese scene, but the association of “New Year’s = mochi” seems to have faded somewhat over time.
Speaking of mochi, there’s this song, Mochikko Yaite.
Its lyrics—“Let’s grill the mochi, dip it in soy sauce, and eat it; it’s sure to be delicious”—evoke the image of diligently getting ready while reflecting on how quickly time passes.
It’s also fun to change it up with kinako or sweet red bean paste and sing together with everyone.
Even Kaze-san.Sakushi: Shibayama Kaoru / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
In winter, cold winds often blow.
This song brings those winds close to home; the wind that we used to think of as howling and unpleasant might stir different feelings.
You might hear it rattling the windows, whistling, turning the pages of a book…
Perhaps that’s because Mr.
Wind uses hands, a mouth, and eyes and lives just like we do? It’s a sweet, whimsical song.
A town where snow fallsSakushi: Uchimura Naoya / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
Takashi Hideo, also known as a leading chanson singer in Japan, released the song “Yuki no Furu Machi o” in 1952, during his career as an actor and singer.
The lyrics were written by Naoya Uchimura, who worked as a playwright, and the music was composed by Yoshinao Nakada, known for works such as “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa.” Created as an insert song for the serial radio drama “Eriko to Tomoni,” it became a hit.
Interweaving a melancholy melody with lyrics that depict wintry scenes, the piece expresses the poignant longing of a heart awaiting spring.
December nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children’s songs: Fun winter hand-play songs (81–90)
The Song of KonkonshyanSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
When it comes to concerns in the depths of December, the height of winter, the common cold comes to mind.
In addition to keeping warm, washing hands, and gargling, wearing a mask to block germs is common practice.
Wearing a mask to avoid spreading a cold to others is also an important courtesy.
This children’s song is about animals who have caught a cold and are sneezing and coughing, all wearing masks.
The lyrics, which describe masks that suit each animal’s body, are adorable and make this a great recommendation for children who don’t like wearing masks!
Winter nightMonbushō shōka
A Ministry of Education school song depicting warm moments spent with family on a cold winter night with falling snow.
Released in 1912, this piece richly expresses family togetherness around the irori hearth.
Though a blizzard rages outside, the house is cozy and warm.
You can picture the mother sewing clothes and the father telling old stories.
Featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it has become a classic that lingers in many hearts.
Listening to it in the cold season is sure to warm your spirit.
A song that evokes a Japanese winter scene, beloved across generations.
In conclusion
There turned out to be quite a lot of nursery rhymes and children’s songs perfect for December, didn’t there? I imagine many of them were familiar to you.
Try singing or listening to them while recalling the quiet atmosphere of winter and the excitement of the season’s events, and enjoy yourself.