Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
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!”

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.

December nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children’s songs: Fun winter hand-play songs (81–90)

Snow and ChildrenSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi

[Children's Song] Snow and Children [Minna no Uta]

Snow and ChildrenSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi

The children’s song “Yuki to Kodomo” (Snow and Children) first aired on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1962.

Its melody was composed based on a Norwegian children’s song, with the lyrics written by children’s literature scholar Junichi Kobayashi.

The song expresses the excitement of children hoping for white snow to pile up.

Their eagerness for winter play comes through, including lively scenes of them hurrying to hop on vehicles and race along.

With its somewhat wistful, minor-key melody, the song evokes the chill of winter.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Winter nightMonbushō shōka

Winter Night (♫ Near the Lamplight ~) by Sunflower ×4 [Chorus] with Lyrics

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.