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
- [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 Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs (11–20)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerJonī Mākusu
One of the three great Christmas songs, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It depicts a reindeer who is laughed at for having a different-colored nose, then chosen by Santa and joyfully dashing through the night on Christmas.
It’s a song everyone knows, from children to adults, because it plays throughout towns and in stores during the holiday season.
But did you know the lyrics are this moving? There are moments when you can shine precisely because you have a unique trait that sets you apart.
This song itself feels like a gift—highly recommended for Christmas.
little foxsakushi: Katsu Tsuguo / sakkyoku: Doitsu min’yō
Little Fox, based on a German folk song, was also selected as a Ministry of Education song and is a nursery rhyme often played on recorder and melodica in Japanese schools.
It depicts a fox living in the winter mountains and includes scenes where it enjoys makeup and hair ornaments like a human.
Because the song repeats the same melody and chorus phrases, it’s well-suited for children to sing during winter activities in early childhood settings.
With its lively rhythm, it’s also fun to perform as a chorus—a song themed around an adorable little fox.
The Snow PainterSakushi: Noritake Akihiko / Sakkyoku: Ando Takashi
Yuki no Penki-ya-san (The Snow Painter) compares the white snow falling from the sky to paint.
The lyrics were written by Akihiko Noritake and the music composed by Takashi Ando.
It’s perfect for winter recreation to pair the lyrics—describing snow falling on rooftops and fences—with finger pointing and clapping hand-play activities.
The song is under a minute long, so learn the repeating melody and enjoy singing and dancing with the children.
It’s a children’s song ideal for December, evoking beautiful natural scenery of snowy landscapes.
Silent NightSakushi: Yugi Yasushi
The famous Christmas carol known as “Silent Night” is also called “Kiyoshi Kono Yoru” in Japanese.
In recent years, it’s often sung with English lyrics, but for those of the Showa generation, it was printed with Japanese lyrics in their music textbooks, so that version may feel more familiar.
In Japan, it’s a song you hear almost without fail during the Christmas season.
Its calm, soothing melody is perfect for the holy night, and it’s sometimes sung as a lullaby.
As a song for December, it’s one of the indispensable classics.
grandpa-and-grandma-like (folksy/old-timey vibe)warabeuta
This is a traditional Japanese children’s song (warabe-uta) themed around the classic winter pastime of kite flying.
It is enjoyed as a hand-clapping game in which children pair up, face each other, and sing while matching their hands.
The lyrics charmingly depict a kite getting caught on a telegraph pole and the children asking grandpa or grandma for help, offering a playful way to learn about seasonal events and everyday wisdom.
Passed down in communities, families, and early childhood settings, this song continues to be sung today, supporting children’s emotional development and the preservation of traditional culture.
Why not try singing it together with children?
Christmas is coming soon.Sakushi/Sakkyoku: Mine Masanobu
A heartwarming song that captures the joy and anticipation of Christmas.
Written and composed by Masanobu Mine, it was released as a CD with easy-to-follow play illustrations so parents and children can enjoy it together.
The song depicts decorating a Christmas tree step by step, expressing the excitement children feel.
Winning the Grand Prix at the 2nd A1 Asobi-Uta Grand Prix in September 2010, it is often sung at Christmas events in nurseries and kindergartens and is also popular as a hand-play song.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to savor the fun, festive atmosphere of Christmas with family and friends.
Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs for December: Fun winter fingerplay songs (21–30)
The Song of the Twelve Zodiac Animalssakushi/sakkyoku: Miyahira Rie
A fun children’s song themed around the Twelve Zodiac Animals has been created.
Crafted by Rie Miyahira, the piece features a rhythmic melody and friendly, easy-to-sing lyrics.
Incorporating hand claps, the verses introduce each of the zodiac animals in order, designed to help children learn them naturally.
In December 2020, it won the Excellence Award at the 9th La Pomme Grand Prize and was recommended for use in early childhood education settings.
Various cover versions and choreography videos are available on YouTube, making it a visually engaging teaching resource as well.
It’s perfect for group activities in nurseries and kindergartens, and also a song that parents and children can enjoy together at home.