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.
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
- [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 Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs (11–20)
bonfireSakushi: Tatsumi Seika / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru
Its first appearance was in NHK’s radio program “Toddler Time” in 1941.
It became widely known after the war, was adopted in school textbooks, and in 2007 it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Greatest Songs.
It is said that the lyricist Seika Tatsumi wrote the lyrics after seeing a bonfire being made at a nearby mansion.
during winter
This is a charming song with a gentle perspective that imagines what fans and wind chimes sleeping in the closet, and acorns in the soil, dream about during the winter.
It was broadcast on NHK E-Tele’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the Monthly Song for January 2017.
The song is included on the album NHK Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album Plus “Yakusoku Haaai!”, released the same year.
It’s a perfect piece for the season of eagerly awaiting spring—please enjoy it in a warm room!
The Snowman’s Magic
The fun of building a snowman—and the bittersweet feeling when it eventually melts—is a special experience unique to winter.
Broadcast as the January 2007 song on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” this piece was performed by Yuzo Imai and Shoko Haida.
It was also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho: Latest Best—Kimi no Koe,” released in October of the same year, and has been loved for a long time.
Listen to it at the end of winter, and you’ll surely find yourself eagerly awaiting spring.
Enjoy it slowly with your child as you picture the scenes together!
Winter’s Daughter, Rikka-RokkaWatanabe Kaori
You can picture a scene where pure white snow is dancing down from the sky.
This song originally aired on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the “Song of the Month” for January 2014.
With a rhythmic, charming play of words, it lightly portrays a world of ice and snow.
How about listening to it on a snowy day indoors while moving your bodies together with your child? It will surely warm your hearts!
Santa Claus Is Coming to TownYakushi: Kōbe Takao / Sakkyoku: Fureddo Kūtsu
The Christmas song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” which became popular after being broadcast on a radio program in 1934.
Its English title is “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and in Japan it is known for Takao Kobe’s Japanese lyrics.
It’s a song that makes children happy, thinking, “Santa is coming to see us!”, while for adults it evokes nostalgia for the days when Christmas meant receiving presents.
Its bright, rhythmic melody heightens the festive Christmas mood even more.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)warabeuta
Loved as a traditional Japanese children’s song, this piece is a playful tune children enjoy while warming themselves in the cold season.
The lyrics, which describe the playful pushing of manju buns, are filled with children’s innocent sense of fun.
Despite its simple words, it is a profound song that teaches the importance of huddling together and sharing warmth.
The lyrics and the way it’s played vary slightly by region and era, and it has been cherished throughout Japan.
Even today, it is used in nursery schools and kindergartens to promote communication and physical activity among children.
On a cold winter’s day, singing and playing it with family or friends is sure to warm both heart and body.
Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs for December: Fun winter fingerplay songs (21–30)
Congratulations Christmas (We wish you a Merry Christmas)Igirisu min’yō
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” originated as an English folk song from the 16th-century West Country and is a song that celebrates the arrival of Christmas and the New Year.
In Japan, it is affectionately known as “Omedetō Christmas.” Christmas songs performed by Disney characters like Mickey and Donald are well known, and in recent years, cover versions by the Disney Princesses have also been released.