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.
Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs for December: Fun winter fingerplay songs (21–30)
New Year (Japanese New Year)Sakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro
Some of you might think it’s a song for January rather than December.
But if you listen closely, you’ll see that it’s actually a song about looking forward to the New Year’s arrival—it isn’t New Year’s yet.
When we were kids, we were really excited for New Year’s to come because we’d get New Year’s money (otoshidama).
Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakushi / Sakkyoku: Tajiga Akira
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku_first/video/7459529680849276167Let me introduce a song that will make you want to move your body with lively energy to cheerful Latin rhythms! “The Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha” is a hand-play song with lyrics and music by Akira Tashiga, hugely popular in preschools and kindergartens.
Its fun progression—like a family growing as you build snowmen—and the catchy calls echoed in the title captivate children’s hearts.
The album “January’s Exciting Songs: Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids,” which includes tracks such as Junko Uchida’s recording, was released in August 2018.
You can clap along and strike poses to the music, making it perfect for indoor play on cold days.
It’s a classic winter song that teachers, friends, and parents and children can all enjoy together.
little snow monkSakushi: Murayama Toshiko
@bombomacademy Yukinoko-bōzuHand games#Fingerplay SongWinter songnursery rhymeChildren's songChildren’s song#kidssong#Nursery school#Kindergarten#nurseryrhymes#japaneseculture#Bonbon AcademyIchinaruIcchi-naru
♫ Original Song – BonBon Academy – BonBon Academy
Let us introduce a song that likens snowflakes drifting down from the sky to cute little characters.
With lyrics by Toshiko Murayama, it humorously personifies snow as it falls onto roofs, slides, ponds, and more—only to melt away.
In fact, this song uses the same melody as the well-known hand-play tune “The Itomaki Song.” The melody is said to originate from a Danish folk song, and records show it was included in a Japanese songbook published in May 1957, indicating it has been sung for many years.
It has also become established as a play song with actions that match the lyrics, making it perfect for recreational activities in nurseries and kindergartens.
On a cold day, if you look out the window and sing it while moving your bodies together as a parent and child, it’s sure to warm both your hearts and bodies.
Ticotin, the winter fairySakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa
Do you know a perfect song for parent-child bonding that warms the heart in the cold season? It’s a play song you can enjoy with tickling games while imagining a winter fairy casting magic.
Move your body to the mysterious, magical-sounding words, and you might just forget the cold.
Created by Tsubasa Suzuki and Kazuto Ozawa, this piece is included on the album “Arigatou no Aoi Sora [Blue],” released in June 2016.
Packed with playfulness in a short track, it’s handy for kicking off activities at nurseries and kindergartens, or for filling small pockets of time.
Tickling play that brings out children’s laughter is also perfect for indoor fun on chilly days, don’t you think?
fluffy snowteasobi
Here’s a unique hand-play song that’s perfect for the winter season, letting you enjoy the chill of snow and delicious food all at once! “Fluffy Fluffy Snow” is a tune where you gather the snow falling from the sky and, keeping the rhythm, make an adorable snowman.
The playful lyrics, which imagine parts like the eyes and mouth as mandarins and strawberries, spark children’s imaginations.
Released in May 2019 as a hand-play activity recipe, the song spread through word of mouth in childcare settings and via videos, and has become widely used as an introduction to winter craft activities.
If you turn it into a panel theater activity, you can have fun creating all kinds of expressions with the children, and it also helps them learn the names of vegetables and fruits! How about keeping warm indoors during the cold season while everyone sings and plays together?
Christmas on Rabbit MeadowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
Usagi Nohara no Christmas (Christmas on Rabbit Meadow) depicts rabbit children eagerly awaiting Christmas.
The lyrics are by Toshihiko Shinzawa and the music by Hirotaka Nakagawa.
Bright sleigh bells and a bouncy piano part ring out with a lively sparkle.
It’s fun to clap along or play bells to the rhythm of the song.
The lyrics, which conjure up cute rabbits braving the cold winter, also evoke the season, making it a classic children’s song for winter.
As you make wishes upon the night stars and wait for Christmas with the children, be sure to give it a listen.
All ye faithful, make hasteGeorg Friedrich Händel
Based on the Christmas carol “Joy to the World,” which enjoys worldwide popularity especially in Europe and the United States, “Morobito Kozorite” is also beloved in Japan as a Christmas hymn and is a song of national renown.
Accompanied by a beautiful melody that celebrates the festive arrival of Christmas, its lyrics express gratitude for the Lord’s coming.
It’s perfect for mixed chorus with piano accompaniment or for handbell performances, and it’s a Christmas song that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.