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)
I can hear the Christmas songShinzawa Toshihiko
In snow-swirling December, a heartwarming song capturing the joy of Christmas has arrived from Toshihiko Shinzawa.
Since its release in July 1996, this piece has continued to be cherished in kindergartens and nursery schools.
Featured on the album “SEASON,” the winter magic packed into its roughly 3 minutes and 45 seconds makes children’s eyes sparkle.
Decorating the Christmas tree, the anticipation of presents, the sound of sleigh bells ringing through the streets…
The lyrics reflect a child’s heart just as it is.
Whether enjoying Christmas with the whole family or singing together in early childhood settings, this work is sure to create wonderful memories.
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!
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?