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.
Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for December: Fun winter hand play songs (51–60)
fir treeDoitsu min’yō
One of the Christmas carols originating in Germany.
This song is sung around the world and is well loved in Japan as a Christmas song.
The “fir tree” in the title is the tree used for Christmas trees.
In Northern Europe, where festivals that form the roots of Christmas existed even before the birth of Jesus, evergreen trees like firs that keep their leaves even in the cold were seen as special.
This is thought to be one reason fir trees began to be used for Christmas trees.
How about decorating your Christmas tree while listening to this song?
Santa Claus is comingSakushi Sakkyoku / O. Hōrudoman
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a song about waiting excitedly for Santa’s arrival.
It’s a famous Christmas song released in 1947 by American singer-songwriter Gene Autry.
There are various Japanese translations, but versions that depict children singing as Santa comes are easier for kids to sing and are recommended.
In the original lyrics written by Gene Autry, you can sense not only the children’s cheerful spirits but also Santa’s gentle expression.
Winter WonderlandSakushi: Richaado Bii Sumisu / Sakkyoku: Ferikusu Baanaado
The classic winter song “Winter Wonderland” conjures images of a beautiful silver world where children build snowmen and play by tossing snow.
Winter is usually a season when it’s hard to play outside because of the cold, but listening to this song makes you want to go out, doesn’t it? The English lyrics are especially well-known, so many kids may have sung it as part of their English studies.
Its poppy, cheerful melody makes it easy for children to learn! If it snows, be sure to give it a sing.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starsakushi: Takeshika Etsuko / sakkyoku: Furansu min’yō
The parody of “Ah! Vous dirais-je, Maman,” known worldwide as the nursery rhyme “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” is also beloved in Japan as the song “Kira Kira Boshi.” The original lyrics express a child’s feelings as they want to talk with their mother.
This song is often sung as a lullaby and is a famous tune that people from newborns to adults have heard.
It isn’t specifically a winter song, but listening to it on a winter night while gazing at the stars is lovely, isn’t it? There’s also a simple hand play to go with it, so give it a try.
December nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children’s songs: Fun winter hand-play songs (61–70)
Now, sing! Now, celebrate!yakushi: Nakayama Masaki
The hymn “Come, Sing, Come, Rejoice,” perfect for Christmas, is a Christmas carol famous in Germany, but it actually has its roots in a Sicilian folk song.
Johannes Daniel Falk wrote the lyrics for the children of an orphanage, and because he used a Sicilian Marian hymn for the melody, it came to be regarded as a Sicilian folk tune.
With Japanese lyrics also available, the song conveys a wish to celebrate a night as beautiful and pure as Christmas with hearts that are just as pure.
sleddingYakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Ruroi Andāson
The piece Sleigh Ride is often played as in-store BGM during the Christmas season.
But in fact, it isn’t a Christmas song.
It was composed as an orchestral work by composer Leroy Anderson.
Many children look forward to going sledding in winter, and this piece vividly portrays the lively, joyful fun of a sleigh ride.
It may not be a Christmas song, but it’s a classic winter tune I highly recommend for children!
Do you want to build a snowman?Kristen Anderson-Lopez,
A song from the Disney film Frozen, which was a huge hit in Japan.
It depicts Anna inviting Elsa, who is shut away in her room, to build a snowman together.
As the song progresses, time passes quickly, and in the end it portrays the loneliness of being just the two of them, while also conveying Anna’s hope that the two of them can move forward together.