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.
Playlist
| December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | snowMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The winter children’s song “Yuki,” loved across generations |
| 2 | Santa Claus the ScatterbrainSakushi: Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei |  play_arrow | The Fun Adventure Song of Santa the Scatterbrain |
| 3 | Cha-cha-cha of the SnowmanSakushi Sakkyoku: Tashiga Akira |  play_arrow | Let's enjoy winter with the Snowman Song |
| 4 | The department store with the penguin logoSakushi / Sakkyoku: Inukai Seiji |  play_arrow | Penguin hand-play songs are very popular with children. |
| 5 | Ticotin, the Winter FairyTsubasa Suzuki · Kazuto Ozawa |  play_arrow | Winter play songs for children deepen parent-child bonds |
| 6 | Kantarō the North Wind KidSakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako |  play_arrow | Kitaro the North Wind: a captivating winter song |
| 7 | Abuku-tattawarabeuta |  play_arrow | Play songs to enjoy winter with nursery rhymes |
| 8 | little foxsakushi: Katsu Tsuguo / sakkyoku: Doitsu min’yō |  play_arrow | A delightful nursery rhyme depicting a fox’s winter life |
| 9 | The Snow PainterSakushi: Noritake Akihiko / Sakkyoku: Ando Takashi |  play_arrow | A winter children’s song that likens snow to paint |
| 10 | Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerJonī Mākusu |  play_arrow | A song where the red-nosed reindeer lets its individuality shine |
| 11 | Silent NightSakushi: Yugi Yasushi |  play_arrow | The classic Christmas song “Silent Night” |
| 12 | grandpa-and-grandma-like (folksy/old-timey vibe)warabeuta |  play_arrow | A fun children's song for kite flying |
| 13 | Christmas is coming soon.Sakushi/Sakkyoku: Mine Masanobu |  play_arrow | A song that expresses the joy of Christmas |
| 14 | The Song of the Twelve Zodiac Animalssakushi/sakkyoku: Miyahira Rie |  play_arrow | A nursery rhyme about the twelve zodiac animals was created and became popular among children. |
| 15 | bonfireSakushi: Tatsumi Seika / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru |  play_arrow | The untold origin story of a children’s song that spread after the war |
| 16 | during winter |  play_arrow | The moon’s song that gently sang of dreams in winter’s slumber |
| 17 | The Snowman’s Magic |  play_arrow | A winter song that sings of the joy and poignancy of snowmen |
| 18 | Winter’s Daughter, Rikka-RokkaWatanabe Kaori |  play_arrow | A children's song depicting a world of snow |
| 19 | Santa Claus Is Coming to TownYakushi: Kōbe Takao / Sakkyoku: Fureddo Kūtsu |  play_arrow | A fun Christmas song by Santa Claus |
| 20 | oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)warabeuta |  play_arrow | Children’s play songs that convey warmth and empathy |
| 21 | Congratulations Christmas (We wish you a Merry Christmas)Igirisu min’yō |  play_arrow | The History and Allure of Christmas Songs |
| 22 | New Year (Japanese New Year)Sakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro |  play_arrow | The heart of a child eagerly awaiting the New Year |
| 23 | Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakushi / Sakkyoku: Tajiga Akira |  | Winter fingerplay song 'Yukidaruma no Cha-Cha-Cha' |
| 24 | little snow monkSakushi: Murayama Toshiko |  | A fun hand-play song that personifies snow |
| 25 | Ticotin, the winter fairySakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa |  play_arrow | Songs that parents and children can enjoy together in the cold season |
| 26 | fluffy snowteasobi |  play_arrow | Enjoy winter to the fullest with fun snowy hand-play songs! |
| 27 | Christmas on Rabbit MeadowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka |  play_arrow | A cute song of a rabbit waiting for Christmas |
| 28 | All ye faithful, make hasteGeorg Friedrich Händel |  play_arrow | Japanese Christmas songs loved around the world |
| 29 | I can hear the Christmas songShinzawa Toshihiko |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that depicts the joy of Christmas |
| 30 | winter sceneryMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A song depicting a day at the beginning of winter |
| 31 | Flying-in Santa Claus |  play_arrow | The tale of a Santa who arrived late for Christmas |
| 32 | The customer is Santa ClausSakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Hanaoka Yūhei |  play_arrow | Excitedly Waiting for Santa: A Christmas Song |
| 33 | Jingle Bellssakkyoku: jēmuzu rōdo piaponto |  play_arrow | Jingle Bells is a winter song that depicts a sleigh race. |
| 34 | Brr, it’s so cold.Sakushi: Ishihara Wasaburō / Sakkyoku: Tamura Torazō |  play_arrow | A children's song that expresses the cold of winter |
| 35 | I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa ClausSakkyoku: Tomī Kōnā |  play_arrow | Humor and Family Love in Christmas Songs |
| 36 | Happy Happy ChristmasBeibī Shāku to Pinkittsu |  play_arrow | Christmas song, popular characters sing |
| 37 | Christmas is the best!Ritoru Enjeru |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that sings of the joy of Christmas |
| 38 | Toy Cha-Cha-Chasakushi: nozaka akiyuki / sakkyoku: koshibe nobuyoshi |  play_arrow | A fun song where toys gather at night |
| 39 | The First Noel (牧人ひつじを)Sanbika 103-ban |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas carol celebrating the birth of Christ |
| 40 | Snow MonkSakushi: Murayama Toshiko |  play_arrow | Snow kobozu, a fleeting scene of snow |
| 41 | Snow Festivalsakushi sakkyoku: Minami Ranbō |  play_arrow | Singing of winter’s joys and a longing for spring |
| 42 | Snow DanceSakushi: Yui Keizō |  play_arrow | A captivating folk song that sings of the dance of snow |
| 43 | Christmas is comingSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka |  play_arrow | A song that sings of the fun and joy of Christmas |
| 44 | skiingSakushi: Shigure Otowa / Sakkyoku: Hirai Koizaburo |  play_arrow | A passionate song depicting the allure of skiing |
| 45 | A small nutSakushi: Umino Yōji / Sakkyoku: Bizē |  play_arrow | A song of memories of picking nuts with my father |
| 46 | White RoadSakushi: Umino Yōji / Sakkyoku: Vivarudi |  play_arrow | White road, the winter scenery of memories I walked with my mother |
| 47 | KodANUKI PonpoSakushi: Suzuki Etsuo / Sakkyoku: Oyama Takateru |  play_arrow | Koneta Raccoon Ponpo Sung by Atom Shimojo |
| 48 | Where is Santa Claus from?Sakushi: Takada Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Kikuchi Shunsuke |  play_arrow | A heartwarming masterpiece that delves into the mystery of Santa Claus |
| 49 | Glory in the highestSanbika 98-ban |  play_arrow | Christmas carol, the moving glory in the highest |
| 50 | I wonder if the rice crackers are done. |  play_arrow | Rice crackers taste best in autumn and winter. |
| 51 | oden (Japanese simmered hot pot dish) |  play_arrow | Oden is a winter tradition, and children's songs about it are also popular. |
| 52 | snow angel |  play_arrow | A snow angel’s song like a lullaby |
| 53 | Let’s decorate with holly (Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly)u~eruzu min’yō |  play_arrow | The Christmas song, The Holly and the Ivy |
| 54 | Little Drummer BoyKyasarin Kenikotto Dēvisu |  play_arrow | A poor boy celebrates the birth of Jesus with his drum. |
| 55 | Light of FirefliesSukottorando min’yō |  play_arrow | Auld Lang Syne is the closing song of the Kōhaku (Red and White) music show. |
| 56 | Pechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)Sakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku |  play_arrow | The warmth of a family gathered around a Russian fireplace |
| 57 | fir treeDoitsu min’yō |  play_arrow | The fir tree is the symbolic tree of Christmas. |
| 58 | Santa Claus is comingSakushi Sakkyoku / O. Hōrudoman |  play_arrow | A fun Christmas song by Santa Claus |
| 59 | Winter WonderlandSakushi: Richaado Bii Sumisu / Sakkyoku: Ferikusu Baanaado |  play_arrow | Playing in the snow with the classic winter song “Winter Wonderland” |
| 60 | Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starsakushi: Takeshika Etsuko / sakkyoku: Furansu min’yō |  play_arrow | The song of the stars “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is a nursery rhyme loved around the world. |
| 61 | Now, sing! Now, celebrate!yakushi: Nakayama Masaki |  play_arrow | Christmas carols and the history of Sicilian folk songs |
| 62 | sleddingYakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Ruroi Andāson |  play_arrow | Sleigh Ride is a winter classic, not a Christmas song. |
| 63 | Do you want to build a snowman?Kristen Anderson-Lopez, |  play_arrow | A famous song that sings about the sisterly love of Anna and Elsa |
| 64 | The wind and the snow are my friends.sakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi / sakkyoku: neruson & rorinz |  play_arrow | A winter song that sings of the friendship between wind and snow |
| 65 | Winter Constellationsakushi: horiuchi keizō |  | A beautiful song that depicts a winter night sky full of stars |
| 66 | Wish Upon a StarSakushi: Neddo Washinton/ Sakkyoku: Rī Hārain |  play_arrow | When You Wish Upon a Star, the famous song from the film Pinocchio |
| 67 | oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game) |  play_arrow | Oshikura manju is a winter playground song. |
| 68 | MorgenröteDoitsu min’yō |  play_arrow | Alpine winter scenery, singing the hearts of youth |
| 69 | Merry Little ChristmasHyū Māchin / Rarufu Burēn |  play_arrow | The warm prayers and love of Christmas songs |
| 70 | Christmas songMeru Tōme/Bobu Weruzu |  play_arrow | A winter song, finished in 35 minutes in midsummer |
| 71 | Silver BellRei Evuansu/Jei Ribingusuton |  play_arrow | Christmas draws near, a heartwarming melody |
| 72 | TroikaRoshia min’yō |  play_arrow | The Tale of the Three-Horse Carriage: Joy and Sorrow |
| 73 | O Holy NightSakushi: J. Douwaito / Sakkyoku: C. Adamas |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas song that moves you with its majestic beauty |
| 74 | Powdery snow, konkoSakushi: Iijima Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Hirao Kishio |  play_arrow | The winter children’s song “Konayuki Konko” views snow from a child’s perspective, waiting for it to fall. |
| 75 | at the end of the wastelandSanbika 106-ban |  play_arrow | A traditional classic Christmas carol |
| 76 | the Son of GodSanbika 111-ban |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas song celebrating the birth of the Son of God |
| 77 | Grill the mochiwarabeuta |  play_arrow | Prepare mochi, an essential for New Year’s. |
| 78 | Even Kaze-san.Sakushi: Shibayama Kaoru / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao |  play_arrow | Gentle music that feels like the winter wind |
| 79 | A town where snow fallsSakushi: Uchimura Naoya / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao |  play_arrow | Takao Hideo’s classic “Yuki no Furu Machi o,” a song that sings of winter’s melancholy. |
| 80 | The Song of KonkonshyanSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira |  play_arrow | For cold prevention, value health and consideration by wearing a mask. |
| 81 | Snow and ChildrenSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi |  play_arrow | In the snow-filled winter, a child's joyful dream |
| 82 | Winter nightMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A warm time spent with family on a snowy night |