[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
February brings Setsubun and the chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” In nurseries and kindergartens, there are likely many chances to sing songs related to Setsubun.
But in fact, there are plenty of songs perfect for February beyond just Setsubun tunes! In this article, we introduce songs connected to February and children’s songs that are perfect for the harshly cold season.
Many of them can be sung with hand-play motions, so children are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of them on days when it’s too cold to play outside or during music time.
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
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- [For Seniors] February Songs You’ll Want to Hum: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics
- [Childcare] Fun Songs for 2-Year-Olds to Sing! Recommended Song Collection
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- [Setsubun Song] Demons out, fortune in! Bean-throwing songs to enjoy on Setsubun
- Timeless songs you’ll want to listen to in February: winter songs and Valentine’s songs.
- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- March nursery rhymes & hand play songs! Spring songs you can enjoy with your kids
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: a collection of classic songs you'll want to sing with your children
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- Childcare: Today's recommended fun songs
[Songs for February] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (41–50)
Winter nightMonbushō shōka
Here is a song that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968.
It originally comes from the Ministry of Education’s collection of school songs, and the author is officially unknown.
As research progresses, we may someday learn who wrote it.
The lyrics, which depict a family gathered around a sunken hearth on a winter night as the cold bites and snow flurries fall, paired with a perfectly matching melody, are truly captivating.
The contrast between the scenes outside and inside is wonderful as well.
I hope beautiful Japanese songs like this will continue to be passed down and sung in the future.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
On cold days, you just want to snuggle up to someone and feel a bit of warmth! The perfect play song for times like that is “Oshikura Manju.” A few people huddle together, link arms with the person next to them, and sing while pushing each other with their backs and bottoms.
The idea is that since everyone’s pushing one another, even if it hurts a little, no crying! As you sing and move your bodies while pushing, you gradually warm up.
The key to really feeling the warmth is to play with at least four people.
The more people you have, the more power you get, and the more fun and cozy it becomes!
White RoadSakkyoku: Vivuarudi
“Shiroi Michi” (The White Road) depicts someone walking alone along a snow-covered white path, recalling memories from days spent with their mother.
In fact, this song sets lyrics to the second movement of that famous composer Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in F minor “Winter,” RV 297! Vivaldi’s original piece also had an accompanying sonnet, though its content differs from that of “Shiroi Michi.” The lyrics, which sing of nostalgic memories, really tug at the heartstrings.
When a child sings it, it might even bring a tear to Mom’s or Dad’s eyes!
Elephant’s hatSakkyoku: Nakamura Hiroaki
This is a nursery rhyme that was also sung on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” It’s a very cute song in which various animals go into an elephant’s big hat.
In preschools, it seems they make the hat and animals and play with the children while singing.
In winter, using a knitted hat makes it look nice and warm.
Spring StreamMonbushō shōka
As we get into the latter half of February, you can almost hear the footsteps of spring approaching, can’t you? A perfect song for that moment is “Spring Brook.” It describes how a brook that was frozen or sluggish through the winter begins to flow freely again as the weather warms and the snow melts.
At the same time, it conveys a gentle affection for the colorful flowers blooming nearby and the lively creatures moving about.
Written by lyricist Tatsuyuki Takano and composed by Teiichi Okano, the song originally had three verses, but the lyrics were revised several times before settling into their current form.
It’s a piece that lets you eagerly look forward to the arrival of spring.
Snow Festivalsakushi sakkyoku: Minami Ranbō
Here’s a song that was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1984.
It was written by Minami Ranbō, who also created “Yamaguchi-san Chi no Tsutomu-kun,” another song featured on Minna no Uta.
It portrays the longing for spring during the harsh winters spent in Japan’s remote regions.
While the melody evokes traditional Japanese folk songs, a notable point is its incorporation of the baião rhythm from Brazilian folk music.
Some say that peoples with the same roots live in both South America and Japan, which might be why it feels nostalgic.
Snowball fightMonbushō shōka
This is a nursery song themed around the ever-popular traditional winter play: snowball fights.
It depicts children splitting into teams and throwing snow under a clear blue sky.
Because many lines repeat the same melody, it’s easy to memorize even for those who aren’t confident singers.
You’ll likely relate to the lyrics that capture that familiar moment when you suddenly find yourself getting seriously into the snowball fight.
It’s also recommended for February snow play, sports, and recreation.
Try singing it to a melody line that carries a touch of nostalgia.
