[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.
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[Songs for February] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (41–50)
The Song of KonkonshyanSakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
Even if you try to be careful, it’s easy to catch a cold during the chilly winter, isn’t it? To prevent catching a cold—and to avoid passing it on to family and friends—masks are essential! But masks can feel a bit bothersome, and children in particular often don’t like wearing them.
That’s where the song “Konkon Kushan no Uta” can help change their attitude in a positive way.
It depicts various animals wearing masks suited to the size and shape of their faces, then sneezing and coughing.
As you listen, don’t you start to feel like wearing a cute mask that suits you, too?
Powdery snow konkoSakkyoku: Hirao Kishiō
Konayuki Konko evokes a scene of pure white powdery snow falling from the sky.
The lyrics were written by Toshiko Iijima, with music composed by Kishio Hirao.
The phrase “konko” is used at the end of lines, making the lyrics easy to remember.
Since the song as a whole is short, it’s also recommended for childcare settings.
It could be fun to create gestures or simple choreography to match words like “hands” or “apron.” It’s a perfect children’s song for the cold season in February—the height of winter.
Try singing it to the song’s relaxed tempo while gazing out the window at the snowy view.
Ski SongSakkyoku: Hashimoto Kunihiko
In February, when the winter cold is especially severe and snow easily accumulates, it’s a season when many people enjoy skiing.
This piece of music captures the full joy of skiing, expressing the magnificent mountain vistas that unfold as you glide down the slopes.
It is often sung as a choral piece accompanied by piano, and the lively piano tones vividly convey the fun of skiing.
The lyrics depict gleaming white slopes and the sensation of slicing through the wind as you descend, evoking the refreshing feel of winter air rushing past.
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.
pine coneSakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae
This song is a nursery rhyme with lyrics by Takao Hirota and music by Tsuyae Kobayashi.
The lyrics are short, but the use of geminate consonants adds rhythmic accents, and the repeated closing words give it a rhyming feel, making it a fun piece.
It’s also popular in preschools and kindergartens as a song to sing with hand motions.
Come to think of it, pine nuts used in Chinese cuisine and pasta come from edible pine cones, so singing while everyone snacks on pine nuts could make for a memorable experience.
It would also be fun to sing it together with “Donguri Korokoro.”
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.