Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
Do you like winter?Although winter is very cold, there are many unique ways to enjoy it: you can see a beautiful silver world created by pure white snow, and you can feel a special kind of warmth you can only experience in winter, like hot pot dishes or sitting in a kamakura snow hut.There are also lots of fun events like Christmas and New Year’s!Children are probably looking forward to making snowmen, having snowball fights, and enjoying Christmas presents and cakes, aren’t they?In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes, folk songs, traditional children’s songs, and hand-play songs themed around various aspects of “winter.”There are many songs that will turn a winter that’s “just cold” into wonderful memories, so please give them a listen!
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- [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
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- [Snow Songs] Classic winter tunes themed around snow. Snow songs that touch the heart.
- [Winter Songs] The Best Classic and Popular Winter Tunes to Listen to in Winter
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- [Children’s Song] A Collection of Hand Play Songs Perfect for Christmas
- Masterpieces to Listen to in January: New Year-Themed, New Year-Ready, and Winter Songs
- Recommended Christmas songs for people in their 70s: A collection of classic winter hits from the Showa era
- Popular winter songs on YouTube Shorts. Winter song special.
- [Elementary School Music] List of Popular and Nostalgic Songs That Have Appeared in Textbooks
Collection of winter children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter hand-play songs too (21–30)
winter sceneryMonbushō shōka
A set of lyrics in classical Japanese titled “Winter Scenery.” You might expect a stern winter song, yet its light triple meter and the 3-3-5 syllabic pattern make it a strangely soothing piece.
Unraveling the lyrics reveals early-winter scenes—mist, frost, and even mugi-fumi (the traditional practice of treading young wheat).
It is a song filled with a gentle beauty, as if timeless, nostalgic Japanese landscapes unfold before your eyes.
campfireSakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru
When we were children, you might remember seeing neighbors making small bonfires in their yards as summer faded into autumn.
In recent years, such scenes have become rare, but on chilly days, there’s still something about gathering around a fire with a few people.
It might be nice to sing this song while recalling those nostalgic memories.
I’m sure it will wrap your heart in a gentle warmth!
Collection of winter children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: Fun winter hand-play songs too (31–40)
bean-throwing (Mamemaki)
When it comes to Setsubun, many people probably think of this song.
“Mame-maki” (Bean Throwing) was included in a book published in 1933 (Showa 8) called “Ehon Shoka, Volume 1: Winter.” You can almost hear the pitter-patter of the beans and picture the ogres sneaking away.
It gives off a warm, charming feeling, doesn’t it? Setsubun is a traditional event to pray for good health and safety.
Even those who don’t usually take part might find themselves wanting to chant “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” and throw beans after listening to this song.
I turned into Santa
This is a hand game where you use five fingers to imitate Santa Claus’s face.
The original melody comes from “Ten Little Indians,” a song loved in English-speaking countries.
As one, two, and more fingers are added, it’s exciting to see what shape they’ll become next.
It’s also great for practicing counting, so it doubles as a brain workout! Enjoy playing it together with everyone!
Winter Wonderland
A popular American song that’s often played as a Christmas tune.
In Japan, it’s sometimes written as “Winter Wonderland” as is, but it’s also rendered as “Suteki na Yukigeshi” (Lovely Snow Scenery), among other titles.
This song evokes the exhilarating feeling of gliding swiftly on a sleigh through a pure white snowy landscape.
Of course there are Japanese lyrics, but the English lyrics aren’t very difficult, so it’s worth giving them a try! It perfectly suits the festive Christmas mood, so it’s also recommended for singing at Christmas parties.
Snow FestivalSakkyoku: Minami Ranbou
Snow Festival, broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1984.
The lyrics and music were written by Minami Ranbo, who was also active as an actor.
The piece features a grand, expansive sound and depicts the splendor of a festive scene.
The lyrics, which celebrate a uniquely Japanese winter event, convey the lively energy of children.
It’s a song whose passionate melody seems strong enough to blow away the winter cold.
Please listen to this children’s song that portrays people eagerly awaiting the warm spring sunshine.
Silent Night
Silent Night is one of the Christmas carols loved by many people.
Known as “Silent Night” in English, this song features lyrics celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
It was hastily composed as a piece that could be played on guitar after the organ broke, even though carols had been planned to be sung with the organ on Christmas Eve.
That song went on to become a quintessential Christmas classic, passed down and sung for centuries.
Its gentle melody feels soothing, as if it purifies the heart when you listen.
It’s easy to sing not only in Japanese but also in English, so give it a try!