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!
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Collection of winter children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter finger-play songs too (41–50)
Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman
The hand-play song “Yukidaruma no Cha-Cha-Cha” is very popular with little children.
Cha-cha-cha is a dance rhythm that originated in Cuba, characterized by an accent of “cha-cha-cha” at the end of a phrase.
In this song, after singing each phrase, you clap your hands or use bells or castanets to add a “cha-cha-cha” and play along.
It’s perfect for playing with kids on cold days when you can’t go outside.
Collection of Winter Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children's Songs: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs Too (51–60)
Let’s decorate with holly.
It’s a piece with a bright, lighthearted melody that seems to blow away the chill of winter.
Based on a traditional Welsh festive song, it is widely loved as a tune that symbolizes the joy and celebratory atmosphere of Christmas.
The repeated “fa-la-la” phrase enhances the sense of fun and creates a heartwarming mood.
It is sung around the world, especially in English-speaking countries, and in Japan, Isao Matsuzaki’s Japanese translation is included as No.
129 in the Hymnal Second Volume.
It has also influenced pop culture, appearing, for example, in the opening scene of the film The Addams Family.
It’s perfect for singing and enjoying with family and friends during the Christmas season, so be sure to try singing it together.
New Year’s mochi pounding
This is a hand-clapping game played in pairs.
The unique “pettanko” sound is sure to bring out smiles.
It’s a bit advanced, but once you get hooked, you’ll want to try it over and over! Let’s have fun together with a challenging hand game and get everyone excited! Grown-ups, practice thoroughly beforehand and show off your cool moves in front of the kids!
shepherds and sheep
Although it is a Christmas carol sung in the winter season, it is also a well-loved children’s song in Japan.
It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and depicts angels announcing the Savior’s birth to shepherds.
Originating from a folk melody passed down in England’s western regions since before the 17th century, it became widely known after William Sandys published it in 1833.
Its gentle and solemn tone perfectly suits the Christmas atmosphere.
The Japanese translation is by Shuichi Tsugawa, and it is included as hymn number 103 in the 1954 edition of “Sanbika.” As a traditional hymn sung in churches and homes during the Christmas season, it is cherished by many, so please try singing it with your family.
Santa Claus the ScatterbrainSakushi: Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
A lively, snappy duple-time Japanese Christmas song with a fun “zun-cha, zun-cha” rhythm.
It was created by a powerhouse duo: composer Asei Kobayashi, who produced numerous long-running hits for commercials and TV themes that everyone has heard, and lyricist Osamu Yoshioka, known for many children’s songs and anime theme lyrics.
It’s a wonderful Christmas song that makes a joyful Christmas even more fun.
All people, gather together (Hymn No. 112)
This hymn is memorable for its refrain, “The Lord has come.” There’s a theory that it was composed by Handel, a Baroque-era musician, but it is said that Lowell Mason, the father of American hymnody, composed it based on Handel’s Messiah.
The expansive opening does feel quite Handel-like.
In Japan, it’s well known as one of the Christmas carols that can be heard everywhere when winter comes.
Hitotsu to ya
This song, loved for many years as a traditional Japanese children’s song, uses the numbers from one to twelve to depict New Year scenes and children at play.
It features a simple melody and rhythmical, alliterative lyrics, and is also known as a handball (temari) song that children can sing while playing.
It’s interesting that the lyrics and melody vary by region and era.
It was reportedly recorded on SP records in the early Showa period.
More recently, it was even referenced in the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
It’s especially nice to sing together as a family in winter, particularly around the New Year.
It’s also a great opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture.