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.
December children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: Fun winter hand-play songs (1–10)
snowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
[Snow] [Children’s Song] [Winter Song] Sing ♪ Dance ♪
The song “Yuki” (Snow), famous as a winter children’s song, is one that many people sang in their childhood regardless of generation.
Though the lyricist and composer are unknown, it has long been cherished in Japan as a Ministry of Education school song.
Many people may have learned from this song that cats love sitting under the kotatsu.
It’s often confused with another song that begins “Yuki ya konkon,” but the title is actually “Yuki.” It’s a very cheerful piece that evokes images of children and animals delighting in the falling snow and dashing about.
Cha-cha-cha of the SnowmanLyrics and Composition: Akira Tashiga
Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha: A perfect winter song and hand-play that makes kids in daycare and kindergarten delighted with “The snowman starts to dance~♪”
“Yukidaruma no Cha Cha Cha” is a popular song often sung in preschools and a winter children’s song that comes with fun hand motions.
Since it’s snowing, you make a snowman—and amazingly, the snowman starts to dance! It’s a tune that makes you feel great when you dance together with friends and family.
When it snows, try singing this song while building a snowman.
The hand-motion choreography is simple, so even little kids can copy it.
Listening to this song might spark interest—“What’s a snowman?”—and get children excited about winter.
Santa Claus the ScatterbrainLyrics by Osamu Yoshioka / Music by Asei Kobayashi
Yoshio Big Brother's 'The Hasty Santa Claus'
The multi-talented Asei Kobayashi composed the Christmas song “Awatembō no Santa Claus” (The Hasty Santa Claus).
It’s a cute song featuring a scatterbrained Santa, and it was even sung on NHK’s children’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” Santa comes before Christmas, tries to go down the chimney to deliver presents, and ends up falling in.
It’s a situation where most would feel discouraged, but this Santa’s charm is that he doesn’t forget to enjoy himself even then.
I hope the children who listen to this song will grow up to be as resilient and cheerful as Santa.
A song brimming with the spirit of winter has been born.
Created by Tsubasa Suzuki and Kazuto Ozawa, it features lyrics depicting a fairy casting a spell and fun choreography that children can enjoy.
Included on the CD “Ai wo Gyugyutto!” released in May 2022, it has become widely beloved in early childhood education settings.
As a play song that incorporates tickling and friendly interaction, it’s perfect for strengthening bonds between parents and children, as well as between caregivers and kids.
Why not sing and play along during winter events or joyful moments with family?
Abukutatta [with vocals] - Nursery Rhyme / Hand-Play Song
This is a traditional children’s song perfect for the winter season.
Children form a circle to sing and enjoy the accompanying movements, and it is cherished as a playful singing game.
It consists of three parts—cooking, getting ready for bed, and the appearance of a ghost—and features imaginative lyrics and actions.
It also has educational aspects that foster cooperation and creativity, making it beloved across generations.
This piece is ideal for families and friends to enjoy together and is recommended for indoor play on cold winter days.
It is also often incorporated into group activities at preschools and kindergartens, making it a fun song-and-dance that supports children’s development.
little foxLyrics: Katsuo Masaru / Music: German folk song
Baby Fox 🦊 (♪ Little fox konkon in the mountains ~) by Himawari 🌻 ×2 with lyrics | Ministry of Education Song | Baby fox |
Little Fox, based on a German folk song, was also selected as a Ministry of Education song and is a nursery rhyme often played on recorder and melodica in Japanese schools.
It depicts a fox living in the winter mountains and includes scenes where it enjoys makeup and hair ornaments like a human.
Because the song repeats the same melody and chorus phrases, it’s well-suited for children to sing during winter activities in early childhood settings.
With its lively rhythm, it’s also fun to perform as a chorus—a song themed around an adorable little fox.
