December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
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.
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
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December nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children’s songs: Fun winter hand-play songs (61–70)
Even Kaze-san.Lyrics: Kaoru Shibayama / Music: Yoshinao Nakata
In winter, cold winds often blow.
This song brings those winds close to home; the wind that we used to think of as howling and unpleasant might stir different feelings.
You might hear it rattling the windows, whistling, turning the pages of a book.
.
.
Perhaps that’s because Mr.
Wind uses hands, a mouth, and eyes and lives just like we do? It’s a sweet, whimsical song.
fir treeGerman folk song
One of the Christmas carols originating in Germany.
This song is sung around the world and is well loved in Japan as a Christmas song.
The “fir tree” in the title is the tree used for Christmas trees.
In Northern Europe, where festivals that form the roots of Christmas existed even before the birth of Jesus, evergreen trees like firs that keep their leaves even in the cold were seen as special.
This is thought to be one reason fir trees began to be used for Christmas trees.
How about decorating your Christmas tree while listening to this song?
Santa Claus is comingLyrics and Music by O. Holdman
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a song about waiting excitedly for Santa’s arrival.
It’s a famous Christmas song released in 1947 by American singer-songwriter Gene Autry.
There are various Japanese translations, but versions that depict children singing as Santa comes are easier for kids to sing and are recommended.
In the original lyrics written by Gene Autry, you can sense not only the children’s cheerful spirits but also Santa’s gentle expression.
Winter WonderlandLyrics by Richard B. Smith / Music by Felix Bernard
The classic winter song “Winter Wonderland” conjures images of a beautiful silver world where children build snowmen and play by tossing snow.
Winter is usually a season when it’s hard to play outside because of the cold, but listening to this song makes you want to go out, doesn’t it? The English lyrics are especially well-known, so many kids may have sung it as part of their English studies.
Its poppy, cheerful melody makes it easy for children to learn! If it snows, be sure to give it a sing.
A town where snow fallsLyrics by Naoya Uchimura / Music by Yoshinao Nakata
Takashi Hideo, also known as a leading chanson singer in Japan, released the song “Yuki no Furu Machi o” in 1952, during his career as an actor and singer.
The lyrics were written by Naoya Uchimura, who worked as a playwright, and the music was composed by Yoshinao Nakada, known for works such as “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa.” Created as an insert song for the serial radio drama “Eriko to Tomoni,” it became a hit.
Interweaving a melancholy melody with lyrics that depict wintry scenes, the piece expresses the poignant longing of a heart awaiting spring.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little StarLyrics: Etsuko Takeshika / Music: French folk song
The parody of “Ah! Vous dirais-je, Maman,” known worldwide as the nursery rhyme “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” is also beloved in Japan as the song “Kira Kira Boshi.” The original lyrics express a child’s feelings as they want to talk with their mother.
This song is often sung as a lullaby and is a famous tune that people from newborns to adults have heard.
It isn’t specifically a winter song, but listening to it on a winter night while gazing at the stars is lovely, isn’t it? There’s also a simple hand play to go with it, so give it a try.
The Song of KonkonshyanLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama
When it comes to concerns in the depths of December, the height of winter, the common cold comes to mind.
In addition to keeping warm, washing hands, and gargling, wearing a mask to block germs is common practice.
Wearing a mask to avoid spreading a cold to others is also an important courtesy.
This children’s song is about animals who have caught a cold and are sneezing and coughing, all wearing masks.
The lyrics, which describe masks that suit each animal’s body, are adorable and make this a great recommendation for children who don’t like wearing masks!