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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- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
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- Songs we want children to listen to! Recommended Christmas songs and nursery rhymes
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
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- Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food
- [Children’s Song] A Collection of Hand Play Songs Perfect for Christmas
- The World of Kagoshima Folk Songs: Traditional Melodies that Carry On the Spirit of the Hometown
December Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs (11–20)
Christmas is coming soon.Lyrics/Music: Masanobu Mine
A heartwarming song that captures the joy and anticipation of Christmas.
Written and composed by Masanobu Mine, it was released as a CD with easy-to-follow play illustrations so parents and children can enjoy it together.
The song depicts decorating a Christmas tree step by step, expressing the excitement children feel.
Winning the Grand Prix at the 2nd A1 Asobi-Uta Grand Prix in September 2010, it is often sung at Christmas events in nurseries and kindergartens and is also popular as a hand-play song.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to savor the fun, festive atmosphere of Christmas with family and friends.
New Year (Japanese New Year)Lyrics by Kume Azuma / Music by Rentarō Taki
Some of you might think it’s a song for January rather than December.
But if you listen closely, you’ll see that it’s actually a song about looking forward to the New Year’s arrival—it isn’t New Year’s yet.
When we were kids, we were really excited for New Year’s to come because we’d get New Year’s money (otoshidama).
Silent NightLyrics: Yasushi Yugi
The famous Christmas carol known as “Silent Night” is also called “Kiyoshi Kono Yoru” in Japanese.
In recent years, it’s often sung with English lyrics, but for those of the Showa generation, it was printed with Japanese lyrics in their music textbooks, so that version may feel more familiar.
In Japan, it’s a song you hear almost without fail during the Christmas season.
Its calm, soothing melody is perfect for the holy night, and it’s sometimes sung as a lullaby.
As a song for December, it’s one of the indispensable classics.
Congratulations Christmas (We wish you a Merry Christmas)British folk song
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” originated as an English folk song from the 16th-century West Country and is a song that celebrates the arrival of Christmas and the New Year.
In Japan, it is affectionately known as “Omedetō Christmas.” Christmas songs performed by Disney characters like Mickey and Donald are well known, and in recent years, cover versions by the Disney Princesses have also been released.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerJohnny Marks
One of the three great Christmas songs, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It depicts a reindeer who is laughed at for having a different-colored nose, then chosen by Santa and joyfully dashing through the night on Christmas.
It’s a song everyone knows, from children to adults, because it plays throughout towns and in stores during the holiday season.
But did you know the lyrics are this moving? There are moments when you can shine precisely because you have a unique trait that sets you apart.
This song itself feels like a gift—highly recommended for Christmas.
bonfireLyrics: Seika Tatsumi / Music: Shigeru Watanabe
Its first appearance was in NHK’s radio program “Toddler Time” in 1941.
It became widely known after the war, was adopted in school textbooks, and in 2007 it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Greatest Songs.
It is said that the lyricist Seika Tatsumi wrote the lyrics after seeing a bonfire being made at a nearby mansion.
Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs for December: Fun winter fingerplay songs (21–30)
I can hear the Christmas songToshihiko Niizawa
In snow-swirling December, a heartwarming song capturing the joy of Christmas has arrived from Toshihiko Shinzawa.
Since its release in July 1996, this piece has continued to be cherished in kindergartens and nursery schools.
Featured on the album “SEASON,” the winter magic packed into its roughly 3 minutes and 45 seconds makes children’s eyes sparkle.
Decorating the Christmas tree, the anticipation of presents, the sound of sleigh bells ringing through the streets.
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The lyrics reflect a child’s heart just as it is.
Whether enjoying Christmas with the whole family or singing together in early childhood settings, this work is sure to create wonderful memories.