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
- [Christmas Songs] Christmas songs to sing with children
- 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
Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for December: Fun winter hand-play songs (41–50)
MorgenröteGerman folk song
The children’s song “Morgenröte,” which depicts Germany’s beautiful winter scenery, sings of the chill of the vast Alps bathed in the dawn glow and of setting out with resolve.
Its warmly colored sound, evocative of a bright winter morning, matches lyrics themed around a crystal-clear youthful heart.
After it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968, it gained popularity in Japan as well.
Its melody gently envelops the cold of winter and offers comfort.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to in winter while taking in the richness of nature.
Merry Little ChristmasHugh Martin / Ralph Blane
An insert song sung by leading actress Judy Garland in the 1944 film “Meet Me in St.
Louis.” Covered by many artists, it’s a Christmas song loved around the world.
The lyrics are a touch bittersweet, but the wish of “May you have a merry little Christmas” warms the cold season with its gentle glow.
Christmas songMel Tormé / Bob Wells
This is a very romantic Christmas song composed by Mel Tormé, the American genius jazz singer known as “The Velvet Fog.” Roasting chestnuts over an open fire, a winter wind that makes your nose tingle… just listening to it makes you think, “Ah, it’s winter.” But in fact, the song was written in the middle of summer.
It apparently started with a “man, it’s hot—let’s think of something cool” vibe and was finished in about 35 minutes.
No wonder he’s called a genius.
Silver BellRay Evans / Jay Livingston
It’s a song featured in the 1951 comedy film “The Lemon Drop Kid.” Sparkling Christmas ornaments, children’s laughter, people hurrying home to their families.
Hearing bells ringing from somewhere, you can feel Christmas drawing near.
In the cold winter air, it’s a beloved classic that warms the hearts of excited people.
TroikaRussian folk song
The unfamiliar word in the title, “Troika,” refers to a Russian three-horse-drawn carriage.
The cheerful jingle of bells and the rhythmic tempo that continue from the start of the piece evoke the Russian winter and the brightness of youth.
While the beautiful melody makes it a pleasant tune, the original Russian folk song is said to be a sad one, telling of a young man who drives horses for a living and has his lover taken away by a wealthy man.
Snow FestivalLyrics and Composition: Minami Ranbo
Snow Festival is a song that portrays children joyfully playing in the snow while yearning for spring.
Created by folk singer Ranbo Minami, it premiered on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1984.
The children have fun playing in the snow and enjoying warm, delicious winter foods, yet they still eagerly await the arrival of spring.
Their innocent feelings come through as they ask a pure-white snow rabbit and the mailman, “When will spring come?” The song also features a striking, almost kayōkyoku-style cool melody that’s well worth noting!
Snow DanceLyrics by Keizo Yui
Yuki no Odori (Snow Dance) is a song that expresses the wish, “Let it snow a lot!” It is said to be based on the Czech folk song Týnom Tánom.
Its unique rhythm and melody are strangely captivating, drawing you in more and more.
Coupled with lyrics that describe falling snow as if it were dancing, the song as a whole gives off a stylish impression.
Why not sing this piece in the hope of seeing lots of the snow that children love so much?