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.
- [Snow Songs for Winter] Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes and Hand-Play Songs
- [Childcare] Recommended songs and nursery rhymes for November: Fun autumn fingerplay songs
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- 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
- Recommended children's songs and hand play songs for October! Music time in childcare that feels like autumn.
- 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)
O Holy NightLyrics by J. Dwight / Music by C. Adams
Originally composed in the 19th century as a French Christmas carol, it became widely known through John Sullivan Dwight’s English translation.
Today, it is an indispensable classic among Christmas songs.
In Japan, it appears in the second hymnal under the title “Sayaka ni Hoshi wa Kirameki.” It is a beautiful piece that evokes a serene, gently quiet European Christmas.
Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for December: Fun winter hand play songs (51–60)
Christmas is comingLyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa / Music by Hirotaka Nakagawa
Christmas Is Coming paints the tingling excitement of December, just before Christmas.
The lyrics are by Toshihiko Shinzawa, a prolific songwriter, and the music is by Hirotaka Nakagawa.
The song captures the thrill of Christmas in everything—the cityscapes glowing with illuminations, the decorations in homes and shops, and the joyful expressions on people’s faces.
It’s especially recommended for anyone who wants to build up their holiday spirit as Christmas approaches!
skiingLyrics: Otowa Shigure / Music: Kōzaburo Hirai
The song “Ski,” a children’s song depicting the graceful descent down snowy mountains on skis, was written by lyricist Otowa Shigure, who penned numerous songs, and released in 1942.
The image of slicing through the wind like a bird and skiing with style will likely stir a desire to try it—not only among skiers but even in those who have never skied before.
Its brisk rhythm and melody further kindle that motivation! It’s a piece that powerfully conveys exactly what skiing is all about.
White RoadLyrics by Yoji Umino / Music by Vivaldi
“Shiroi Michi” (“The White Road”) depicts a nostalgic scene of remembering a pure white road blanketed with snow, walked hand in hand with one’s mother.
Set to the melody of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in F minor, “Winter,” Second Movement, it features newly written Japanese lyrics.
The protagonist now walks alone, recalling not only winter but also scenes from spring and autumn.
It’s a song that gives you the courage to do your best—just like the mother who always faced forward and kept walking no matter the circumstances.
As you listen, try to recall your own memories of snow and family.
Powdery snow, konkoLyrics by Toshiko Iijima / Music by Kishiou Hirao
Konayuki Konko, which welcomes the transparent, dancing powder snow, is a children’s song with lyrics by Toshiko Iijima and a vividly crafted melody composed by Kishio Hirao.
With simple, easy-to-remember lyrics, the song portrays a winter landscape from a child’s perspective.
The word “konko,” meaning “come, come,” is repeated throughout, evoking the image of eagerly awaiting snowfall.
Its beautiful melody, which seems to express the delicate scattering of powdery snow, also conjures up wintry scenes.
Where is Santa Claus from?Lyrics by Hiroo Takada / Music by Shunsuke Kikuchi
Who is Santa, the person who comes to our homes with presents, and where does he come from? It’s probably something everyone wondered about as a child.
The Christmas song “Where Is Santa Claus From?” expands on that innocent question with all kinds of imaginings.
Released in 1971, the song was used as the ending theme for the anime Doraemon.
It’s sung by Nobuyo Oyama, the voice actress who played Doraemon at the time.
When you listen to the song, it really fuels children’s imaginations about Santa!
at the end of the wastelandHymn No. 106
In December, the Christmas season, I also recommend traditional pieces like this one.
This is one of the Christmas carols, a song beloved at Christmas Mass in churches in Japan.
Its hallmark is the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” section, where everyone joins their voices to sing the same melody.
It’s in Latin! It means “Glory to God in the highest.” It’s a piece worth listening to carefully.