Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
Do you like winter?
Winter is very cold, but you can enjoy the beautiful silvery world created by pure white snow and feel the special warmth unique to winter—like hot pot dishes and igloos.
There are so many ways to have fun that you can only experience in winter.
Winter also brings lots of fun events, such as Christmas and New Year’s!
Children are probably looking forward to making snowmen, having snowball fights, and enjoying Christmas presents and cake.
In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes, folk songs, traditional children’s songs, and hand-play songs with various winter themes.
There are many songs that can turn a winter that’s just cold into wonderful memories, so be sure to give them a listen!
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Collection of winter children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter finger-play songs too (71–80)
Has the plum blossomed?
In the cold of winter, we can’t help but long for plum blossoms that signal the arrival of warm spring, right? That sense of eager anticipation is captured in “Ume wa Saita ka.” This Edo-period hauta/kouta piece is based on the popular Meiji-era folk song “Shongaebushi.” In fact, it’s not literally about plum blossoms: the plum, along with other flowers and shells mentioned in the lyrics, refers to geisha.
The song weaves in various themes of romance—infidelity, jealousy, and unrequited love.
While the lyrics are a touch mature, the shamisen performance evokes spring festivals of plums and cherries.
That very melody makes you look forward to the coming of spring!
White Road
This song sets Japanese lyrics to the second movement of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in F minor, “Winter.” The lyrics were written by Yoji Umino, and the song was first broadcast in 1975 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” sung by Hi-Fi Set.
A remake sung by Mirei Kitahara was produced in 1983, and that version continued to air for many years.
It’s a piece whose familiar melody is paired with lyrics that leave an impression of gentle nostalgia and sadness.
Powdery snow, konko
With lyrics by Toshiko Iijima and music by Kishio Hirao, this is a Japanese children’s song.
It depicts powdery snow fluttering down with a “konko” sound.
When you think of snow falling “konko,” you might recall the children’s song “Yuki” (Snow), but “Konayuki Konko” has even simpler lyrics aimed at younger children.
In some areas, such as Saitama Prefecture, it is well known as the tune played by kerosene delivery trucks during the winter.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This song is one of the Christmas tunes everyone knows, but first the story was created in 1938, and then, based on that story, the song was composed in 1948.
The composer was Johnny Marks.
The fact that the red-nosed reindeer has a name also makes sense if the story came first.
In Japan, Nobuo Nitta’s Japanese lyrics are well known, but his version doesn’t explicitly mention the reindeer’s name.
There are other Japanese lyric versions as well, so it could be fun to compare them.
Snow falls upon children.Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa / Music by Takeshi Shibuya
Both adults and children can’t help but feel excited when they see snow, right? This song is perfect for a snowy day.
It sings about the many kinds of snow falling on children living in different places.
As you read the lyrics, you might wonder which child you relate to.
What kind of snow is that friend far away experiencing? This song sparks the imagination about each person’s unique experience of snow.
Realizing how differently snow can be felt depending on the place may also inspire curiosity about various locations.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing while gazing at the snow outside from the comfort of your room.
An Apple’s SoliloquyLyrics by Toshiko Takeuchi / Music by Mitsuaki Kōyō
“The Apple’s Soliloquy” tells the story of apples growing on trees, being shipped out, and lining store shelves.
The lyrics were written by children’s poet Toshiko Takeuchi, with music by Koyo Kawamura, who was active in the early Showa period.
Its melody is rooted in traditional Japanese styles, and some listeners may find it nostalgically familiar.
The lyrics, portraying a bright red apple singing, express feelings for the apple orchard where it was born and raised.
Try singing this well-known winter fruit song together with your child.
Tonight is a happy Christmas.
Aramaki Shake’s “Tonight Is a Joyful Christmas” is a hand-play song filled with Christmas items that get kids excited.
It also features fun words related to colors like “red,” “white,” and “brown,” as well as words that describe shapes such as “triangle” and “round.” It can be fun to add your own second and third verses and tweak the parts that describe colors and shapes.
With its relaxed, simple melody, it’s easy for little ones to learn—so give it a try!