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 hand-play songs too (31–40)
fir tree
Beloved as a classic that colors the winter season, this piece is a German-born Christmas carol cherished around the world.
It originally began as a folk song on the theme of romance, but was adapted into its current form in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz.
Through the image of the lush evergreen fir tree, the work expresses sincerity, hope, and an unchanging beauty.
In Japan, it has been covered by many artists and has become an essential song for the Christmas season.
It was also featured on NHK’s “Meikyoku Album,” with a broadcast performance by the Tokyo Junior Chorus and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
With a warm atmosphere that seems to make one forget the winter cold, this song is sure to make Christmas time with family and friends all the more special.
Snow DanceComposer: Traditional
Originally titled “Tynom Tanom,” this is a Czech folk song to which Japanese lyricist Keizo Yui added Japanese lyrics.
It’s also fun to compare it with the original, which rhythmically repeats the words “Tynon Tanon.” The song likens falling snow to a dance and delights in that image.
It has also appeared in music textbooks.
Snow KobōzuComposer: Unknown
This is a Japanese children’s song sung to the same melody as “The Spool Song.” The melody uses a traditional tune that is loved around the world, and when lyrics are set to this melody overseas, it is often sung as a song about spools or spinning thread.
In contrast, it seems that only Japan has set lyrics about snow to this melody.
shepherds and sheep
Although it is a Christmas carol sung in the winter season, it is also a well-loved children’s song in Japan.
It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and depicts angels announcing the Savior’s birth to shepherds.
Originating from a folk melody passed down in England’s western regions since before the 17th century, it became widely known after William Sandys published it in 1833.
Its gentle and solemn tone perfectly suits the Christmas atmosphere.
The Japanese translation is by Shuichi Tsugawa, and it is included as hymn number 103 in the 1954 edition of “Sanbika.” As a traditional hymn sung in churches and homes during the Christmas season, it is cherished by many, so please try singing it with your family.
Merry Christmas
Originating as an English folk song from the West Country in the 16th century, “We (I) Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a song that celebrates the arrival of Christmas and the New Year.
In Japan, it is sung 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.
Collection of winter children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter finger-play songs too (41–50)
little foxLyrics by Katsu Tsuneo / Music by a foreign composer
This song is themed around a winter mountain where a little fox lives.
The lyrics describe how the little fox spends its days in the cold, snowy mountains.
The song was originally written as a German children’s song.
It became popular in Japan after the poet Katsuo Masao added Japanese lyrics.
Unlike the Japanese version, the original German lyrics are actually a bit scary.
In Japan, however, a pop-style melody was paired with cute lyrics.
On YouTube and other platforms, you can find videos of people dancing as if they were little foxes along with the song, so it’s also recommended to sing and dance to it as a way to warm up your body in the cold!
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)
This song is charming for its friendly melody and playful lyrics that use the image of manju buns.
Born from the wisdom of keeping warm, it has been passed down across generations as a game that shares warmth and smiles.
Beyond its value as a play song, it is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, even appearing in haiku as a winter season word.
On a cold winter day, if you sing it while actually doing oshikura manju—huddling and gently pushing each other—children will surely feel not only the warmth of skin, but also the joy of time spent with friends and family.