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 (41–50)
Cha-Cha-Cha of the Snowman
When I hear “Cha Cha Cha,” the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Omocha no Cha Cha Cha,’ but this ‘Yukidaruma no Cha Cha Cha’ is just as delightful.
The song even features a daddy snowman and a mommy snowman, so it seems perfect for a short New Year’s performance by children.
Its catchy rhythm makes you want to sing while watching the January snow!
Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman
The hand-play song “Yukidaruma no Cha-Cha-Cha” is very popular with little children.
Cha-cha-cha is a dance rhythm that originated in Cuba, characterized by an accent of “cha-cha-cha” at the end of a phrase.
In this song, after singing each phrase, you clap your hands or use bells or castanets to add a “cha-cha-cha” and play along.
It’s perfect for playing with kids on cold days when you can’t go outside.
All people, gather together (Hymn No. 112)
This hymn is memorable for its refrain, “The Lord has come.” There’s a theory that it was composed by Handel, a Baroque-era musician, but it is said that Lowell Mason, the father of American hymnody, composed it based on Handel’s Messiah.
The expansive opening does feel quite Handel-like.
In Japan, it’s well known as one of the Christmas carols that can be heard everywhere when winter comes.
spool (of thread); winding thread; Itomaki (traditional toy spinning top), depending on context
We wind the string and make all kinds of things with a hand-play game! You’ve probably heard it at least once.
In winter, we sometimes switch to a Christmas version and add exciting items like Santa’s hat and glasses.
By singing the song over and over, the children’s anticipation grows as they wonder, “What will we make next?” Both adults and children, use your imagination to create all sorts of things!
winter song
This song is a children’s tune that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” from December 1971 to January 1972.
Even if the title doesn’t ring a bell, many people might recognize it the moment they hear the music and think, “Oh, this one!” It’s based on a Bulgarian children’s song composed by Hristo Nedyalkov with lyrics by Dimitar Spasov.
The Japanese lyrics were written by Tomoko Nakayama, a translator and children’s literature author.
The onomatopoeic lyrics make it a very fun song, and it seems that part is present in the original as well.
Mr. Penguin’s Mountain Climb
It’s a perfect fingerplay song to enjoy the winter season with children.
Using hands and fingers to act out penguins and polar bears climbing up and sliding down icy hills makes it ideal for parent–child interaction.
Its rhythmic, cheerful melody is sure to capture children’s hearts.
It’s reportedly widely used in early childhood settings as well, so it might be considered a winter classic.
Choreography videos are available on platforms like YouTube, making it easy to enjoy at home, too.
To make the cold season more fun, why not sing and play together as a family?
The wind and the snow are my friends.
This is a classic song that portrays the joys of winter from a child’s perspective.
It has been broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” since December 1961 and has been beloved by many.
Its lively rhythm and catchy onomatopoeia are memorable, vividly conjuring images of children playing with the wind and snow.
Famous cover versions include those by Junko Uchida and the Morinoki Children’s Choir, as well as Yuko Kanzaki.
It’s featured on the albums “Santa to Utaou Christmas” and “Christmas Song☆Best.” This piece makes perfect background music for enjoying the cold season.
How about singing it with the whole family to create winter memories?