As winter settles in, there’s a certain magic to winter that sparks feelings of warmth and connection—whether it's the crisp air, the holiday cheer, or the cozy moments spent inside. At Music For Kiddos, we can’t help but get excited for winter, especially when it brings a fun selection of songs to engage young learners this time of the year.
Winter is a time for gathering, celebrating, and sharing music that reflects the magic of the season. I'm thrilled to share 7 winter-themed songs with you, which have quickly become a favorite among music educators, music therapists and families. Bring the spirit of winter into your preschool and kindergarten music lessons with these songs, available on all music streaming platforms!
The songs in my Winter Songs For Kids album are some of my best winter songs that are available for streaming right now—perfect for classroom playlists, car rides, cozy sing-alongs at home, and to support creativity, emotional expression and connection during your music therapy sessions.
Winter Songs For Kids
1. Jingle All The Way
"Jingle All the Way" is an energetic and interactive holiday song that offers an excellent opportunity to engage children in instrument playing, singing and movement. This catchy tune features a simple, repetitive structure that makes it easy for kids of all ages to learn and participate. Here are some ways you can use Jingle All The Way with the kids you work with:
Feature it in your next school or holiday program 🎤
Grab some jingle bells and have some fun making music! 🎶
Get kids to move along with the song—whether it's dancing in a circle (the stop-and-go is always fun), hopping up and down, or pretending to ride a sleigh! 🛷
2. Skating
by Stephanie Leavell
A movement song and an art activity in one! ⛸️ This paired activity is pure GOLD. The art gives kids a nice sensory break and the medium-energy structured movement brings in the energy for a focused and successful ~7-10 minutes. Trust me on this one!
Find the YouTube video for Skating here and more implementation ideas here!
3. Hot Chocolate
by Stephanie Leavell
This one is always a winner! Pre-k, k, first grade, second…. kids LOVE this song! ☕️
One of the most enjoyable parts of this song is the playful hand motions. Imagine holding a tiny mug of hot chocolate and gently rocking it back and forth, then blowing on it to cool it down. It’s even more fun if you use a miniature food cup and raise the pitch of your "blow" as you go! For an extra twist, you can go all out and use your whole arms to mimic holding a huge cup of cocoa. When it’s time to blow on it, you’ll have to take a deep breath and "cool" your entire giant mug of hot chocolate! It’s a great way to get creative while staying active with the song.
4. Twinkling Lights
by Stephanie Leavell
Sometimes a sensory break turns the whole day around. ❄️
“Twinkling Lights” brings a soothing, sensory-friendly experience for young listeners. This song offers a calm, peaceful space where children can unwind and reconnect with the world around them in a mindful way. With its gentle, a cappella, "Twinkling Lights" uses the imagery of twinkling lights to evoke a sense of wonder, inviting kids to pause, breathe, and appreciate the simple beauty of winter.
For me, winter is a time to slow down, and I wanted to create something that could help children do the same. Whether it’s a quiet moment at home or a break from an activity, this song provides a perfect opportunity to reflect and relax.
An idea I love to use alongside this song is creating a cozy space with a canopy scarf and twinkling lights. You can drape the scarf over a chair or hang it up to create a calming, "light-filled" hideaway where kids can listen to the song. The soft glow of the lights paired with the music offers a gentle sensory experience that helps children reset and focus, perfect for a mindful break during the winter months.
5. Nice Warm Blanket
by Stephanie Leavell
As the winter chill sets in, I wanted to create something that brings a sense of warmth and comfort, which is exactly what "Nice Warm Blanket" is all about. This song was inspired by the cozy, calming feeling of wrapping up in your favorite blanket, safe and snug. Its soft, gentle melody encourages children to pause, relax, and embrace the warmth around them — both physically and emotionally.
Winter can be a time when kids need a little extra comfort, and "Nice Warm Blanket" offers just that. It’s the perfect soundtrack for moments when children are winding down after a busy day or need a peaceful sensory break. The imagery of a blanket wraps kids in a feeling of security, making it a great tool for mindfulness and relaxation.
One idea I love to pair with this song is setting up a "cozy corner" with a soft blanket, pillows, and a few plush toys. You can play the song while kids snuggle up, gently rocking or swaying along to the music. This creates a sensory-friendly space where children can enjoy the warmth of a physical blanket while soaking in the calming atmosphere of the song, making it ideal for winding down, settling in, or even during a quiet time in the classroom.
6. Sweater
by Stephanie Leavell
"Sweater" was inspired by the universal experience of putting on a cozy sweater—only to have it quickly turn from comfortable to frustrating. Whether it's the dreaded itchy wool or the uncomfortable wetness, this song takes kids through the humorous journey of how something that starts out as warm and cozy can go terribly wrong in the most relatable ways.
When I wrote "Sweater", I wanted it to be a song that would make kids giggle while also giving them a chance to express themselves. It’s playful, simple, and full of catchy phrases like “the itchiest ever sweater” and “the wettest ever sweater”—perfect for kids to sing along, relate to and have fun.
Check out this blog post for ideas on implementing this song in your classes or sessions!
7. It’s Snowing Outside
by Stephanie Leavell
"It's Snowing Outside" is a scarf and movement song designed to be an interactive experience that brings the magic of snow and winter play to life. The song's simple, repetitive lyrics (“It’s snowing outside and I don’t know what to do”) invite kids to get creative, experimenting with different ways to move their bodies as the weather changes. Whether they’re marching, dancing, jumping, skiing, or wiggling, this song allows children to engage both their imagination and their physical energy.
This song is a fantastic way to introduce movement-based activities that support motor skills and coordination. The song’s structure—repeating the same melody and chords with different movement prompts like "dance," "jump," "ski," and "wiggle"—makes it easy for young children to follow along and participate. You can encourage kids to make up their own movements or even incorporate scarves or other props to represent snow or the cold wind blowing outside.
If you’re like us, you love having a winter playlist ready to go for those classroom moments when you just want to bring some winter cheer into the room. Whether you’re looking for calm tunes to help kids wind down or fun songs to get them moving, I think that the songs in my Winter Songs For Kids album are the perfect addition. Check it out below or search for “Stephanie Leavell” on all music streaming platforms.
