Holiday Words in Japanese: Christmas & New Year Activities for Kids

Winter holidays bring magic and togetherness—and they’re perfect moments to teach Japanese words that sparkle with festive cheer. From saying メリークリスマス (Merī Kurisumasu, Merry Christmas) under twinkling lights to shouting あけましておめでとう (Akemashite omedetō, Happy New Year!) at midnight, kids pick up vocabulary through celebration and play.

Christmas Vocabulary

Introduce these merry terms with decorations or picture cards:

メリークリスマス (Merī Kurisumasu, Merry Christmas)

クリスマスツリー (Kurisumasu tsurī, Christmas tree)

プレゼント (purezento, present)

サンタクロース (Santa Kurōsu, Santa Claus)

ゆき (yuki, snow)

Encourage children to say each phrase as you hang ornaments, wrap gifts, or build a paper snowflake.

New Year Vocabulary

Japan’s New Year (お正月, Oshōgatsu) is filled with special customs and words:

あけましておめでとう (Akemashite omedetō, Happy New Year)

おせち (osechi, special New Year food)

かがみもち (kagami mochi, rice‐cake decoration)

はつもうで (hatsumōde, first shrine visit)

ねんがじょう (nengajō, New Year’s postcard)

Use these words while crafting paper mochi, writing greeting cards, or pretending to visit a shrine.

Activities & Games

Origami Ornament Workshop

Fold simple paper stars or cranes to decorate your “home tree.” Label each with a card—クリスマスツリー or かがみもち—and have kids say the word before hanging it.

Holiday Karaoke Party

Sing “ジングルベル” (Jinguruberu, Jingle Bells) and “きよしこの夜” (Kiyoshi Kono Yoru, Silent Night) together. Pause after each line and challenge children to shout key words—メリークリスマス!—in unison.

Practice Corner

Set up a “Holiday Word Jar” with written strips of each vocabulary term. Draw one each day and weave it into conversation: “Today we say おせち before snack time!” Earn a sticker for every correct use.

After the festivities, open Dinolingo for a winter-themed review. A single family plan unlocks 50+ languages and 40 000+ activities—festive flashcards, interactive holiday stories, and surprise badges. Age-specific paths (2–5, 6–10, 11–14) reinforce each holiday word, while parents track progress on an ad-free dashboard.

Final Thoughts

Festive crafts, sing-alongs, and daily word prompts turn holiday fun into meaningful Japanese lessons. Pair these joyful activities with Dinolingo’s interactive follow-ups, and your child will greet every メリークリスマス and あけましておめでとう with confidence and delight.

Source

• Tofugu – Christmas in Japan