Last updated January 12, 2023
Learning French for kids is usually not as difficult as parents or teachers think it will be, because kids often improve dramatically as long as they have access to fun learning materials and an immersion-based environment. Kids don’t have the same fear of making language mistakes that many adults have, and can pick up on the implied grammar concepts much more easily as well. Additionally, they often absorb the French pronunciation better, and develop a more native-sounding accent as a result.
There are many ways to learn to speak French for kids, but here are some of the most effective methods that are still fun for children:
KIDS’ Books for Learning French
Consider kid’s books that come with audio files you can download, so that your child can hear the text being read aloud by a native speaker.
Learn French for Kids Software
Kids’ French learning software has gotten very good at teaching kids in a way that is fun for them and that they enjoy playing. Many teach a very basic beginner level and will cover from 200-800 French vocabulary words by the time the entire course has been completed.
MOBILE KIDS Learning Apps
- Gus on the Go is a game app for young kids for Android, Apple, and Amazon Kindle. It’s bright and colorful and teaches vocabulary (along with the indefinite articles, which is critical for learning the correct gender). They also have an Apple-only kids story app.
- Boukilli is a French storybook app for kids that’s also available on Android and Apple, as well as an online browser game. Parents can also track their child’s progress on the app.
CHILDREN’S Learn French BOARD AND CARD Games
Board games and card games that teach French have the advantage of being entertaining for the whole family or a group of children, and many offer the advantage of being as basic-level or advanced as you want.
Here are some of the most popular French kids board and card games:
Kids’ French TV Shows
Immersion-based learning is also a great way to get kids to learn French. Watching cartoons and movies in French can give them exposure to the language and can be very enjoyable for them.
- Petit Ours Brun: This show follows the experiences of Petit Ours Brun (Little Brown Bear), a bear who explores the world around him. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZeilD1blQM
- Mouk: Mouk is a raccoon who travels the world with his friend Chavapa. They explore different cultures, languages, and environments. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzfGrigxV8g
- T’choupi: Based on a French children’s book series, T’choupi follows the everyday experiences of a young bear that teaches children about vocabulary, numbers, colors, shapes, and more. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShMKj1NKUw
- Les Minijusticiers: Les Minijusticiers follows four superheroes who use their powers to save their city from evil villains. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS07AHw19k8
Learn French Online for Kids Resources
- Happychild.org-French is (very) dated, but it remains one of the most popular resources for French lessons for kids on the internet. It is extremely thorough and covers a wide array of vocabulary words arranged by topic and then sub-topic, and grammar concepts are also divided up and covered in detail as well.
- Quia/French is a resource of over 7,000 games and puzzles designed to teach French. They are user-submitted, and vary widely in topic, difficulty, and quality, but you will find a fun learning experience for almost any area. You can also create your own games to teach yourself or children if you register.
