So, you want to get the kids speaking French, huh? Maybe you’re dreaming of them ordering croissants like a local on your next vacation, or perhaps you just want to give them a head start. Either way, you’ve landed in the right spot.
Let’s be real for a second. Getting kids excited about something that isn’t a screen or a sugary snack can feel like herding cats. I’ve been there. My own attempt to teach my niece the word for “bonjour” turned into a ten-minute debate about why cows don’t wear pants. Classic.
But I’ve learned that the secret isn’t in flashcards and grammar drills. It’s in making it fun. So sneaky, they won’t even realize they’re learning. I’ve rounded up 10 French activities for kids that are pure language fun. No beret required.
1. “Jacques a dit…” (The French Simon Says)
This game is a powerhouse for learning body parts and action verbs. The rules are the same as the English version, but you play it in French.
You’re “Jacques,” and you give commands. The kids only follow the command if you say “Jacques a dit” first. If you just say “Saute!” (Jump!) and they jump, they’re out.
- Why it works: It forces them to listen carefully to the keywords.
- My Tip: Start slow. Use commands like “Levez la main” (Raise your hand), “Touchez le nez” (Touch your nose), or “Tournez” (Turn around). The laughter when someone jumps the gun is the best part.
2. Chanson en Sucettes (Song with Lollipops)
Music is a universal language, right? French kids’ songs are catchy and repetitive, which is exactly what little brains need to absorb new sounds.
Songs like “Frère Jacques” (which is actually about a monk who needs to wake up to ring the bells—rude), “Alouette” (a surprisingly violent song about plucking a lark), and “Une Souris Verte” are fantastic.
- How to do it: Play the song once just for fun. Then, hand out a printout of the lyrics with pictures. FYI, using a lollipop as a conducting baton makes this activity infinitely more engaging. It’s amazing how focused a kid gets when there’s sugar on the line. 🙂
3. Le Jeu de l’Oie (The Game of the Goose)
This is a classic French board game, but you can adapt any simple board game you already have at home. The concept is simple: to move forward on your turn, you have to answer a question or perform a task in French.
- For Beginners: Name a colour, count to five in French, or say “bonjour.”
- For Intermediates: “What is your name?” or “How old are you?”
You can use a simple die and some tokens. I promise, the competitive spirit will have them scrambling to remember their vocabulary just so they can beat you to the finish line.
4. Le Memory des Couleurs (Color Memory Game)
Take a standard set of index cards. On one card, glue a piece of coloured paper or draw a coloured blob. On another card, write the French word for that colour.
Lay all the cards face down. The goal is to flip over two cards at a time, trying to match the colour card with the correct word card.
- Pro-Tip: Start with just 3-4 colour pairs. As they get better, add more colours or even themed sets like animals or fruit.
- Why I love it: It’s quiet, it’s tactile, and it builds a direct visual link to the word. It’s basically brain training disguised as play.
5. La Chasse au Trésor (The Treasure Hunt)
Hide a small “treasure” (a chocolate coin, a sticker, a fancy rock) somewhere in the house or garden. Then, create a series of simple French clues that lead them to it.
Clue number one might be: “Allez vers la porte rouge.” (Go towards the red door). Behind the red door, they find the next clue: “Regarde sous la table verte.” (Look under the green table).
Ever wondered why this works so well? It’s high-stakes. They are so focused on finding the treasure that deciphering the French becomes a secondary, painless task.
6. Pâte à Modeler (Play-Doh Creations)
Get out the Play-Doh. This is a calm, creative activity that’s perfect for vocabulary building. Call out a word in French, and the kids have to sculpt it.
You can start with easy things: “Une pomme” (an apple), “Un serpent” (a snake), “Un soleil” (a sun). The results will be… abstract. My nephew’s “escargot” (snail) looked more like a lumpy potato with eyes, but he was so proud and kept repeating the word. That’s a win.
7. Regarde, Écoute, et Danse! (Watch, Listen, and Dance!)
We live in a golden age of content. There are some brilliant French YouTube channels for kids that are engaging and educational. Channels like “Comptines et Chansons” or “Les Patapons” use animation and music to teach.
Set aside 15-20 minutes for a “French Screen Time” session. The key is to watch with them. Sing along, do the actions, and talk about what you saw afterwards. It turns passive watching into an interactive experience.
8. L’Histoire du Soir (The Bedtime Story)
This is my favorite, probably because it involves sitting on a comfy couch. Reading a French picture book at bedtime is a beautiful way to end the day. You don’t even need to be fluent.
Pick books with simple sentences and bright pictures. As you read, point to the pictures. “Regarde le chien! Il est noir.” (Look at the dog! He is black).
- My Go-To Books:
- Any of the “Petit Ours Brun” (Little Brown Bear) series. They depict everyday toddler life.
- “T’choupi” books are similarly fantastic.
The repetition and the soothing rhythm of a story are perfect for language acquisition. IMO, this is one of the most effective and bonding activities you can do.
9. La Cuisine est Française (French Cooking)
Time to get messy! Kids love cooking, and it’s a natural vocabulary lesson. Choose a simple French recipe. You don’t have to make a coq au vin; even making a basic pain au chocolat with pre-made puff pastry and chocolate bars works!
As you cook, name the ingredients and actions in French.
- “Ajoute le beurre.” (Add the butter.)
- “Mélange la farine.” (Mix the flour.)
- “C’est délicieux!” (It’s delicious!)
You get to eat the results. Literally no downside here.
10. L’Heure du Thé (Tea Time)
This is less about vocabulary drills and more about creating a vibe. Once a week, declare “L’Heure du Thé.” You don’t actually have to serve tea—chocolate milk or apple juice works fine. But you bring out the fancy cups, maybe some biscuits, and for 15 minutes, you try to only speak French.
It can be silly. It can be broken. You might just end up pointing at things and saying their names. But that’s the point. It creates a safe, fun space to try, to fail, and to laugh. You can say things like, “S’il te plaît, passe-moi un biscuit” (Please pass me a biscuit). It’s low-pressure and high-reward.
Ready, Set, Parlez!
So there you have it. Ten ways to sneak some French fun into your daily routine without feeling like you’re giving a lecture. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to just go with the flow. If your carefully planned color game turns into a pillow fight, embrace it. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s exposure and positive association.
Pick one or two activities that sound fun to you. Your enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re having fun, they will too. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go explain to my niece why we don’t actually eat escargot from the garden. Wish me luck. :/
