Playing games to help with your child's French Learning:
Learning a new language or even practicing one you haven’t mastered yet can be a tough and frustrating experience for many children. Learning in general is not seen as an ideal activity for kids, so it’s the teacher or camp counselor or parent’s job to find ways to make their learning journey more palatable for them through engaging activities.
French games for kids are a great way for kids to learn anywhere, but especially as tools for parents looking to help their children practice French at home. Playing games with the kids that help them boost their knowledge of the French language without them even knowing it is the best way to help with their language education.
If children enjoy the game, they’re more likely to come back to it again and again, and every time they play, they’re working on their French. Fun French activities for kids are ideal because when a child is enjoying an activity that’s actually teaching them something, they’re more likely to remember the lesson at hand and continue building on it.
To that end, we’ve put together our top 10 list of the best French games and activities for kids that they’ll not only have a blast playing, but that will also serve as impromptu French lessons for them as well.
The 10 BEST French games for Kids
1. Miles Bornes - For All Ages
A very popular card game in French communities in Quebec and France, Milles Bornes sees players competing to reach 100km the fastest. It’s a racing-centric game where different cards help players to push towards the 100km goal while also having to deal with bumps in the road that other players will put down for you such as red lights, speed limits, and other traps.
Children will practice their French numbers as they drive through the game, and they’ll also work on and likely grow their car, road, and driving-related vocabularies as well.
2. Twister - All Ages
A longtime classic for any event, party, or simple play date. Most children will likely already be familiar with this game, which makes it easier for parents that are looking to practice French at home with their kids.
One at a time, players will be told where to put a hand or foot on the game’s colored circles, and participants will have to try to maintain their balance. Last one standing wins! This game not only helps kids with spatial awareness, it also helps them to work on that pesky right or left dilemma as well. Children will be able to practice their French colors and body parts while laughing and having a great time!
3.Uno - All Ages
A very popular card game among children, Uno is like the fun kids version of the classic card game Crazy 8s. The cards are more colorful, and there are many wild cards that can force the player next to you to pick up extra cards or skip their turn.
Players try to get rid of all of their cards the fastest by playing cards whose color or number match what’s on top of the pile. But don’t forget to say Uno! when you get to your last card! Children will practice their French color and number vocabulary, have fun French conversations as they look to make alliances around the circle, and learn game-specific phrases on the way as well.
4. Mots Rapido - 8 and older
Another great game for practicing French vocabulary, Mots Rapido, also known as Speedy Words in English, will keep your kids entertained as they learn. A card will be turned which has a color and a category on one side, and three letters on the other side, each of which corresponds to a color.
Once both sides of the card are seen by the player, whoever comes up with a word that corresponds to the proper color and letter combination on the card will win that turn. At the end of the game, the player with the most cards wins! This is a great game for kids to not only learn new words but to make strong associations between words as well. It also helps kids to be able to think quickly in French!
5. Hedbanz - 7 and older
This is a youthful play on a classic party game where players get a headband and a card with a word to place on their forehead. The players can’t see their own card so they have to ask yes or no questions to the other players to figure out what their word is. Not only does this help kids build their French vocabulary on topics that range widely from clothes, to food, to jobs without even realizing it, but it also helps them with their critical thinking and ability to formulate smart questions in French.
6. Le Pendu - All Ages
The French version of the well-known game that English speakers call ‘Hangman,’ this is another great French activity for kids to help them work on their vocabulary. One player comes up with a word and writes how many letters it is, and the other player has to guess letters to help them figure out what that word is before the first player draws all the body parts of ‘Le Pendu.’ Each player has to think of French words by themselves while practicing the French alphabet as well. The best part is, all you need is a pen and a paper!
7. Qui Suis-Je? - All Ages
This game, similar to classic road trip game ‘20 questions’, sees a player think of a person while their opponent is tasked with asking questions that can help them figure out who the first player is thinking of. Like Hedbanz, this game helps children learn how to properly construct a question in French and also helps build their vocabulary concerning subjects such as character and physical appearance.
8. Pique Mots - 7 and older
This game sees players competing to make links between the target card and the word cards spread out on the playing surface. The goal is to use your suction cup to scoop up as many word cards that are related to the target card as possible. If another player makes a questionable connection, squeak your suction cup to challenge them.
Not only does this help with vocabulary and connections between words, but it also teaches them how to build an argument for their link in French. It’s also a great way to work on conflict resolution in a low pressure and fun environment.
9. Clac Mots - 8 and older
Also known as Slam Dice for English speakers, Clac Mots is a great game for any setting from practicing French at home to entertaining the kids on a long drive. The game comes with a covered cup with three dice inside that have letters on each side. A player will push and “CLAC” the cup to roll the dice and have to come up with a word that includes all three letters showing, then pass it to the next player.
If a player can’t come up with a word, they’re out, and it’s last person standing wins! This game is not only fun for kids but for adults as well, as it helps you to think fast on your French feet. Kids can practice the French words they already know and learn new words when they play with more experienced French speakers.
10. Trouv’ Tout - 4 and older
This French game for kids is easy to learn and fun to play! A card will be turned that has a fun illustration with an indication of a shape or color to find. The first player to identify the corresponding color or shape in the illustration wins the card, and at the end of the game, the player with the most cards wins! This is an awesome game for working on simple French vocabulary for colors and shapes while also honing your child’s observation skills as well!
Conclusion
French learning can be fun, and incorporating games into your child’s language learning journey can make a huge impact not only on their skills, but also on their view of the language.
Will you be trying out any of the games mentioned in our best game list? Let us know your experience in the comments below. If you have any suggestions on other great games for French learning be sure to leave them below as well!
