Top 10 Cartoons to Learn French

A wonderful way to engage children as they begin learning a new language is to have them watch cartoons in that language. This creates a fun, immersive environment where they can absorb the language naturally without feeling pressured. Cartoons are also an excellent way to explore the culture of the language they're learning.

This approach has proven highly effective in teaching children pronunciation and sentence structure. Here are ten cartoon recommendations to help you get started!

1. T’choupi et DouDou ​

T'choupi is a French cartoon adapted from a popular book series, perfect for young children. The show follows T'choupi, a penguin boy, through short episodes featuring adventures with his friends, family, and his beloved teddy bear, DouDou. 

The show features clear pronunciation and basic vocabulary that's perfect for young learners. T'choupi is available on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.

​2. Petit Ours Brun

Petit Ours Brun is a beloved French classic featuring short episodes that are perfect for young children. The show follows a young bear and his family through their daily lives in the countryside. It offers both an engaging glimpse into French culture and an excellent way for kids to learn basic, everyday vocabulary. Petit Ours Brun is available on Roku and YouTube.

3. Les Schtroumpfs

If your young learner likes the English adaptation of this cartoon (The Smurfs) then this may be a valuable tool to teach them French through a familiar show. If you do not know this show, it is about a fictional group of blue creatures living in the forest. It is also very popular among French families, so it offers immersion in both French culture and language. Les Schtroumpfs is available on Roku, TV5MONDEplus, Amazon UK, Netflix, and YouTube.

4. Barbapapa

Barbapapa is a great family show that, while older, remains relevant today. The show features the lives of a family of blobs as they go through a variety of (often comical) situations while learning morals along the way. 

Barbapapa can help with practicing language as well as getting used to French accents. Watch this show on Paramount Plus, Amazon, Apple TV, Max, and YouTube.

5. Asterix

​This beloved French cartoon can appeal to both children and adults, which makes it a great show to watch as a family. This show follows a Galic warrior who uses a magical strengthening potion to protect his village and go on adventures. This cartoon is a peek into French culture that contains useful vocabulary and fun turns of phrase. It is available on Netflix and YouTube.

6. Les Aventures de Tintin

This iconic French cartoon is adapted from a book collection with the same name. The episodes follow a reporter named Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy through a variety of fun adventures. This cartoon includes basic language but also French humor that will keep children engaged in every episode. Tintin can be found on Prime Video and YouTube.

7. Il était une fois ​

Il était une fois is an older cartoon, but still very engaging for curious young learners. The episodes focus on a scientist named Maestro as he teaches about a variety of educational topics like the body, the environment, space, and history. This provides children with a fun opportunity to learn more varied French vocabulary and even just more about the world around them. This show is available on Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube.

8. TroTro

TroTro is a sweet cartoon for younger children. Episodes follow a young donkey named TroTro and his family as he learns lessons in a light, funny atmosphere. The show, while charming, is simplistic, so it can be very helpful for basic dialogue and everyday situations.  Find this show on Apple TV, Sling TV, and YouTube.

9. Oui Oui ​

Oui-Oui is the French equivalent of the English cartoon, “Noddy.”  It features a toy clown living in a toy store who goes around solving mysteries with his friends. The main character himself is often confused in this cartoon, so it can help kids get more clarity about the actual language than other shows might offer. Oui-Oui is available on YouTube.

10. Didou

Didou is a perfect French series for creative learners. The show is about a rabbit boy who loves to draw and uses his drawings to solve different problems he and his friends face. The show is engaging with basic language, but it can also be a fun way for young learners to visualize the vocabulary and even draw it themselves. Watch Didou on YouTube.

Conclusion

While cartoons can be an amazing language resource, it’s important to remember that any language learning can be hard and even frustrating at times. Be ready to accept challenges as you start this process, and start with cartoons that match your language level. 

Many of the cartoons above are classic French cartoons, but it may also be helpful to search for French adaptations of cartoons that children already watch in English so they will be familiar with the storylines and characters. 

The Music & Language Learning Center is committed to teaching language and culture in an engaging, practical way. If you're interested in beginner French practice, exploring French courses online, or enrolling in online French classes for kids, we invite you to schedule a free consultation!

Kristine Dizon, PhD

Founder and Head Teacher
Music & Language Learning Center