Don’t you hate when you read a recommendation for a show but it’s on a streaming service you don’t have? I know I do!
So, I want to make it easy for you and your little bilingual learner. In the next few months, I will give recommendations on kids’ shows in French that are available on different streaming platforms. Whether you have Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, I got you covered.
For this month, let’s talk about some of the Netflix kids shows we like in my household, that are available in French.
The screen time debate
Let’s get it out of the way first. Yes, we should limit screen time as much as possible.
I had high standards before having my daughter. But when you have to juggle ten thousand things, something got to give. Sometimes parking your kid in front of the tablet for half an hour just gives you that breather you needed to tackle a task, start cooking the meal or finish working on a project. Don’t judge me.
Ideally, you want to be watching it with your preschooler, to try to engage them, and ask questions about what’s happening on the screen. You want to make sure you keep an eye on the content they are exposed to.
You don’t want your kids to be sitting in front of a screen for hours — although I’m not judging. I’ve been there, done that. But if they are going to watch kids’ shows, they might as well learn a thing or two, for example, a second language.
So now, back to our main topic. What Netflix kids’ shows are available in French?
A simple funny French Netflix kids’ show: Trotro
Synopsis: Trotro is a little donkey, who always finds hilarious ways to get into trouble
This Nextflix kids show comes in short episodes of about 3 minutes each. They’re available in compilations of 21 minutes.
What I like: The simple design. I don’t feel like my daughter is overstimulated when she watches that children’s show. The drawings are very simple. Stories are funny. It covers everyday topics like why naps are awesome, how to treat your friends right, sharing, and helping at home.
It covers these topics at a level that your preschooler will understand. Because the episodes are so short, it’s easy to stop them without too much resistance from my girl.
And again it’s super funny.
A Netflix kids’ show in French to help with numbers: Number blocks
Synopsis: This children’s show in French introduces your preschooler to numbers and calculations in a fun way. The characters are numbers. Each episode introduces a new number, and they all get to know each other.
It’s a great way to help your little one learn their numbers in French.
What I like: The catchy songs. They’re almost Broadway-style. This Netflix kids’ show really helps preschoolers visualize the different operations — addition, subtraction….
The first episodes are more appropriate for preschoolers — up to number ten. As they advance in numbers, the show is more geared for kindergartners or elementary school-age kids.
Lullabies revisited in this kids’ show: Looloo kids
Synopsis: This Netflix kids show revisits classic songs — like the Wheels on the Bus or Old MacDonald, etc — with a pop twist.
I’m not crazy about the characters’ drawings, but it doesn’t seem to bother my little one — very easy audience!
Each compilation goes through several songs and lasts about 17 minutes. It’s also available on YouTube.
What I like: the catchy songs. This kids’ show will have your little one jamming on catchy songs in French.
A classic bedtime story made in a kids’ show: Llama Llama
Synopsis: This Netflix children’s show is based on the beloved classic book from author Anna Dewdney. We have a few Llama Llama books at home, and we love them and how each story has a rhythm when read out loud.
The kid’s show version is not the same. But, it still follows Llama Llama and all his friends. It explores the usual kid’s show themes: school, friendship, grandparents, and parents.
Each episode lasts 26 minutes, contains 2 mini-episode of 13 minutes.
What I like: I like the simple stories and simple design of the show (you see the common thread here). The show exposes my girl to more advanced conversation skills in French. It explores themes from the books with a new twist.
The Netflix original series: Hello Ninja
Synopsis: This Netflix kids’ show follows two best friends — Pretzel and Wesley — and their cat. When they face a challenge, like a cat being stuck in a tree or a ball getting lost — they transform into Ninja kid “warriors” and help save the day.
Along the way, they learn life lessons from Wesley’s grandma, Baa-Chan, who seems to be the coolest Grandma.
Each episode lasts about 13 minutes.
What I like: It’s a fun and different kids’ show that will help your kids learn animal names.
That’s it for today! Let me know if these shows are also popular in your households. Or what other shows in French (or in your language) do your kids love to watch? Send me an email at backtotheotherland@gmail.com or send me a DM on IG to tell me!
Next month, I’ll cover kids’ shows available in French on Amazon Prime.
FAQ
- Are these Netflix kids’ shows available in English? These are also available in English.
- Which of these shows have diverse characters? None.
- What are some other Netflix kids’ shows with black characters that can be watched in French? Ada Twist scientists, Motown magic, Karma’s world, Gabby’s dollhouse. I haven’t personally watched these. They don’t seem to interest my preschooler yet. If your kid loves any of these shows, please let me know by email or send me a DM on IG.
