As a homeschooling mother who also teaches French both in person and online, I understand the challenges parents face when trying to make language learning fun, effective, and sustainable at home. The good news? Teaching French doesn’t have to mean drilling flashcards or struggling with worksheets. With the right approach, your children can learn French naturally—through games, laughter, and everyday moments.
Here are 10 fun games to teach kids French at home, designed to work for homeschooling families, whether you’re brand new to French or simply looking for creative ways to bring more language into your daily rhythm.
1. French Color Hop
How to Play: Write French color words (rouge, bleu, vert, jaune, etc.) on paper circles and spread them across the floor. Call out a color in French, and your child must hop onto the correct one.
Why It Works: Movement engages memory. Kids will naturally repeat the colors aloud as they play, cementing the words in both their minds and bodies.
2. Simon Says – French Edition (Jacques a Dit)
How to Play: Play Simon Says but in French: “Jacques a dit touche ta tête!” (touch your head). Switch between French and English to keep kids listening closely.
Why It Works: It combines listening comprehension, movement, and quick thinking—plus kids love the silly mistakes when they move at the wrong time.
3. French Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Give your child a list of French words for objects around the house (livre = book, chaise = chair, pomme = apple). Have them find and bring the items back to you.
Why It Works: Everyday vocabulary becomes meaningful because kids connect the French word to a real-life object they can touch and see.
4. Musical Chairs with French Songs
How to Play: Play a French children’s song (like Frère Jacques). While the music plays, kids walk around chairs. Stop the music and call out a French word they must shout before sitting down.
Why It Works: Music and rhythm make words “stick.” Kids also gain cultural exposure to authentic French songs.
5. French Memory Match
How to Play: Create cards with pictures and their French words (cat = chat, dog = chien). Place them face down. Kids flip two at a time, trying to find matching pairs.
Why It Works: Repetition through a game keeps vocabulary practice fun while reinforcing reading and recognition skills.
6. Cooking in French
How to Play: Choose a simple recipe and use French words for ingredients and steps. For example, “Ajoute le sucre” (add the sugar) or “Mélange le lait” (mix the milk).
Why It Works: Kids learn through their senses—taste, smell, touch—making the vocabulary unforgettable.
7. French Bingo (Loto Français)
How to Play: Create bingo cards with pictures and French words. Call out the words in French, and kids mark the correct square.
Why It Works: Great for reinforcing a set of words (colors, numbers, animals). Kids love the thrill of shouting “Bingo!”
8. Storytelling with Props
How to Play: Gather toys or stuffed animals. Tell a short story in English but insert French words: “The chien (dog) chased the chat (cat).” Encourage your kids to repeat or act out the words.
Why It Works: Storytelling makes language meaningful, and props keep little ones engaged.
9. French Freeze Dance
How to Play: Play French music. When the music stops, call out a French action word (saute = jump, danse = dance, cours = run). Kids must freeze in that pose.
Why It Works: High-energy kids love it, and it’s an easy way to introduce action verbs.
10. Label the House
How to Play: Place sticky notes on household objects with their French names. Throughout the day, challenge your kids to say the French word before using the object.
Why It Works: Visual reminders around the home immerse kids in French without needing a structured lesson.
Recommended Resources to Go Further
As a homeschooling mom, I know how valuable the right resources can be in keeping language learning joyful and consistent. Here are a few I personally recommend:
- Learn French and Go – An excellent resource for parents looking for structured lessons and cultural insights while staying flexible at home.
- My French Word Books on Amazon: Perfect companions for missionary families, homeschoolers, or parents who want to weave French into everyday life.
- Young Missionaries Learn French Words While Traveling: Available here
- Young Missionaries Learn French Words In The Garden: Available here
Final Encouragement
Dear fellow homeschooling mom, remember—you don’t need to be fluent in French to give your kids the gift of language. What matters most is creating an environment of curiosity, joy, and connection. By weaving games into your routine, you’ll help your children build not just vocabulary, but also a lifelong love of learning.
Language learning is not about perfection. It’s about presence, creativity, and consistency. Whether you start with just one game from this list or rotate through all ten, your kids will begin to see French as a natural part of daily life—and that is the foundation of true language learning.