TV programs, websites, and Apps 

  • TV5 Monde: TV5 monde is the leading Francophone television channel. It is available in the U.S. via Time Warner Cable or Verizon Fios. Information about programs and how to get TV5 monde can be found online at www.TV5monde.com.

    On its website there are kids’ activities (games, videos, quizz, french vocabulary…) : http://www.tv5monde.com/TV5Site/tivi5/

  • www.mondedestitounis.fr: French songs for kids, stories in video… (for young kids).

  • www.iletaitunehistoire.com: stories, tales, classical songs in French; you can listen to and read the story.

  • www.thefablecottage.com/french: Go to this website to hear someone read a handful of children’s classics in French. The enunciation is sloooow, but the vocabulary is still advanced.

  • DUOLINGO : for older kids - user-friendly app that feels like a game

  • www.brainpop.fr: for primary school - an app you can download on your phone or tablet, for advanced French learners. Different subjects in French (Art, music, Science, math, French…). Films, quizzes and more 

       ***The American Association of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 2 years of age, and only 30 minutes/day max for 2-5 year olds. The apps are good for long car rides or infrequent use. :)

Educational videos

  • Lumni, online education platform created by the France Télévision, in partnership with the French Education Ministry, French National Radio networks, educational nonprofits and the French National Audiovisual Institute. Offerings are focused on education, from short educational entertainments videos for preschoolers to supplemental classroom lessons for students up to 12th grade. Lumni programs listed below:

    • Notre histoire, animated show following five children as they revisit history from cavemen to present day. Each video is under four minutes.

    • 1 jour, 1 question, animated show answering one question a day, in a fun, witty, and informational format, and in under two minutes. Also available on YouTube. Children can submit their questions here.

    • Le Professeur Gamberge, animated show where Professor Gamberge answers questions on a broad range of subjects, in under three minutes.

    • Les Essentiels de Jamy, science, technology, and history videos presented by “C’est pas sorcier!” veteran Jamy Gourmaud in an informational and playful format, under three minutes.

    • Monstres disparus, a show using 3D animation to teach children about now extinct animals.

    • Découvre avec Sid, le petit scientifique, an animated show teaching children about science while encouraging curiosity, in under four minutes.

    • Dis-moi Dimitri, an animated series following Dimitri, a little bird from Europe who suddenly ends up in Africa. Each episode is under three minutes.

    • 3 minutes pour coder, brought to you by tech specialist, YouTuber Micode, consists of three-minute coding lessons for Kindergarteners and middle-schoolers.

  • C’est pas sorcier! Cult-classic French science show for children, each episode is just under half an hour.

  • Il était une fois la vie, educational entertainment show about the human body, also a French classic. Episodes are just under half an hour.

  • C’est bon !, YouTube educational channel voiced by beloved French chef Jean-Pierre Coffe about food.

  • Tu mourras moins bête, YouTube educational channel in partnership with Franco-German culture TV channel ARTE. Professeur Moustache answers science questions with a sense of humor, and in under four minutes, for ages eight and up.

  • Mon oeil, YouTube educational channel in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, exploring art and creativity in under twenty minutes.

  • L’école de l’océan, online learning platform created by Dalhousie University, the Ocean Frontier Institute, and the Canadian National Film Office, bringing five-minute educational videos and longer interactive activities exploring the marine life of the gulf of the Saint-Laurent river.

  • Quelle Histoire, YouTube educational channel by international French news network TV5 Monde, offering portraits of prominent historical figures such as writers, artists, scientist, and advocates of peace, in under ten minutes.

  • ARTE journal junior, daily morning news bulletin for children, including portraits of children worldwide, information about different jobs, and drawing techniques. Each episode is under twenty minutes.

  • Père Castor, the animated version of Flammarion’s popular children’s books, where Père Castor tells stories old and new, each episode is under five minutes.

Film pour enfants, a non-profit promoting new and diverse short films for children, is offering a free film festival. Each film comes with activities designed in partnership with the French Education Ministry.