Winter Break is fast approaching, and kids everywhere are eagerly anticipating the joys of family time, playing in the snow, and most of all… sleeping in!
Just because school’s out for a few weeks doesn’t mean that your children have to stop improving their French and learning skills. In fact, the winter break is a perfect time to show them how easy and fun it can be to continue practicing their French skills even outside of school.
Of course, the key to effectively learning a language is to bring it outside of the classroom and into other aspects of everyday life.
That’s why we at Camp Tournesol have compiled a list of the top 10 best holiday activities for your child in French.
#1: French Holiday Karaoke
Without a doubt, singing holiday music is one of the best parts of the season. Why not sing along in French?
Here is a great playlist of YouTube videos of Christmas carols and other holiday music, all complete with French lyrics so that you child can sing along!
25 Mins of French Christmas Songs for Kids (With Lyrics)
30 Mins of Christmas Carols in French (With Lyrics)
Video Playlist of Winter Songs in French
#2: French Holiday/Winter Books
Imagine snuggling with your child under some cozy blankets with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. Sounds perfect, right? This winter break, take advantage of all the opportunities that the rough Canadian Winter weather gives us to stay inside and read. It’s a perfect chance to practice reading in French with your child! Our expert librarian compiled a list just for our parents:
For children in grade 1:
Winter themed:
- La neige magique – Deirdre Gill
Christmas themed:
- Joyeux Noël, Ollie – Oliver Dunrea
For children in grades 2 and 3
Winter themed:
- Lucy fait du patinage de vitesse – Lisa Bowes
- Le dragon des neiges – Andrew Breakspeare
Christmas themed:
- Un Noël Hanoukka – Sharon Jennings (a beautiful story of children learning each other’s traditions)
- Tous les Noël du monde – Audrey Guiller
- Une grande joie – Kate DiCamillo
- Quel est le secret du Pere Noel – Marla Frazee
- Pas de Rennes pour Noël – Lisa Trumbauer
- Pas de jouets pour Noel – Kim Norman
- La nuit de Noël – Barbara Reid
- Le Noël du Hérisson – M. Christina Butler
- Howard B. Labougeotte apprend à partager – Howard Binkow
- Boreal Express – Chris Van Allsburg
- Le Noel de Grincheux – Paul Bright /Jane Chapman
Where to get these books?
- Go to your local library, purchase them on Amazon or at Indigo/Chapters, or head to “The Librarie Mosaique” (a francophone bookstore in the GTA!) or Il était une fois in Oakville.
- Check out your local library, you will be surprise how many of your child’s favorite books are available in French and often much more readily than in English!
- The Toronto Public Library offers fun French programs like French storytime for kids, French book clubs and French conversation circles during the month of December. Discover their plethora of French activities.
Even more books…
You can also check out 7 Winter themed children’s books in French
#3 Listen to French Radio
Did you know you can listen to local radio in French? Here are a few channels to tune into during the holidays.
- CHOQFM 105,1: features several different programs, check it out online and choose one.
- Radio Canada Toronto offers programming all day long in French on its channel La Première Chaîne.
- If you have teenagers around, they might like one of the most popular French radio stations in Montreal: CKOI 96.9.
#4: French Holiday TV, Films and Theaters
Télé-Québec is offering special programming for the holidays until January. And of course, all programs are in French. Your child can enjoy the adventures of Astérix, or explore an urban jungle in the hit movie, Madagascar. Whatever your child’s preference, there is a program for every taste!
Tune in to Télé-Québec’s holiday special.
Want more French TV?
- TFO has a huge repertoire of family-friendly French films, music videos, comedy, cartoons, and much more!
- Of course, Tou TV is fabulous to catch all French shows from Quebec. And you should know that they also have a special section for children as well as special programming for the holidays.
- For teens, the Rogers channel Unis or unis.ca on the web has an incredible selection of popular TV programs. If your child is between 7-12 years of age, you can even try their app Francolab. The page is in French so you may need your child’s help to download the app.
Why not kick back and watch a French film with your FI student this holiday season?
- Check out the ONF to take your pick of French animated movies, educational films or documentaries or refer back to our list of Top French Films for Kids.
- Here’s a great list of French holiday movies perfect for children of any age!
Théatre français de Toronto – This Toronto theater is offering a play in French on December 16th: Petites Bûches. Fun for the whole family!
#5: French Online Holiday Activities
Seeing as kids already spend so much time online, let’s try to make that time both educational and fun. There’s plenty of great websites that are full of fun French games and activities to be experienced from the comfort of home.
Here are some of our favourite holiday themed ones:
A Christmas themed website full of French games and activities for kids!
French games for every season, including Winter/the holidays
Kids Zone Website by Radio-Canada (CBC) with tons of French games and activities
Of course, how could we forget the infamous Norad Santa Tracker? It’s also available in French and includes fun activities on the website! Just select “French” as the language in top right corner.
#6: French Holiday Treats
If there’s anytime of the year to treat yourself to some sweet delicacies… it’s definitely the holidays! Of course, kids are always hungry for cookies, pastries, and cakes. This winter break, take a family trip to a classic French bakery in Toronto and get a taste of French culture and atmosphere.
Here’s the top French bakeries in Toronto.
And here are 2 of our favorites: visit Douce France or Crêpes à Gogo for a wonderful treat but also to order and chat in French.
#7: FREE French Holidays Activity Workbook
As a special Christmas bonus for you, we’re also including our very own French worksheet to help your child learn the seasons, colors, and more – all in French.
Download the Winter French Activities Workbook here:
We hope you will find this list useful to help you enjoy this Holiday season in French!
What French activities will you schedule with your child this holiday season? Share your ideas in the comments below.
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