Best Chinese Songs for Kids: Fun & Easy Way to Learn Mandarin

Chinese songs for kids is an easy and fun way for kids to learn Mandarin. Children already enjoy music and hearing the same song on repeat, making this an easy way to expose children to a second language in an engaging way.

Just think of how you learned the ABCs or how a well known melody will conjure up lyrics we haven’t sung in years! Setting words to music makes it a lot easier for people of all ages to commit things to memory.

Singing is also easier than speaking a new language. Especially in tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese, starting by learning how to sing a song will make picking up the language a lot easier.

Lyrics in Chinese songs for kids will also help children pick up common vocabulary words and train their sponge-like brains for both language comprehension and speaking.

Best of all, playing songs at home or in the car is stress free for busy parents like me!

How to Use Music to Help Kids Learn Chinese

So now that I have you convinced, here are simple steps to use music as a tool for language learning.

1. If your child is learning Chinese as a second language, start with songs or tunes they are already familiar with such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/小星星 or Two Tigers/兩隻老虎. Learning a new language can be overwhelming for kids, starting with something they are already familiar and confident in with will help them enjoy learning the language.

2. Start with a few songs and then introduce more once the child has become familiar with them. This is to help them not be overwhelmed and also actually learn the words in the songs which is the goal. Stick to one album first, playing it at home or in the car, and then add another album once your child has learned them.

How to Use Chinese Songs for Kids to Learn Chinese for Different Ages

Babies: sing along with the song and use a scarf (following the rhythm of the song, pull over the baby), shaker or blow & pop bubbles while you sing to make the experience even more engaging. Feel free to take their little hands and feet gently and do some motions to go along with the song. Cuddle them as you sing the song to them or bounce them on your lap to the rhythm of the song. Watch them squeal with laughter! Check out this video from Music Together for more ideas.

Toddlers and Preschoolers: Add hand motions and dance to the songs. Create your own musical instruments with empty boxes or plastic containers. Invite them to draw as they listen to the songs. Let your kids come up with their own lyrics to the same tune.

Gradeschoolers and up: Have them do some copy work by copying the lyrics to their favorite song. Invite them to learn the song on the musical instrument they’re learning. Form a family band or host a singing competition. Better yet, if you want to really immerse yourself in the culture, have a karaoke (KTV) sing off with friends!

Chinese Kids Songs for Babies to Preschoolers/Beginners

Below are Chinese kids songs with lyrics that are simple, sung more clearly and at a slower pace. Most of the songs have lyrics that are not overpowered by the music. Some albums also touches on everyday activities such as bathing, brushing teeth, eating meals that can be learned and sung during the day to help pick up the language.

Chinese Kids Songs for Preschoolers to Grade Schoolers/Intermediate

Below are Chinese albums that with more intermediate level Mandarin Chinese lyrics. The songs are sung at a faster pace with more complicated lyrics. These songs are also more engaging for grade schoolers.

For more Chinese children Christian albums, be sure to check out these posts:

Chinese Kids Songs for Tweens & Teens/Advanced

Below is a selection of popular Mandarin Chinese singers and bands suitable for tweens and teens (each family’s standards are different so I would still suggest that you screen them first).

Most of the lyrics are more complex, clean and positive set to fun catchy music.

If you’re interested in keeping up with the latest in the Taiwanese music scene, be sure to check out the Taiwan Beats site. Spotify is also another great place to find the latest Chinese Mandarine songs.

Hope these help to expand your Chinese learning tool belt! What are some of your favorite Chinese children’s albums I didn’t include? Please share below.

More Helpful Resources for Learning Mandarin Chinese

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