20 Best Chinese Apps for Kids: Books, Math, Reading, Writing, and More

Educational Chinese apps for children learning Mandarin Chinese

The best Chinese apps for kids can be a convenient and affordable way to expose children to more Chinese language. Educational Chinese apps can be especially helpful if you live in an area with few native Chinese speakers.

This list includes the top Chinese apps with dictionaries, audiobooks, music, math, reading, and writing tools. I’ve compiled this list based on what our family uses plus recommendations from fluent Chinese-speaking friends.

Related: 20+ Ways to Get Your Kids to Speak Chinese

Educational Chinese apps for kids

How much time should my child use Chinese apps?

In general, children do not need apps for learning. If your family is learning Chinese without challenges, there’s no need to use Chinese apps. Families who prefer to avoid screen time can use apps for the audio while turning the phone face down or consider Luka Reading Robot.

For those looking for guidelines on using apps to supplement Chinese exposure, the American Academy of Pediatrics generally recommends the following as a maximum cap:

  • Under age 18 months: No screen-time except for video-chatting with relatives
  • Age 18-24 months: Limited, high-quality screen-time together with caregivers to ensure understanding
  • Age 2-5 years: Less than 1 hour per day together with caregivers to ensure understanding. Set a timer and clear expectations.
  • 6 years and up: Designate a specific time limit in the daily or weekly routine. Talk to kids about how apps can negative affects on behavior, creativity, physical activity, weight, vision, and sleep.

Related: Visual Daily Routine Chart for Kids in English, Chinese, Korean (Free Printable)

With infants and young children, real-life experiences and hands-on activities/games are the best ways to expand vocabulary. Minimizing screen-time is necessary to protect their developing brains and attention span. If you don’t have access to a native Chinese speaker at this age, it’s okay to wait until they are old enough to handle screen-time.

To learn more about the effects of media on children:

Listening to an audiobook app with the screen off
Listening to a Chinese audiobook app with the screen off

How do I know which Chinese app is best for my kids?

Before showing them to your children, please try the Chinese apps are appropriate for your child’s age and language abilities. Remember that language learning starts with functional communication skills (listening and speaking), followed by learning to read and write.

Be cautious about inappropriate ads and commercials, and delete any unused apps on your iPad or Kindle fire to minimize clutter and confusion.

Best 20 Educational Chinese apps for kids

The titles here are linked to iTunes and Google Play so that you can preview the app.

*Denotes default language is English; Mandarin Chinese must be selected via Settings.

Chinese dictionary apps for kids and adults

咔哒故事 Chinese story app

Chinese audiobooks & music apps for kids and adults

Mandarin Chinese TV show and movie apps

Learn Chinese characters app

Related: How I Taught My Child 1000+ Chinese Characters as a Non-Fluent Speaker

Chinese writing apps for kids and adults

Related: Chinese Writing Worksheets – Simplified and Traditional Chinese

Chinese math apps for children

  • Montessori Geometry – Recognize and learn shapes*: iTunes
  • Count to 10: Learn Numbers with Montessori*: iTunes
  • Montessori 1st Operations – Addition & subtraction*: iTunes | Google Play
  • Montessori Numberland*: iTunes
  • Montessori Math City*: iTunes
  • Montessori Math: Add & Subtract Large Numbers*: iTunes
  • Montessori Math: Multiplication*: iTunes | Google Play

Related: 10+ Math Resources for Children learning Chinese

Chinese culture app

  • Relative translator 三姑六婆 Lite – 親戚稱呼計算機: iTunes | Google Play

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Educational Chinese apps for children learning Mandarin Chinese

Other Chinese learning resources for kids

If you know of other educational Chinese resources for children, please leave a comment so we all can check it out!

More tips on raising bilingual kids

Happy learning, friends!

2 Comments

  1. Amazing list. Thank you so much for sharing! I have spent hours and hours, days and days searching for CHALK principaled resources and have found so much more from your website! Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Janice! I’m so glad to hear that it’s helpful, and I really appreciate that you went out of your way to share! 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!

      Reply

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