Best Learn Chinese Apps for Kids: Reading, Writing, Music, Math

Best educational Chinese apps for children learning Mandarin

Chinese apps can be a fun and affordable way to teach kids a second language. After years of research, I’ve found the best apps to learn Chinese for kids and parents. Not only are apps convenient, but they can excite kids who need extra motivation to learn Mandarin.

First things first: the top Chinese learning apps cannot replace connection, interaction, and learning with real people. If you need a refresher, check out our Teach Kids Chinese Jump Start Guide. However, apps can potentially boost interest in reading or speaking Chinese.

To help save you time, this list includes the top Mandarin Chinese language apps for kids. The recommendations include Chinese dictionaries, audiobooks, music, math, reading, and writing apps.

Best Chinese apps for Kids to learn Mandarin

Best apps to learn Mandarin Chinese for kids

Learn Mandarin Chinese with apps! Here are the best apps that my kids and I personally use or have been strongly recommended by bilingual parents and teachers.

Each Chinese learning app is linked to iTunes and Google Play for convenience. Before downloading, please check the latest cost and developer notes.

Best dictionary app to learn Mandarin for kids and adults

Everyone can benefit from a Chinese dictionary app. There are always new words to learn, no matter your fluency level. These dictionary apps are great for learning simplified or traditional Chinese.

Pleco Mandarin Chinese Dictionary

Pleco Chinese Dictionary App

As a parent learning Chinese, I have used this app almost daily for years! Pleco Chinese Dictionary app is known for accurate translations and pronunciations. Each definition is accompanied by example phrases and sentences. You can bookmark Chinese characters for future review and organize saved words by category.

Under settings, choose simplified or traditional Chinese text and Mandarin or Cantonese audio. Free stroke order animation is available for some words, but you can upgrade for extra features. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

Google Translate Dictionary App

Google Translate App

Since Google Translate is free and widely accessible, most people have heard of it. You can easily copy/paste or type words and phrases you’d like to translate into over 100 languages.

When we were previously trying to raise trilingual kids, I was able to translate an English phrase into Chinese or Korean and vice versa with a click of a button.

The big caveat is that the actual words and grammar can be pretty inaccurate. Over the years, Google Translate has been trying to improve the quality by adding a “verified” badge to translations vetted by a native Chinese speaker. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

Train Chinese dictionary translation

Train Chinese Dictionary App

Although the other two dictionary apps generally serve our needs, I still keep Train Chinese on my phone.

Train Chinese offers free stroke order animation for every word in simplified AND traditional Chinese. What’s more, you can slow down or speed up the stroke order animation.

Since learning Chinese can get expensive, I really appreciate this free app. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

Related: The Best Chinese Picture Dictionaries for Kids

Best Mandarin audiobook and music app for kids

Music and audiobooks are amazing tools to help kids learn a new language. Kids can move their bodies while their brains are stimulated with new sounds and words. You can also enjoy using these Chinese apps without the screen!

La La Learn Mandarin Chinese children's songs and nursery rhymes

LaLa Learn Chinese Songs

Chinese music is one of the best ways to learn the language!

The LaLa Learn Chinese app teaches popular Chinese nursery rhymes and songs in traditional Chinese and pinyin with English translations. Available on iTunes.

Explore this: Best Chinese Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes

咔哒故事 Kada Gushi Chinese stories app

咔哒故事 Kada Gushi Chinese Stories App

This was the first Chinese app I downloaded at the start of our bilingual parenting journey! 咔哒故事 Kada Gushi features tons of popular Chinese and translated Western children’s stories.

The downside for new bilingual learners is that the app is entirely in Chinese. In recent years, the app has added distracting ads. Available on iTunes.

Explore this: Websites and Apps with FREE Multilingual books for Kids

Best Mandarin Chinese TV show and movie apps for kids

Like music and audiobooks, Chinese shows and movie apps are a fun activity for kids.

Many teens and adults have learned to read new languages through subtitles while watching their favorite shows or movies.

Even without subtitles or the ability to read, listening to and watching a show or movie can open the brain to a new language.

Disney Plus Kids Mandarin Movies

Did you know that Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ offer audio and subtitle translations of certain popular shows and movies? If you change the language settings, Chinese dubbing is available for many (though not all) videos.

If you need more video options, the following apps are popular for native Chinese speakers and parents learning Chinese:

Best apps to teach kids Chinese characters

Most people agree that memorizing Chinese characters is one of the most difficult obstacles to learning Chinese. Although our children have learned Chinese characters through my hands-on activities curriculum rather than these apps, these programs have been recommended by numerous parents and teachers.

These Chinese game apps can help you learn characters without the pressure of working with a teacher. However, they aren’t effective for Chinese speaking practice, which requires a live person.

Duolingo Mandarin Chinese Language App

Duolingo

This app is extremely popular because it teaches more than 40 languages for free! This could be a great starting point for language exposure on a limited budget. Because Duolingo mainly teaches through reading English instructions and other text-based games, this language app is geared toward older children who can already read English. It also teaches Hanyu Pinyin. This could be a pro or con depending if you want your child to focus on Chinese characters or Pinyin.

We did not use Duolingo for Chinese, but one of my children is using the app to practice Spanish. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

iHuman 1200 Chinese characters 洪恩识字

iHuman 1200 Chinese characters 洪恩识字

This popular Chinese learning app requires a subscription. Through interactive games and cartoons, many families love using this app to learn how to read and write 1200 simplified Chinese characters with Mandarin Chinese audio. The first 20 Chinese character games are free; subsequent games require a paid subscription.

Because of the flashy animation and occasional shooting games, I waited until my children were older to explore this app. My younger child enjoys the games, but my older child is too advanced for the app and does not like the animation. Available on iTunes.

Gus on the Go Learn Mandarin and Cantonese for Kids

Gus on the Go – Learn Mandarin and Cantonese for Kids

Another popular learn Chinese app! With an English interface, Gus on the Go is designed for beginner children learning Chinese. It teaches almost 90 simplified or traditional Chinese characters in Mandarin or Cantonese.

This app is an affordable starting point for families that use multiple Chinese scripts and dialects.

Best Chinese writing app for kids and adults

Put those characters to use and learn how to write them! These apps are handy for reviewing and practicing how to write and read Chinese characters.

Skritter app

Skritter Learn How to Write Chinese

This high-quality program can help older kids, teens, and adults learn Chinese characters and practice writing using spaced repetition.

Before subscribing to Skritter, sign up for a free trial to see if you like their stroke order and flashcard exercises. Choose your preferred script, simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

Other learn Chinese writing apps for kids

Consider these Chinese writing apps for younger children:

  • Kids Write Chinese: iTunes
  • 2Kids 学汉字 – 儿童快乐识字的早教认字游戏APP: iTunes

Best Mandarin math learning apps for children

Edoki Academy has several math apps available in multiple languages, including Chinese. This is a great way to learn math facts in Chinese while building general vocabulary and reading.

Edoki Academy learn Chinese and math educational app for kids
  • Montessori Geometry – Recognize and learn shapes: iTunes
  • Count to 10: Learn Numbers with Montessori: iTunes
  • Montessori 1st Operations – Addition and subtraction: iTunes
  • Montessori Numberland: iTunes
  • Montessori Math City: iTunes
  • Montessori Math: Add & Subtract Large Numbers: iTunes
  • Montessori Math: Multiplication: iTunes

Chinese culture app

Culture is another important part of learning a new language. Use the Relative translator 三姑六婆 Lite – 親戚稱呼計算機 Chinese app to help you find out the proper titles for Chinese relatives. Available on iTunes | Google Play.

Common questions about Mandarin learning apps for kids

Apps and screentime often trigger guilt and worries in parents. Here are common questions that parents often ask about using apps for learning Chinese.

How much time should my child use apps to learn Chinese?

If you’re using apps for Chinese language exposure, the American Academy of Pediatrics generally recommends the following:

  • Under 18 months: No screen time except for video-chatting with relatives
  • 18-24 months: Limited, high-quality screen time together with caregivers to ensure understanding
  • 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 negatively affect behavior, creativity, physical activity, weight, vision, and sleep.

Can kids learn Mandarin without apps?

If your family is learning Mandarin without challenges, there’s no need to start using Chinese apps.

Whenever you feel pressured to add technology, remember that children have been learning Chinese for centuries without 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.

Luka robot can read thousands of Chinese and English books to children
Reading 米小圈上学记 with Luka Robot

Why are screen time limits important for children?

With infants and young children, real-life experiences and hands-on Chinese activities 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 older.

To learn more about the effects of media on children:

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

What is the number one best app to learn Mandarin for kids?

The best app to learn Chinese depends on 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.

Before showing your child these Chinese learning apps, take some time to explore the app.

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

咔哒故事 Mandarin Chinese stories audiobook app for kids
咔哒故事 story app for kids

Which learn Chinese app do your kids like best?

In your family, which Chinese learning apps do your kids most often? I’m always looking for new resources to use with my children and pass along to others. Please share in the comments below so we can check out your favorite Chinese apps.

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!!

    1. Hi Janice! I’m so glad to hear that it’s helpful, and I really appreciate that you took the time to leave a message. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!

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