Counting in French at Home

Growing up, one of my earliest school memories was chanting un, deux, trois with my classmates. Numbers are universal — they show up in games, meals, and daily routines. And here’s the good news: you don’t need to be fluent in French to help your child start counting.

In this guide, we’ll explore fun, hands-on ways to teach French numbers, from 1–20 and beyond. You’ll find songs, activities, and everyday ideas you can start using right away. And to make things easier, I’ve created a free French Numbers 1–20 Printable Workbook — perfect for kids to trace, color, and practice as they learn.

👉 Resource Library

📚 Why Learn Numbers in French?

Learning numbers is one of the most natural starting points in any new language. Kids already count daily in English — so switching to French is simply layering a new sound and rhythm onto something familiar.

Benefits of learning numbers in French:

Daily usefulness: Children can count toys, steps, snacks.

Confidence boost: Numbers feel simple and repetitive — easy wins for beginners.

Pronunciation practice: French numbers help kids get used to nasal sounds (un) and blended sounds (deux, trois).

Foundation for math: As kids grow, learning math vocabulary in French (addition, subtraction, skip counting) becomes easier.

And of course — it’s fun! Numbers are woven into songs, games, and stories.

🔢 Numbers 1–20 in French (with Pronunciation)

Here’s a quick reference for parents and kids.

1 — un (uh~ nasal)

2 — deux (duh)

3 — trois (trwah)

4 — quatre (katr)

5 — cinq (sank)

6 — six (seess)

7 — sept (set)

8 — huit (weet)

9 — neuf (nuhf)

10 — dix (deess)

11 — onze (onz)

12 — douze (dooz)

13 — treize (trehz)

14 — quatorze (kah-tohrz)

15 — quinze (kanz)

16 — seize (sehz)

17 — dix-sept (dees-set)

18 — dix-huit (dees-weet)

19 — dix-neuf (dees-nuhf)

20 — vingt (vah~ nasal)

💡 Tip for parents: Don’t stress about perfect pronunciation — repeat together, keep it playful, and kids will pick it up naturally.

🎶 Songs & Rhymes for Counting

French songs make numbers unforgettable. A few classics:

Un, deux, trois, nous irons au bois – A traditional counting rhyme perfect for clapping or skipping.

1, 2, 3, soleil! – The French version of “Red Light, Green Light” — great for active play.

Numbers to Music – Try singing numbers to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

🎤 Parent tip: Even if you don’t sing, kids love rhythm. Clap, tap, or use instruments while you count.

🎲 Fun Activities to Learn Numbers

1. Number Treasure Hunt

Hide cards with numbers around the room. Call out the number in French, and your child has to find it.

2. Snack Counting Snack time = learning time!

“Un, deux, trois raisins” or “dix biscuits.”

3. Hopscotch

Draw squares 1–10 in chalk and say the number in French as you jump.

4. Dice & Board Games

Switch to French whenever you roll dice or move game pieces.

5. Card Games Use Uno or regular playing cards to practice numbers.

6. Number Tracing

Use the printable workbook so kids can see, trace, and color each number.

🏡 Everyday Ways to Practice

You don’t need “lesson time” — French numbers can slip into your day:

Count steps on the stairs: Un, deux, trois…

Count stuffed animals at bedtime.

Count bites at lunch.

Play “How many?” with toys: Combien de voitures?

The more your child hears numbers in context, the faster they’ll stick.

👨‍👩‍👧 Tips for Parents Who Aren’t Fluent

Learn together: Say “let’s learn this word” — kids love being co-learners.

Use cheat sheets: Keep a list of numbers handy.

Practice little & often: 5 minutes is enough. Celebrate effort, not perfection: Even saying un, deux, trois is progress.

📖 Free Printable Workbook: French Numbers 1–20

To make this easy, I designed a free printable workbook with:

Traceable numbers + French words Coloring pages (count & color) Matching activities

🎁 Download here: Resource Library It’s perfect for ages 4–8, or anyone starting French from scratch. ✅

Make Numbers Part of Life

Numbers are one of the easiest — and most joyful — ways to start speaking French at home. By singing, playing, and counting together, you’ll give your child confidence and lay the foundation for bilingual growth.

Remember: don’t aim for perfection. Aim for fun + repetition. That’s what makes French stick.

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