Bonjour, mon ami! The City of Lights and Love has invaded NYC. From books to clothing stores to afternoon tea parties, French culture is everywhere, and we’ve rounded up our favorite family-friendly options for you to choose from. So forget about your striped shirts and berets because we’re showing you seven better ways to feel a little French with your kids this spring.
Journalist, mother, and expat Pamela Druckerman shares the secrets of French parents in this instructional book about child rearing the European way. Bébé Day by Day sums up the lessons in Druckerman’s highly popular Bringing Up Bébé to teach moms and dads some effective French methods for teaching children patience, the four magic words, an appreciation for gourmet food, and much more.
Is there anything more French than great fashion? We don’t think so, and SoHo clothing store Les Petits Chapelais lets you share the sartorial bug with your kids. With adorable rompers, bloomers, sweaters, and tees for boys and girls from French, as well as popular Australian, American, and European labels, this store cannot be missed by any clothing-conscious parent.
Embroidery pour le Bebe: 100 French Designs for Babies and the Nursery
Just because you bought your diaper bag in the garment district, that doesn’t mean it can’t have Parisian polish. Whether you’re an experienced sewer or just learning to thread a needle, this crafts book from French artist Sylvie Blondeau, can teach all doting parents how to decorate baby goods, including blankets, bibs, bags, and toys.
Bilingual Birdies: Fun in French
Foreign language and live music program Bilingual Birdies introduces kids to other languages and cultures using music, movement, dance, puppetry, and theatre-based games. In Fun in French, your child will learn 10 to 15 basic vocabulary words and short phrases during each class. Weekly group and private class options are available, as are free—but less frequent—group lessons at local libraries.
Tea parties aren’t just for the Brits. Every Saturday from April 6 to May 11, families can visit the Carlyle Hotel for Madeline’s Tea, an afternoon tea party inspired by the French children’s book series. Kids can sing along to the Madeline Song Book with Tina de Varon, and, of course, read classic Madeline books.
From April through May 12, NYC families can experience French performance at its best during Ricochet – Arts for All Ages! A collaboration with Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York, the four-week, citywide festival will feature some amazing circus, puppetry, and physical theater companies from France. The New Victory Theater will host Le Grand C by Compagnie XY (April 18-28) in which 17 acrobats achieve breathtaking stunts and create human formations with flawless flair. Best for ages 7 and up. New Victory will also present Fragile by Le Clan des Songes (April 25-May 12), a thought-provoking piece of wordless puppet theater accompanied by original music. Best for ages 4 and up. And French Institute Alliance Française will bring dancing plastic bag “characters” to the stage in a Foehn Version 1 by Compagnie Non Nova, Phia Ménard (April 27). Best for ages 5 and up.
Little Pim
Les petits enfants can learn French at home with the help of language programs like Little Pim. Especially geared to children under 6 years old, Little Pim language discovery sets teach little ones over 360 words and phrases. And beyond the obvious benefits of enhanced travel experiences and deeper appreciation for other cultures, research has found that children who learn a second language have superior reading, writing, analytical, and social skills. C’est magnifique!
