Spanish Words for Kids: 100 Essential Vocabulary for Beginners

Welcome back to Sarah’s Spanish School blog, where we teach your kiddos the language of Cervantes, Shakira, and Dora the Explorer. Look, we all know that kids absorb language like a sponge soaking up spilt juice—quick and messy. So why not pour some basic Spanish vocab into that sponge of a brain? Today, we’ve got 100 essential Spanish words for kids that are perfect for beginners.

Imagine your little one negotiating for extra cookies in Spanish! Or even tell you about their day at school using a mix of English and Español. Yep, it’s not only adorable but also incredibly beneficial for their cognitive development. We’re about to deep-dive into words that’ll serve as the building blocks of their multilingual empire.

The Importance of Vocabulary

First things first, why the fuss about vocabulary? Well, without words, we’d be back to the Stone Age, communicating through grunts and cave paintings. Vocabulary is the spice of language, the toppings on the linguistic pizza, and the best way for kids to learn Spanish. Knowing the right set of words can turn your child into a mini Shakespeare—or, in this case, a pint-sized Pablo Neruda.

Vocabulary is important for a child to succeed because:

• Vocabulary growth is directly related to their achievements at school
• The size of a child’s vocabulary in kindergarten predicts the ability to learn to read
• Vocabulary helps a child with how to think and learn about the world
• Expanding a child’s knowledge of words provides unlimited access to new information

Basic Spanish Greetings

Time to kick things off with some basic Spanish words—the conversational greetings. Think of this section as the “please” and “thank you” of the Spanish-speaking world.

• Hola – Hello

• Adiós – Goodbye

• Buenos días – Good morning

• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

• Buenas noches – Good evening/night

• ¿Cómo estás? – How are you?

• Bien – Good

• Mal – Bad

• Más o menos – So-so

• Por favor – Please

Next time your little one greets you, help your child by insisting on them using conversational Spanish – get them to throw in a “buenos días” for good measure!

Spanish Numbers and Colors

No, we’re not playing bingo, but we might as well be. Learning numbers and colors are not only practical but also incredibly fun Spanish for kids.

• Uno – One

• Dos – Two

• Tres – Three … You get the drift.

• Diez – Ten

• Rojo – Red

• Azul – Blue

• Verde – Green …and so on.

Family and Relations in Spanish

Who’s who in the zoo—or, in this case, in la familia?

• Madre – Mother

• Padre – Father

• Hermano – Brother

• Hermana – Sister

• Abuelo – Grandfather

• Abuela – Grandmother

• Tío – Uncle

• Tía – Aunt

• Primo – Cousin

• Bebé – Baby

Get your kid to speak Spanish and introduce the family at the next reunion, and you’ve got yourself a party trick.

Food and Drink in Spanish 

Teaching your kids the names of food items in Spanish is a guaranteed way to make mealtime more entertaining.

• Manzana – Apple

• Leche – Milk

• Pan – Bread

• Queso – Cheese

• Pollo – Chicken

• Arroz – Rice

• Agua – Water

• Zanahoria – Carrot

• Pescado – Fish

• Huevo – Egg

Before you know it, they’ll be ordering tapas like a pro!

Around the House in Spanish

Let’s bring the learning home—literally!

• Casa – House

• Cama – Bed

• Puerta – Door

• Ventana – Window

• Silla – Chair

• Mesa – Table

• Baño – Bathroom

• Cocina – Kitchen

• Jardín – Garden

• Escaleras – Stairs

Now, chores can be a bilingual affair—sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Nature and Outdoors in Spanish

These are the words your kiddos need for adventures beyond the four walls.

• Sol – Sun

• Luna – Moon

• Árbol – Tree

• Flor – Flower

• Montaña – Mountain

• Río – River

• Mar – Sea

• Lago – Lake

• Estrella – Star

• Nube – Cloud

Animals and Pets in Spanish

• Perro – Dog

• Gato – Cat

• Pájaro – Bird

• Pez – Fish

• Caballo – Horse

• Vaca – Cow

• Ratón – Mouse

• Conejo – Rabbit

• Oso – Bear

• León – Lion

School and Learning in Spanish 

Let’s make their classroom chatter more global, shall we?

• Escuela – School

• Libro – Book

• Lápiz – Pencil

• Profesor – Teacher

• Amigo – Friend

• Clase – Class

• Estudiante – Student

• Tarea – Homework

• Dibujo – Drawing

• Jugar – Play

Spanish Common Verbs

• Comer – Eat

• Beber – Drink

• Dormir – Sleep

• Leer – Read

• Escribir – Write

• Correr – Run

• Saltar – Jump

• Cantar – Sing

• Bailar – Dance

• Hablar – Speak

Spanish Words for Kids FAQs

How can I incorporate these Spanish words for kids into daily life?

Label things around the house, create flashcards, and make it a game!

Are these Spanish words for kids suitable for all age groups?

Absolutely, you’re never too young or too old to learn.

Can I get printables or flashcards for these Spanish words for kids?

Absolutely! We have printables and flashcards available exclusively for our members. If you’re interested, why not become a member and gain access to this and other fantastic resources? Trust us, it’s worth it!

Next Steps: Start Learning Spanish with Sarah’s Spanish School 

Now you’re armed with a ton of Spanish words for kids. What’s next? Sprinkle these words and phrases into daily conversations and watch the magic happen. Better yet, check out our programs at Sarah’s Spanish School. Why not start a free trial for Bilingual Beginners and make vocabulary learning as exciting as Saturday morning cartoons? Come on, jump in—the agua’s fine! 🌊

Adiós for now, and remember, the best way to teach Spanish is to make it as fun for kids as a barrel of bilingual monkeys! 🐒