20 Things You Can Do With Your Early Learner During Spring Break to Support Language Learning

Spring break is the perfect time to blend fun and education! For parents raising bilingual or early language learners, this weeklong break offers a golden opportunity to engage your child in playful, intentional language learning activities that build vocabulary, encourage communication, and strengthen cultural connections.

Outdoor play tops the list! Whether it’s a trip to the park or a backyard adventure, getting outside offers endless opportunities for learning and language exposure.

• Go on a nature walk and name everything you see in Mandarin (trees, flowers, insects!)
• Draw with sidewalk chalk and write simple Mandarin characters together
• Sing songs in both English and Mandarin with motions (like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
• Practice naming fruits and vegetables during snack time
• Watch Kaiban Kids episodes and pause to repeat key Mandarin words
• Create flashcards with pictures and Chinese characters
• Bake a simple recipe and label all ingredients in Mandarin
• Play “I Spy” in Mandarin with objects around the house
• Visit a Chinese market and identify familiar words on labels
• Paint or color scenes from Chinese culture (lanterns, pandas, dragons)
• Act out simple stories using Mandarin words
• Practice greetings and family member names during family visits
• Play matching games with Mandarin vocabulary cards
• Make playdough shapes and name them in Mandarin
• Set up a pretend restaurant with menus labeled in Chinese
• Watch a Chinese cartoon or animated show with subtitles
• Learn a Mandarin nursery rhyme and perform it together
• Explore Mandarin-learning apps together
• Start a language learning journal with drawings and vocabulary
• Play a Mandarin “Simon Says” style game (e.g., “touch your nose” in Chinese)

• Print or prep materials in advance (flashcards, coloring pages)
• Create a daily spring break activity calendar
• Use simple Mandarin phrases throughout your routine
• Be consistent and repeat words often for retention
• Celebrate effort over perfection to build confidence

Spring break is a valuable window for engaging your child’s mind through language, play, and cultural experiences. These at-home activities provide joyful, low-pressure ways to nurture curiosity and Mandarin vocabulary. With a little planning and a lot of love, you can make language learning an unforgettable part of your family’s spring traditions.

Looking for even more resources to support your little one’s language journey? Visit the KaiBan Blog for engaging content and watch our latest episodes on YouTube to bring the joy of learning Mandarin to life!