100 Easy Spanish Words for Kids (By Category)

Homeschool Languages
Oct 5
7 min read

This list organizes the 100 easiest Spanish words for kids by verbs, nouns, colors, emotions, and daily routines. Each word is chosen for real-life use, at home, school, or play, and includes tips to help kids remember and speak them, even if parents aren’t fluent in Spanish.

Quick Wins to Get You Started

These 100 words are grouped by how your kids will actually use them, during meals, playtime, school, and beyond
Designed for non-fluent parents who want to learn and speak with their kids
Based on real-life routines, not random vocab lists
Includes tips that help the words stick, without needing extra apps, time, or pressure
You’ll get verbs, nouns, emotions, colors, food… all in one place, ready to use

Want the easiest way to make these words part of your day? Download our free Spanish lessons now and start speaking with your kids today!!

It’s the only open-and-go program that gives you the exact words to say, how to say them, and when to use them, plus visual support and built-in audio. You don’t need to be fluent. You just need a starting point that works.

But if you’ve tried vocab words before and no one’s actually speaking them... keep reading! We’ll show you how to make this list come alive, with zero overwhelm and real connection.

What Makes a Spanish Word “Easy” for Kids?

Spoiler: It’s about whether your kids can use the word in their real life, during snack time, while playing, getting dressed, or telling you they’re tired. That’s what makes it stick.

“Easy” words tend to:

Show up in routines your child already knows
Be connected to things they care about (like pets or toys)
Feel useful right away, like saying yes, more, or I’m hungry

If you’ve been handed a list of vocabulary and thought, “Okay… now what?”, you’re not alone. Lists don’t lead to language unless they’re tied to context.

That’s why this one is grouped by how real kids live, not how textbooks are written.

How to Teach Spanish Words to Kids (Even If You’re Not Fluent)

You don’t need to be a native speaker. You don’t even need to prep. Here’s how we teach parents to bring Spanish into their homes naturally, using just a few minutes a day.

Step-by-step:

1. Use short phrases before single words. Instead of starting with "apple," try "Want the apple?" It’s easier to remember in context.

2. Repeat daily, without pressure. Repetition is the secret sauce, but only when it’s low-stress and fun. Think: snack-time phrases, cleanup songs, or puppet chats.

3. Pair the new words with your routine. Brushing teeth? Use “Vamos a cepillar.” Getting dressed? Say “Busca la camiseta.”

4. Introduce a puppet that “only speaks Spanish.” Total game-changer. Your child knows you speak English, but a silly puppet who “doesn’t”? Suddenly Spanish becomes a game worth playing.

5. Celebrate tiny wins. One-word replies? Amazing. Even eye contact during your Spanish phrase counts. Small steps lead to big confidence.

If you're wondering, “Will my child actually remember these?”: yes. Especially if you make the words useful, consistent, and a little silly.

10 Greeting & Manners Words (First Conversations)

These are the first words that open doors to connection. Kids love feeling polite, grown-up, and “in the know”, so start here.

Hola – Hello
Adiós – Goodbye
Por favor – Please
Gracias – Thank you
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Bien – Fine
Mal – Bad
Lo siento – Sorry
Sí – Yes
No – No

Try This: Sing them in a “hello” song. Then use them every day, at the door, at the dinner table, or when saying goodnight. You’ll be shocked how quickly they reply back.

15 Action Verbs Kids Actually Use (Not Just Memorize)

Verbs are how language moves. But instead of random verbs like to study or to analyze, these are the ones kids actually use to talk, play, and explore their world.

Comer – To eat
Dormir – To sleep
Jugar – To play
Leer – To read
Correr – To run
Saltar – To jump
Ir – To go
Venir – To come
Mirar – To look
Escuchar – To listen
Decir – To say
Tomar – To take
Ayudar – To help
Abrir – To open
Cerrar – To close

Phrase-building: Instead of saying “jugar”, say “¿Quieres jugar?” or “Vamos a jugar.” Little phrases build fluency fast.

15 Everyday Nouns Around the House

You don’t need to set up a classroom. These are words your child can use while walking through the house, brushing their teeth, or grabbing a toy.

La cama – Bed
La silla – Chair
La puerta – Door
La mesa – Table
El libro – Book
El juguete – Toy
La comida – Food
El agua – Water
El baño – Bathroom
La cocina – Kitchen
El vaso – Cup
La luz – Light
La ventana – Window
El suelo – Floor
El reloj – Clock

Try This: Grab sticky notes and label the items in Spanish. Your home becomes a word wall, without needing any extra space.

10 Colors, Numbers & Shapes

These are the building blocks for describing the world. Bonus: They’re easy to learn and fun to spot everywhere.

Colors:

Rojo, Azul, Verde, Amarillo, Negro
Blanco, Rosa, Naranja, Gris, Marrón

Numbers (1–10):

Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, Cinco
Seis, Siete, Ocho, Nueve, Diez

Shape:

Círculo – Circle
Cuadrado – Square
Triángulo – Triangle

Game idea: “Find something red!” “Count your snacks!” “What shape is the window?” You’ll reinforce learning without even trying.

10 Spanish Words for Emotions and Feelings

When kids can name how they feel, they feel more confident, and you're more likely to get real conversation going.

These words show up often and are perfect for repeating during daily check-ins or dramatic toddler moments.

Feliz – Happy
Triste – Sad
Enojado – Angry
Asustado – Scared
Cansado – Tired
Emocionado – Excited
Enfermo – Sick
Hambriento – Hungry
Sediento – Thirsty
Aburrido – Bored

Conversation starter: Ask “¿Cómo te sientes?” during breakfast or before bed. Model your answer: “Estoy cansada, ¿y tú?” You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes routine.

10 School & Learning Words

These are words your kids can use during homeschool time, co-op classes, or even in pretend play. They also help Spanih feel connected to everyday learning, not just a separate subject.

La escuela – School
El lápiz – Pencil
El papel – Paper
El libro – Book
La mochila – Backpack
La maestra – Teacher
La tarea – Homework
La pizarra – Whiteboard
La silla – Chair
El escritorio – Desk

Use case: Pack your backpack and name the items aloud. Say “¿Dónde está el lápiz?” and let them point it out or answer. It’s functional, fun, and builds independence.

10 Food Words for Mealtime Practice

Meals are the perfect time to practice Spanish. Why? Because they happen multiple times a day, everyone’s seated, and there’s real motivation (hello, hunger!).

La manzana – Apple
El pan – Bread
La leche – Milk
El jugo – Juice
El arroz – Rice
El pollo – Chicken
El queso – Cheese
La banana – Banana
El huevo – Egg
La sopa – Soup

Activity idea: Let your child take your order like a pretend waiter. “Quiero pan y jugo, por favor.” They’ll love the roleplay, and the words will stick.

10 Animal Names Kids Love

Let’s be honest, kids never get tired of animal words. Whether it’s storytime, trips to the zoo, or a walk outside, animals are everywhere. These words are great for toddlers and older kids alike.

El perro – Dog
El gato – Cat
El pez – Fish
El pájaro – Bird
El conejo – Rabbit
La vaca – Cow
El caballo – Horse
El león – Lion
El elefante – Elephant
La mariposa – Butterfly

Try this: Read an animal book in English, but say the animal names in Spanish. Add sound effects for bonus fun.

10 Adjectives & Descriptive Words

These are the words that bring sentences to life. They help your child go from “el gato” to “el gato grande”, a simple shift that builds language skills fast.

Grande – Big
Pequeño – Small
Rápido – Fast
Lento – Slow
Limpio – Clean
Sucio – Dirty
Frío – Cold
Caliente – Hot
Feliz – Happy
Triste – Sad

Practice idea: Play the “Opposites” game, “Rápido o lento?” Point to different things and let your child call out what they see.

What If My Kid Won’t Speak Spanish Back?

Let’s normalize this: Most kids won’t respond right away. That’s not failure, it’s part of the process. Speaking a new language out loud can feel weird, even when they know the words.

Here’s how we help kids go from quiet to confident:

Focus on response-driven learning, not reciting vocabulary
Ask questions that invite short replies (like “¿Quieres más?”)
Introduce a puppet who “only speaks Spanish”, this makes it feel like play, not pressure
Use simple scripts that make it easier to reply
Celebrate any interaction, even a smile, a head nod, or a made-up word!