Easy Spanish Words For Kids | Start With These 32 Words & Phrases

When I first started speaking Spanish with my kids, I wasn’t sure it would stick. At first, they just stared at me like I was making up words. But little by little, it started clicking. One day, my son spotted a bird outside and shouted, “¡Mira!” without thinking.

Another time, my daughter grabbed her snack and casually said, “Gracias,” without prompting or hesitation. That’s when I knew: Spanish was becoming part of their world.

Imagine your child effortlessly using Spanish words throughout the day, calling out “¡Mira!” when they spot something exciting, or saying “Gracias” without being reminded. Instead of feeling like a forced lesson, Spanish becomes a natural, joyful part of their routine.

That’s the beauty of starting with easy, high-frequency words that kids actually use. No boring vocab lists, no pressure, just real words that fit into everyday moments.

In this guide, I’ll show you the simplest Spanish words to introduce right away, the same words Spanish-speaking kids hear and say daily. Whether you’re fluent or learning alongside your child, these words will fit seamlessly into your day, making Spanish feel natural (and even fun!).

Let’s jump in!

Why Simple, High-Frequency Spanish Words Are Best for Kids

When we began using simple, everyday words like agua (water), hola (hello), and gracias (thank you), something amazing happened, our kids actually started using them.

These weren’t just flashcard words. They were phrases our kids could say during snack time, playtime, and bedtime. Words they heard often, needed often, and loved repeating. And that’s the sweet spot where language starts to click.

Instead of overwhelming ourselves with long lists or grammar drills, we kept it playful. A high-five for saying “por favor.” A proud little “más leche, por favor” at the table. Those small moments added up fast, and they stuck.

Sometimes we worry about teaching something wrong. But your child won’t remember the one time you mispronounced a verb. What they will remember is how fun it felt to actually speak Spanish at home.

The goal isn’t to impress, it’s to connect.

So skip the pressure, and lean into the little wins. Use words that matter in your real life. Sing them, say them, laugh through them. Language learning can be natural, doable, and honestly? A whole lot of fun.

Essential Spanish Words for Kids (By Daily Scenario)

The best way to teach Spanish is to use it where it matters most, real life! These simple words fit naturally into your child’s day, making Spanish feel effortless, useful, and fun.

Greetings & Manners (Everyday Essentials)

The first words my kids learned weren’t complicated phrases, they were simple greetings and polite expressions. Words like hola (hello) and gracias (thank you) were easy to say and fit into our day effortlessly.

These are the words Spanish-speaking kids hear all the time, making them the perfect starting point.

• Hola – Hello

• Adiós – Goodbye

• Por favor – Please

• Gracias – Thank you

• De nada – You’re welcome

• Lo siento – Sorry

  
  

👶 Why These Matter: Every conversation starts with a greeting. Every request needs por favor. These words make kids feel successful right away.

Common Requests & Commands (Useful for Parents!)

Half the words I say to my kids are commands (“Put that down! Come here! Sit still!”). So why not say them in Spanish? These short, powerful phrases help kids get used to hearing and responding in Spanish.

• Ven aquí – Come here

• Siéntate – Sit down

• Espera – Wait

• Ayuda – Help

• Mira – Look

• Escucha – Listen

  
  

🤔 Common worry: “My child understands but won’t reply in Spanish!” → Try using a puppet or stuffed animal that only ‘understands’ Spanish. Suddenly, Ven aquí isn’t just a phrase, it’s a fun challenge!

Mealtime Words (Fun to Use at the Table!)

Nothing motivates kids like food. I made a rule, if you want more of something, ask in Spanish! It turned dinnertime into a game, and my kids picked up words fast.

• Agua – Water

• Leche – Milk

• Pan – Bread

• Frutas – Fruits

• Más, por favor – More, please

• Tengo hambre – I’m hungry

  
  

🥄 Engagement Idea: Make it fun, your child has to ask for food in Spanish to “unlock” their next bite!

Action Words (Verbs Kids Love to Use!)

Want your child to speak Spanish without even realizing it? Use verbs that involve movement! These words stick because kids naturally associate them with what they’re doing.

• Correr – To run

• Saltar – To jump

• Bailar – To dance

• Jugar – To play

• Cantar – To sing

  
  

🎵 Why These Work: Kids love movement, so pairing actions with words makes learning fun.

Feelings & Reactions (Encourage Expressing Emotions!)

Kids have big feelings, so why not give them the words to express them in Spanish? My favorite? ¡Guau! (Wow!), because it naturally comes out when they’re excited.

• Feliz – Happy

• Triste – Sad

• Enojado/a – Angry

• Tengo miedo – I’m scared

• Me gusta – I like it

  
  

💡 Pro Tip: Exclamatory words like ¡Bravo! (Great job!) make kids feel successful right away.

Family & People Words (Who’s in the House?)

We naturally talk about family all the time, so these are great words to introduce early.

• Mamá – Mom

• Papá – Dad

• Hermano/a – Brother/Sister

• Abuela/o – Grandma/Grandpa

  
  

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tip: Encourage kids to call family members by their Spanish names, it’s an easy way to reinforce learning!

By using these everyday words, your child will start speaking Spanish naturally, without memorizing endless vocab lists. Pick a few, start today, and watch how quickly they pick them up!

How to Make Learning Spanish Words Stick

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that kids don’t “study” language, they live it. If learning Spanish feels like a chore, they’ll tune out. But if it’s playful and part of their world, they’ll soak it up like little sponges.

💡 The Power of Play

Forget flashcards, kids learn best when they’re having fun. Sing “Hola, ¿cómo estás?” while clapping, play “Simon Says” in Spanish (¡Siéntate! ¡Salta!), or read a bedtime story with just one or two Spanish words sprinkled in. The sillier, the better!

📺 Use Media for Immersion

Kids already love TV, so use it to your advantage! Shows like Pocoyó and Dora la Exploradora expose them to real Spanish speech. Need something easy? Try a Spanish version of their favorite song on YouTube. They won’t even realize they’re learning!

👂 Daily Mini-Goals Keep It Fun

Start small, just 2-3 words a day. Instead of “Do you want milk or water?” say, “¿Quieres leche o agua?”. No pressure, just exposure. Soon enough, they’ll surprise you by answering back!

Next Steps: Bringing Spanish Into Your Home Today

Your child’s first Spanish words don’t have to come from a textbook, they can come from everyday life. But knowing which words to start with (and how to actually get your child to use them) can feel overwhelming. That’s where Homeschool Languages comes in.

We designed our program to make Spanish simple, engaging, and natural, even if you’re not fluent.

📝 Scripted Lessons – No guessing what to say next, just open and follow along.🎲 Play-Based Activities – Songs, games, and real-life conversations make Spanish fun and interactive.🏡 Gradual Immersion Tools – Bilingual phrases blend naturally into your daily routine, so Spanish feels effortless.

You don’t need to memorize long vocab lists or force awkward phrases. With the right words and the right approach, Spanish will click, and your child will be using it before you know it.

👉 Ready to make Spanish a part of your home? Check out Homeschool Languages and get your first lessons today for free.

I can’t wait to see your child’s first Spanish words come to life! 🎉