If you’re moving to Portugal with children, one of your biggest questions is probably: how do we help them learn Portuguese?
It’s true that children often pick up languages faster than adults. But that does not mean you want to throw them straight into the deep end and hope for the best. Most parents would prefer to give their kids a gentler start, with time to hear the language, recognize common words, and build confidence before school or day-to-day life in Portugal begins.
Ideally, you want your children to start learning some Portuguese before you move. That gives them a head start and can make everything from making friends to understanding teachers feel a little less overwhelming.
The challenge is that most European Portuguese resources are designed for adults. Some work well for teenagers, but they can feel dry, difficult, or just plain boring for younger children. And where there are resources for children, they’re usually in Brazilian Portuguese and not European Portuguese.
Thankfully, we’ve been able to round up a few different resources that should help you and your children in your Portuguese learning journey.
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Below are some of the best resources to explore.
Apps and Online Learning Tools
Practice Portuguese
Practice Portuguese is mainly aimed at adults, but it also has content that can work for older children and teenagers, especially if a parent works through it with them.
It is not the most child-focused platform on this list, but it can be a very good stepping stone for families who want to learn together. Teenagers in particular may find it more appealing than more cartoonish resources.
Dinolingo
Dinolingo is one of the few language-learning platforms built specifically for children, especially younger children. It is aimed at ages 2 to 13 and uses cartoon-style lessons, bright visuals, and child-friendly activities to keep kids engaged.
If your child is very young and you want something that feels more like play than study, this is one of the better places to start.
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Droplets
Droplets is the children’s version of Drops and is designed for ages 7 to 16. According to its app listing, it uses colorful illustrations, native-speaker pronunciation, and topic-based vocabulary to help children learn through short, game-like sessions. It also includes parent features such as time management and progress tracking. The free version gives access for 5 minutes per day, with paid plans available for longer use.
This is a good option if your child likes apps and responds well to visual learning. It is especially useful for picking up basic vocabulary in a low-pressure way before you move.
As with many language apps, though, it is best seen as a supplement rather than a complete learning system. It can help children build familiarity with words and sounds, but they will still benefit from exposure to real Portuguese through books, TV, tutors, or conversation.
Droplets is available on Android and iOS
RTP Estudo em Casa
RTP’s Estudo em Casa is one of the most useful and most overlooked resources for learning European Portuguese. RTP describes it as an educational support platform for students and teachers, and explains that it became especially important during the confinement period before later being restructured as an ongoing support resource. The lessons are organized by school year, from early primary through secondary level.
What makes it so useful is that it gives children exposure to the kind of Portuguese they would actually hear in a Portuguese classroom. It is not really designed as a foreign-language course, so it feels more immersive than guided, but that is also part of its value.
If your child is school-age, or if you simply want them to hear slow, clear, teacher-led European Portuguese, this is well worth trying. Even adults at beginner level may find it surprisingly helpful.
The downside is that subtitles are not always available, so this works best as a listening and immersion tool rather than a follow-along language course.
Streaming and Screen-Based Immersion
Disney+
Disney+ is worth checking because many shows and films allow you to change the audio language and subtitle settings while watching. Disney’s help pages confirm that audio and subtitle options can be changed on supported devices, although availability varies by title.
For families learning Portuguese, this can be incredibly useful. If your child already knows and loves a film or series, switching it into European Portuguese can make the language much easier to follow. They already know the plot, the characters, and what is happening, so they are not trying to decode everything from scratch.
Not every title will offer European Portuguese, so you will need to test what is available. But if you already subscribe, it is one of the easiest places to start.
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Psst!
For a very limited time, we're giving away free copies of our best-selling book for free.
That right...the one with 400+ reviews on Amazon.
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Netflix
Netflix also lets you change audio and subtitles during playback, and its help pages note that available languages depend on the specific title and licensing agreements.
Most shows will be in Brazilian Portuguese, but it is worth checking to see what’s available.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video lets viewers change audio tracks and subtitles where available, both through playback controls and profile language settings. Amazon’s help pages also note that many titles include alternative audio tracks, but again, this depends on the title.
As with Disney+ and Netflix, the best strategy is often to start with a film or show your child already knows. Familiarity makes a huge difference.
Note: you’ll need an Prime subscription for Amazon Spain if you live in Portugal (your US or UK subscriptions won’t automatically carry over).
RTP Play and ZigZag
RTP Play is the streaming platform from Portugal’s national broadcaster, and it includes children’s programming through ZigZag. This can be a good way to watch content made for Portuguese children rather than international content that has been dubbed.
The main drawback is that it is not always easy to find content with subtitles, so it may require a bit of trial and error. Still, for exposure to authentic European Portuguese, it is a very useful free resource.
Visit RTP Play and the ZigZag section.
Winx Club in Portuguese
If your child likes fantasy or animated adventure series, the Portuguese-language Winx Club YouTube channel can be another useful option. I would treat this more as a bonus resource than a core one, but for the right child it could be a fun way to get extra exposure to Portuguese.
One-on-One Support
iTalki
If your child or teenager would benefit from one-on-one help, iTalki can be a good option. You can find Portuguese tutors online and filter by teachers who offer lessons for children.
This is particularly useful for older children, teenagers, or kids who need structure and encouragement. A tutor can tailor lessons to your child’s age, confidence level, and interests in a way that apps and videos cannot.
Lessons vary in price, but many are still affordable compared with in-person tutoring.
View teachers offering Portuguese lessons for children on iTalki.
Books, Reading, and Printed Resources
Lidel Books
Lidel is a Portuguese educational publisher that produces a range of European Portuguese learning materials. Most of its books are aimed at adults, but it also has several resources for younger learners and teenagers.
Examples include:
- Amigos pelo Mundo (aimed at adolescents and pre-adolescents)
- Na Crista da Onda (aimed at young learners)
- Hora da História (aimed at ages 6-10)
- Timi (aimed at ages 6-10)
You can find a list of textbooks here. There’s usually a tab on the book’s page which explains the target audience for the book. Some of these books can be found on other sites like Amazon as well.
Children’s books
Children’s books are one of the best ways to introduce Portuguese without making it feel intimidating. You can find storybooks in Portuguese, bilingual books, and books aimed at different reading levels.
A good option is the Portuguese Bookshop, which often indicates whether a title is in European or Brazilian Portuguese. That matters, especially if your goal is to prepare your child for life and school in Portugal.
Visit the suggested children’s books on the Portuguese Bookshop. There’s also a section for young adults.
(Note: because the bookshop is located in the UK, physical books will be sent from the UK which is now outside of the EU).
Mantra Lingua
Mantra Lingua offers bilingual books and e-books for children, including Portuguese-English titles. Many come with audio support as well, which can be helpful for pronunciation.
These are particularly good for younger children who enjoy stories and for families who want reading to be part of the learning process.
Rosa Estevens’ materials
Rosa Estevens, also known as Lesley Stephens, created a number of European Portuguese learning resources for children. Her materials were developed out of a real need for child-friendly Portuguese resources and have been shared for free online.
They are worth exploring, especially if you are looking for simple worksheets and practical learning materials rather than flashy apps.
DVDs
Most people stream now, but DVDs can still be useful.
The main reason is that it is sometimes easier to find children’s films with European Portuguese audio on DVD than on mainstream streaming platforms, especially older animated titles. In Portugal, live-action films are often not dubbed into European Portuguese, but animated films are much more likely to be.
If your child has a favorite Disney film or animated classic, it can be worth checking whether a European Portuguese version exists on DVD.
Which resources are best for which ages?
Toddlers and younger children
For younger children, the best options are usually visual, repetitive, and playful. Dinolingo, cartoons, dubbed Disney films, and simple picture books are often the easiest entry points.
Primary school age
For this group, it helps to combine fun and structure. Droplets, RTP Estudo em Casa, children’s books, ZigZag, and occasional tutoring can work well together.
Teenagers
Teenagers often do better with more grown-up resources. Practice Portuguese, iTalki lessons, classroom-style RTP content, and dubbed versions of shows they already watch can all be good fits.
Final thoughts
There is no single perfect resource for helping children learn European Portuguese.
In most cases, the best approach is to combine a few different things: a fun app, some TV or films, books, and perhaps a tutor if your child needs more support. Younger children may pick things up quickly through exposure, while older children often benefit from a little more structure and encouragement. Oh, and some shows with Brazilian Portuguese certainly won’t hurt. But primarily try to focus on European Portuguese where possible.
The most important thing is to start before you move, keep it low-pressure, and make Portuguese feel like part of everyday life rather than a chore. Even a little early exposure can make a big difference once your family arrives in Portugal.
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