Learn Spanish with These 31 Cartoons

Do you want to learn Spanish like a kid? Have you ever wondered why some learners seem to memorize everything while you struggle to add new words to your vocabulary word-bank?

The solution to your problem might be to learn Spanish with cartoons, and we are here to do just that.

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1. “Peppa la cerdita” (“Peppa Pig”)

Peppa is so famous worldwide that I would be very surprised if you did not know her.

This pretty pig lives with her parents and younger brother, and grandpa and grandma are around most of the time, too.

Each episode revolves around a specific topic that Peppa or one of the other characters needs to learn about, like this FluentU video where Peppa learns about making a snowman.

More often than not, Peppa and her little brother will get in trouble in order to learn the lesson of the episode, but all in all, she is a very nice girl.

“Peppa Pig” covers topics like sports, food, holidays, professions, hobbies, means of transport, etc., so it is a great cartoon to boost your vocabulary. Check out the different compilations of videos in Latino Spanish. Each video includes complete episodes on a specific topic. Have fun!

2. “Caillou”

Caillou is a sweet four-year-old boy who is observing and learning about the world around him with the help of his dad, mom and sister Rosie.

What I like the most about this cartoon is that it really presents the world from a four-year-old’s perspective, depicting situations and problems that can be relatable to other kids. You can see Caillou buying a new pair of shoes and thinking he is the fastest boy in the world, having a toothache, going to the amusement park or visiting the ice-cream parlor.

You will find some episodes in the YouTube channel linked above, usually compiled into hour-long videos. However, many of the shorter videos feature original stop-motion animation of Caillou and his family and friends, created by WildBrain.

Even though Caillou is four years old, you will realize his family talks to him as if he were an adult. Because of this, it would be good to already know a little bit of Spanish before watching this.

3. “Muzzy”

“Muzzy” is a language program for kids created by the BBC, and it can be yours for as little as $4.12 a month!

Muzzy is a giant, lovely alien who wants everybody to learn new languages. He will start teaching you basic vocabulary and adding more and more words along the way. The program uses the immersion approach and focuses on repetition and practice in order for you to remember the new words.

The course includes many features that can be used on many different platforms: a website and an app, online games, learning movies, songs, vocabulary builders, printable activities and even an online language recording studio so that you can record your own voice!

If what you want is to learn Spanish vocabulary like a kid would, this is your program.

4. “Bob Esponja” (“Spongebob Squarepants”)

Who doesn’t know Spongebob, the sponge that lives under the sea in a pineapple?

I confess Spongebob is one of my guilty pleasures. I find this cartoon hilarious, and it has helped me a lot while learning Polish.

Spongebob is not specifically created to teach Spanish to kids, so the level can be considered upper-intermediate to advanced. However, you can switch on the subtitles and get submerged (literally) in a sea of silly and funny adventures that will catch you by surprise time and time again.

Make your Spanish shine like a diamond with Bob, Patricio and Calamardo. You will thank me later!

As a nice bonus, the channel linked above is the official Spanish-language account of Nickelodeon, where you can watch clips from “Bob Esponja” episodes (or sometimes even watch live streamed episodes!) as well as clips from other classic kid toons from the channel in Spanish.

For a quick lesson following an episode of “Spongebob” and learning Spanish with a native speaker, check out this video on YouTube. 

5. “Oh, Noah!”

I think all of us have been a Noah at some time in our lives, so I am sure he will be very relatable to you.

Noah is a nine-year-old boy who is visiting his grandma in a place where everybody speaks Spanish except for him.

We all make mistakes, and Noah is the first one to admit it! By using the trial-and-error technique, he tries to learn the language and improve his skills with the help of the people around him, who have a lot of fun with him.

If you choose to watch this cartoon, you will learn basic Spanish everyday-life vocabulary along with Noah, who will make mistakes himself so that you do not have to.

6. “Minimalitos” (“Minimals”)

“Minimalitos” is an animated series for little kids who are learning Spanish.

Created in Argentina, it presents stories and adventures with the help of different animals who get along just great, in an attempt to make children understand the importance of accepting our differences and loving each other no matter what. 

These videos are all available for free on the Pakapaka YouTube channel. Additionally, you can download the app, play games, read, sing songs or do the proposed activities.

Get ready to learn about rainbows, stomach-aches, families, birthdays and attending school.

7. “Los Lunnis de leyenda” (“Legend Lunnis”)

I was introduced to the “Lunnis” by my 2-year-old nephew and, surprisingly enough, I got so impressed and hooked that I watched the first two seasons in one sitting with him.

“Lunnis de Leyenda” is a great way to learn about history and its main characters through songs. Let Lucrecia and the Lunnis teach you about Gaudí, Cervantes, Don Quijote de la Mancha, Isaac Newton and Marie Curie and sing along while you discover interesting world facts you may have not heard before.

Even though the series was created for little kids, it is not a program specifically developed to teach Spanish, so the language might be a little bit difficult at the beginning. However, the songs are so catchy that you will be singing them by heart in the blink of an eye, so do not worry if you do not understand everything at the beginning!

If you watch the episodes on RTVE’s official website, you will also have the option of using Spanish subtitles to assist your learning.

8. “PJ Masks”

Connor, Amaya and Greg are three little superheroes who are constantly trying to save the world at night while living a normal life during the day.

It is a great cartoon if you want to learn Spanish vocabulary related to being a good person in general. Each episode tackles a topic related to human behavior and what you can do to be a good example. You will not only learn Spanish but also learn to be a model citizen!

Be a hero and help the PJ Masks fight crime and teach you a lesson or two.

9. “La patrulla canina” (“Paw Patrol”)

Do you like puppies? Do you like being a good person?

Then you will love puppies teaching you—in Spanish!—how to be a good person.

“La patrulla canina” is literally a puppy patrol that is always helping those in need. The pups teach kids that it is important to help other people and be kind to everyone, even if they are “different.”

These cute puppies are awesomely skilled and will surprise you with their tricks every episode. They use a language that three- and four-year-olds can understand easily, so it should not be very difficult if you already have a little background in Spanish vocabulary.

Linked above is the official Nick Jr. channel, which uploads clips and, sometimes, full episodes of their shows. Search their video content for a title in Spanish to see clips from cartoons beyond “La patrulla canina.”

10. “Dinopaka”

From the creators of “Minimalitos,” if dinosaurs are your thing, you cannot miss this cartoon!

“Dinopaka” tells the story of Felipe, an Argentinian teenager who gets a strange computer as a present. The computer allows him to travel inside a prehistoric game, where he is surrounded by dinosaurs. Each episode teaches him one aspect of the lives of these big animals, from how they feed to how they are born.

It is an amazing cartoon if you are a fan of the “Jurassic Park” saga and want to learn anything and everything about dinos in Spanish!

11. “Minieinsteins” (“Little Einsteins”)

The Minieinsteins are four super-bright children who will help you discover classical music, art and photography while you learn Spanish.

Each episode is packed with amazing visuals and wonderful music, which are used to teach lessons on how to work as a team. The cartoons are interactive and try to engage children in helping to solve problems (much like “Dora the Explorer” does) and accomplishing different missions.

If you do not have Disney Junior, you can always go to YouTube and search for “Minieinsteins.” Get ready to learn everything from parts of the body to musical instruments and sea animals with this cute and creative cartoon based on songs and repetitions of words.

Do not forget to shout misión cumpida (mission accomplished!) at the end of each episode!

12. “Kazoops!”

I did not know about the existence of “Kazoops!” until I started doing research for this post, but as soon as I watched a couple of episodes, I fell in love with the concept.

“Kazoops!” tells the story of Monty Kazoop and his pet pig and best friend, Jimmy Jones. In each episode, they are presented with a preconception, a way of how we adults look at the world through our adult eyes.

Monty and Jimmy then go on an imaginary adventure to learn more about that preconception and try to understand it through the eyes of a six-year-old, reaching funny conclusions that will make you see the world around you in a completely different way.

If you want to know what kids really think (in Spanish!) about birthday presents, keeping secrets or being different, do not miss this amazing cartoon.

You can change both the language and subtitles on Netflix to Spanish to enjoy maximum learning from this show, recommended for intermediate to more advanced learners!

13. “Masha y el oso” (“Masha and the Bear”)

Do you feel like watching a little girl and her bear discover the world? I’ve got you covered!

In this cartoon, originally in Russian, Masha is a sweet, curious girl who goes everywhere with her friend, Oso (a.k.a. Bear).

This unusual friendship is actually a metaphor for a little kid and an adult, and how adults can help little children understand the world around them. (And how sometimes, just sometimes, kids can drive adults crazy—but we still love them!)

The show deals with topics like friendship, love, creativity, music, food, painting and more. Dialogue is minimal, so this is a great way to learn basic Spanish vocabulary for absolute beginners… with a twist! Plus, each episode is only about seven minutes long, so you can definitely find time for it in your schedule, no matter how busy you are.

“Masha and the Bear” is also available on Netflix with Spanish dubbing.

You can also access clips of this cartoon in Spanish on YouTube. 

14. “El pájaro loco” (“Woody Woodpecker”)

“El pájaro loco” (literally: “The Crazy Bird”) is one of my all-time favorite cartoons. Although I used to watch the old episodes created in the 60s and 70s, what I am suggesting you watch is the new version, created between 1999 and 2002.

The remake is unambiguously a throwback to the original series. This means you will see stereotypes galore, mild violence and injuries that disappear magically from one scene to the next.

However, if you do not mind the occasional weapon or bomb, the crazy bear Cupid, who attacks his victims with an arrow machine gun, missiles and a lot of aliens, I am sure you will learn plenty of advanced Spanish with this cartoon.

No wonder we call it “The Crazy Bird” in Spanish!

15. “Pororo el pequeño pingüino” (“Pororo the Little Penguin”)

Pororo is a little penguin who lives on a snowy island with his friends Poby the bear, Loppy the beaver, Eddy the fox, Crong the dinosaur and a few other fun characters.

Each of them has a unique personality and traits that help them step up in specific situations. Together, they try to solve the everyday problems they find on the island and do their best to support each other, despite their differences.

The episodes are around five minutes long, which makes them perfect for little bites of Spanish vocabulary when you have some free time. You can also find the show on Netflix (just turn on Spanish dubbing to enjoy the learning benefits!).

You are going to love naughty Pororo and his friends while you learn about friendship and positivity (there is always a happy ending and a short, positive message for the viewers at the end of each episode).

16. “Los Simpson” (“The Simpsons”)

Perhaps one of the most famous cartoons on this list, “The Simpsons,” or “Los Simpson” in Spanish, is a must-watch for Spanish learners of all ages!

This cartoon tells the story of the Simpson family and their life in a fictional town called Springfield. This funny cartoon follows the characters’ daily lives, Bart’s pranks and Homer’s mishaps, as well as introduces us to the lives of other people who also live in Springfield.

With 35 seasons and over 700 episodes created since it was first aired in 1989, you’re sure to find plenty of episodes available online!

One of the easiest ways to watch this cartoon is by searching “Los Simpsons en español” (The Simpsons in Spanish) on YouTube, where you’ll find plenty of clips from this cartoon dubbed in Spanish.

You can also access this cartoon in Spanish on Disney+ and Hulu. Or you could take a look at DVDs and box sets of “The Simpsons” with Spanish dubbing and subtitle options on Amazon.

Check out our post about learning Spanish with “The Simpsons” for learning tips as well as clips from this cartoon. You could also check out this video to learn Spanish by watching “Los Simpson” with a native Spanish speaker!

17. “Dora la Exploradora” (“Dora the Explorer”) 

“Dora la Exploradora” is a cartoon that follows the adventures of Dora, a seven-year-old Latina girl, and her best friend Boots (Botas in Spanish). 

While this cartoon is aimed at younger children, it’s a great resource for Spanish learners of all ages who are at an early stage of their language learning journey.

Beginners will be able to hear Dora and her friends use Spanish in context as well as learn key words and phrases through repetition in songs and speech.

Check out the channel Nick Jr. en Español on YouTube where you’ll be able to find “Dora la Exploradora” as well as tons of other fun cartoons suitable for beginners to intermediate Spanish learners.

18. “Santiago de los mares” (“Santiago of the Seas”)

If you love the Caribbean Sea, beautiful scenery and wildlife combined with adventure, you’re sure to love this cartoon!

“Santiago de los mares” (“Santiago of the Seas”) tells the story of eight-year-old Santiago and his friends who go on adventures on their ship and work together to look after their island and the Caribbean Sea.  

Each episode is around 10-22 minutes long, meaning that this cartoon is great for a quick study session! 

You can find “Santiago de los mares” on Netflix or on the Nick Jr. en Español YouTube channel by searching “Santiago de los mares” on YouTube.

19. “Bluey”

Is there anything cuter than a cartoon made up entirely of dogs?

This Australian cartoon shows the life of Bluey and her family. Not only is this cartoon heartwarming and family-oriented, but you’ll also get to pick up some useful Spanish vocabulary.

If you’d like to watch more of this charming cartoon, you can watch short clips of “Bluey” in Spanish on the Disney Junior España YouTube channel or full episodes on Disney+. 

20. “Scooby-Doo!” 

Compared to the cartoon listed above, the speed of conversation in “Scooby-Doo!” is a little faster, however, it’s a great resource for Spanish learners to immerse themselves in the language and see new vocabulary used in context.

In this action-packed cartoon, four best friends and their talking dog, Scooby-Doo, work together to solve mysteries.

If you access this cartoon on WB Kids Latino on YouTube, you’ll be able to add auto-generated subtitles. Even though these may not be the most accurate, they are useful to aid your learning if needed.

21. “Dino Ranch”

Imagine a Wild West show, but the horses are dinosaurs! That’s what this cartoon is like!

“Dino Ranch” is a cartoon that shows the life of a family on a ranch with dinosaurs. If you’re a fan of dinosaurs then this cartoon is a must-watch! These cute dinosaurs will provide you with great entertainment as you learn Spanish!

On the YouTube channel called Dino Ranch Español, you’ll be able to find tons of clips from this entertaining cartoon! You can also access it on Disney+.

22. “Sheriff Labrador”

Do you like cartoons that teach important lessons? If so, this cartoon is a great choice!

Sheriff Labrador is the sheriff of Forest Town, and together with Officer Doberman, they protect the town and those who live there from crime and any other trouble the people may face.

Every episode finds a fun and creative way to teach an important lesson, such as being cautious of strangers, taking care when crossing the road, and more!

If you’re interested in watching more episodes of this cartoon, you can access them on YouTube.

23.  “Mickey Mouse Funhouse”

This whimsical cartoon shows animated favorites Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their loveable friends and their adventures with the magical talking playhouse called Funny.

While you can access full episodes of “Mickey Mouse Funhouse” on Disney+, you can also watch short and entertaining clips on the Disney Latinoamérica YouTube channel. The clips that are available on YouTube are around three minutes long, making them ideal for a quick study session or when traveling.

24. “Alicia en su maravillosa pastelería” (“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery”)

If you recognize the name of this cartoon, then you’re right! This cartoon is inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” book and movie.

“Alicia en su maravillosa pastelería” (“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery”) shows the story of Alice, the great-granddaughter of the first Alice from the famous book, and her bakery in Wonderland.

Alice is accompanied by her friends at the bakery, and the cartoon follows their culinary adventures. This means this is a great option if you want to pick up some baking related vocabulary.

You can watch full episodes of “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” on Disney+ with Spanish dubbing, or shorter clips on YouTube on the Disney Junior España YouTube channel.

25. “Star Wars: las aventuras de los jóvenes Jedi” (“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures”)

Inspired by another popular movie, “Star Wars: las aventuras de los jóvenes Jedi” (“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures”) is a cartoon that follows a group of young people as they train and go on adventures with the goal of becoming Jedis. 

There are plenty of short clips of this cartoon available on YouTube, all ranging from two to three minutes long. A great way to use these clips on YouTube is by first watching the short clip without subtitles to challenge yourself and see how much you can understand before watching it a second time with auto-generated subtitles to focus on the vocabulary used in the clip.

If you’d like to watch more, check out episodes of this cartoon with Spanish dubbing on Disney+.

26. “Marvel Spidey y su superequipo” (“Spidey and His Amazing Friends”)

If you’re a fan of Marvel or anything related to superheroes, then this cartoon is a must-watch! Not only will you get to watch superheroes in action, but you’ll also practice your Spanish! Perfect, right?

In this cartoon, the young Spidey and his fellow superhero friends, Spin and Ghost-Spider, work together to fight against villains and protect their city from crime.

You can watch short clips of this cartoon on YouTube or full episodes on Disney+. 

Note that “Marvel Spidey y su superequipo” is the name of this cartoon in Spain, while in Latin America it is called “Spidey y sus sorprendentes amigos.”

27. “¡Eureka!” (“Eureka!”)

Eureka is the protagonist of this cartoon set in prehistoric times. In every episode, Eureka tries to find new ways and invent new tools to help her family and those around her have an easier life.

“¡Eureka!” is a great cartoon to use to learn and listen to Spanish vocabulary used in context through conversations and songs! 

If you’d like to watch more of Eureka’s creative inventions, you can watch short clips lasting around three to four minutes on Disney Junior España’s YouTube channel, or you can find full episodes on Disney+.

28. “Phineas y Ferb” (“Phineas and Ferb”)

“Phineas and Ferb” is a popular American cartoon about the summer vacation of two stepbrothers, Phineas and Ferb. 

Phineas and Ferb come up with ideas, projects and different adventures they can have to fill their time off school during the summer. These ideas are often crazy and discovered by Phineas’ older sister Candace, who always goes to tell their mom and get them in trouble, however, she’s never able to prove it.

You can access some short clips of this cartoon on YouTube by searching “Phineas y Ferb en español” (Phineas and Ferb in Spanish) or you can access full episodes on Disney+ with Spanish dubbing.

29. “¡Viva el rey Julien!” (“All Hail King Julien”)

If you’ve watched the popular movie “Madagascar,” then you’ll likely recognize the main protagonist of this cartoon, King Julien.

In “Madagascar,” King Julien is already in power, so this cartoon tells the story of how he became the king, the difficulty he had adapting to this role due to his mischievous nature and the troubles he faces.

If you’re interested in watching this cartoon, you can find some clips on the DreamWorks Madagascar en Español YouTube channel or watch it on Netflix with Spanish dubbing.

Note that in Latin America, this cartoon is called “Viva el rey Julien,” however in Spain, it is commonly referred to as “Larga vida al rey Julien.” 

30. “Talking Tom & Friends”

“Talking Tom and Friends” is a funny cartoon based on the cat “Tom” and his friends from the series of famous “Talking Tom” apps, that follows the daily lives of Tom and his friends as they go on adventures.

You’ll be able to pick up a ton of vocabulary by watching this cartoon as “Talking Tom and Friends” is aimed towards older children and adults, rather than very young children. The subtitle options are useful as they can help you continue 

You can find an array of clips from the cartoon on the Talking Tom & Friends Español YouTube channel. 

31. “Maya y los tres” (“Maya and the Three”) 

Are you interested in Mexico and Mesoamerica? While “Maya y los tres” (“Maya and the Three”) isn’t an educational nor a historical show detailing real events, it is a fascinating cartoon set in prehispanic Mesoamerica.

With the help of three warriors, Maya, a 15-year-old princess, must save Mesoamerica from the gods who are threatening the survival of humanity. 

Not only will you be immersed in the culture and events of this cartoon, but you’ll also learn a lot of Spanish vocabulary in the process!

One thing you’ll notice when watching this cartoon is the incredible soundtrack! Try listening to the catchy song “Si Debe Ser, Es Mi Deber” (“If it must be, it is my duty”) featured in this cartoon to practice your listening and pronunciation skills.

This cartoon is available to watch with Spanish subtitles and dubbing on Netflix. 

Learning Spanish with Cartoons

Why Learn Spanish with Cartoons?

When we hear the word “cartoons,” we imagine kids glued to the TV watching their favorite shows. But that does not have to apply to us, does it?

Learning Spanish with the help of cartoons, even when you are not a child anymore, can be not only effective but also fun!

There are probably dozens of reasons why using cartoons to improve your Spanish is the way to go, but in case you need some convincing, here are just a few:

• You will learn naturally. Just as babies and kids learn from listening to their parents and paying attention to their environment, you will absorb new Spanish naturally. Cartoons are very efficient when it comes to teaching new concepts to little kids, and if kids are able to understand cartoons, don’t you think you would be, too?
• The language is easy. Cartoons use very easy-to-understand language. Remember that they are specifically made to teach kids! Having music, drawings, pictures and descriptions added to the words you are listening to will only make them even easier to understand.
• You will have fun learning without needing to invest too much time. Watching cartoons can be a fun experience! I love watching cartoons with my little nephew and listening to his “explanations” alongside.
• They are specifically created to teach. The vast majority of cartoons out there are created specifically with babies and kids in mind. This means that each episode will repeat new concepts time and time again and in very small doses, so you can really absorb everything.

How to Use Cartoons to Learn Spanish

The theory is simple: You watch cartoons in Spanish, learn new words and expressions and then use them in your life.

The practice, surprisingly, is also that simple! Just press play on one of the episodes of the cartoons included in this list, watch it a couple of times until you are sure you have understood it and then move on!

You can take notes along the way, pause in order to search for grammar concepts you may need to polish up, create your own flashcards with the new words you have learned… The possibilities are almost limitless.

It is also very possible that some of the cartoons will have the option of switching on Spanish subtitles. If so, do not hesitate to do it. You will read and listen to the same words at the same time, which will make the process even easier and faster altogether.

To facilitate the above strategies, you can seek out a language learning program that uses authentic videos (including cartoons) as source materials for their lessons—there are quite a few modern options like this out there. For example, the language learning website and app FluentU bases its Spanish lessons on authentic videos paired with extra learning aids.

 

And that is all for today, my big kids.

As you can see, you do not have to be a toddler in order to enjoy some cartoons while you learn the language you love.

We all have a bit of a kid inside of us, and what better way to make them happy than learning Spanish with fun cartoons and reminiscing about our childhood?

Get your popcorn, take a seat and enjoy the show. In Spanish, of course!

Stay curious, my friends, and as always, happy learning.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)