10 Best Chinese Cartoons for Kids to Learn Chinese [2026 Update]

Chinese cartoons have been entertaining kids for decades, and with the increasing popularity of streaming services, there are more options than ever before. From classic tales to educational shows, Chinese animation offers a diverse range of content for children to enjoy. In this article, we will take a look at 10 of the best Chinese cartoons that are sure to captivate and educate young viewers.

Whether you’re a parent or a teacher looking for quality content for your kids, keep reading to discover some of the most exciting Chinese cartoons available now! Also, you can further learn about Chinese movies for kids to help your child’s immersive entry point into Chinese language and culture!

What Are the Most Popular Chinese Cartoons?

Over the years, Chinese cartoons have gained a huge following both in China and abroad. With colorful animation, engaging storylines, and valuable lessons, these shows have become a favorite among children of all ages. Some of the most popular Chinese cartoons include:

Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child

Main Plot:
Nezha tells the story of a brave young boy born with extraordinary powers, who battles demons and evil forces while learning about responsibility, family, and destiny. The film blends action, humor, and traditional Chinese mythology to create a captivating story for children and families.

Main Characters:

• Nezha (哪吒): A courageous and spirited young hero with magical abilities
• Li Jing (李靖): Nezha’s father, a general who guides and protects him
• Ao Bing (敖丙): A dragon prince who becomes Nezha’s friend and ally

Language Learning Benefits:
The dialogue uses a mix of everyday Mandarin and story-specific vocabulary, including action words (fight, run, protect), emotions (angry, sad, happy), and cultural terms from Chinese mythology. By watching and listening, children can improve their listening comprehension, learn high-frequency words, and pick up sentence structures in context while enjoying an engaging story.

Boonie Bears 《熊出没》

Boonie Bears

Chinese name： 《熊出没》

Pinyin： Xióng Chū Mò

One of the most beloved Chinese cartoons, Boonie Bears follows the adventures of two bear brothers, Briar and Bramble. Living in the forest, they constantly clash with Logger Vick who wants to destroy their home. This heartwarming series teaches kids about friendship, teamwork, and protecting the environment.

Main Characters:

• Briar: The smart and clever older bear
• Bramble: The playful and funny younger bear
• Logger Vick: The clumsy lumberjack

Language Learning Benefits:
The dialogue is simple and repetitive, covering everyday words and nature-related vocabulary such as “tree,” “bear,” and “run.” Children can follow the characters’ interactions to learn basic sentence structures and pronunciation while understanding words in context.

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 《喜羊羊与灰太狼》

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf

Chinese name： 《喜羊羊与灰太狼》

Pinyin： Xǐ Yáng Yáng yǔ Huī Tài Láng

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf is a long-running Chinese cartoon that has gained immense popularity since its debut in 2005. This comedic series follows the adventures of a group of goats who constantly outsmart the villainous wolf, Wululu. With lovable characters and funny storylines, this show teaches kids about bravery, friendship, and standing up to bullies.

Main Characters:

• Xǐ Yáng Yáng: The clever and brave goat
• Huī Tài Láng: The comical but often failing wolf
• Other goat friends: Slow Goat, Beautiful Goat, and more

Language Learning Benefits:
Short, lively dialogues frequently use action and emotion words like “eat,” “run,” and “laugh.” Kids can naturally memorize high-frequency words while enjoying the humor and interactions between the goats and the wolf.

Super Wings 《超级飞侠》

Super Wings

Chinese name： 《超级飞侠》

Pinyin： Chāo Jí Fēi Xiá

Super Wings is a Chinese-Korean animated series that follows the adventures of Jett, a friendly airplane who travels around the world delivering packages to children. Along with his team of transforming planes, Super Wings teaches kids about different cultures and the importance of helping others. With exciting missions and catchy songs, this show has become a favorite among young viewers.

Main Characters:

• Jett: The helpful and brave little airplane
• Other flying friends: Dizzy, Donnie, Jerome

Language Learning Benefits:
The series uses clear, simple phrases with frequent repetition of action words, place names, and helpful expressions. Children can connect words to actions and contexts, which supports listening comprehension and vocabulary retention.

Legend of Qin 《秦时明月》

Legend of Qin

Chinese name：《秦时明月》

Pinyin： Qín Shí Míng Yuè

Based on a popular Chinese myth, Legend of Qin is an epic animated series that follows the journey of a young swordsman who must protect his kingdom from dark forces. Along with action-packed battles, this show also teaches kids about bravery, loyalty, and perseverance. With its stunning animation and captivating plot, Legend of Qin is a must-watch for fans of fantasy and adventure.

Main Characters:

• Goujian: A brave and upright young swordsman

• Other characters: Mo family disciples, opposing forces

Language Learning Benefits:
The language is slightly more advanced, introducing vocabulary about history, actions, and character qualities such as “sword,” “bravery,” and “loyalty.” This show is best for children with some Mandarin foundation, helping expand vocabulary and understand more complex sentence structures.

The Legend of Hei 《罗小黑战记》

The Legend of Luo Hei

Chinese name:《罗小黑战记》

Pinyin: Luó Xiǎo Hēi Zhàn Jì

“Luó Xiǎo Hēi Zhàn Jì” (The Legend of Hei) is an animated project created by mainland Chinese independent animator MTJJ and his studio. It first launched as a web series, followed by a successful animated film. Known for its fresh and heartwarming art style, the story follows the adventures of a young cat demon named Luo Xiaohei. It explores themes of harmony between humans, demons, and nature, garnering a massive fanbase across all age groups.

Main Characters:

• Luó Xiǎo Hēi: A gentle and curious little spirit

• Other animal friends: Xiao Bai, Xiao Hui, and more

Language Learning Benefits:
The dialogue is natural and everyday, with simple, repetitive words like “friend,” “home,” and “play.” Kids can improve word recognition and listening comprehension through cute characters and relatable daily scenarios.

GG Bond 《猪猪侠》

GG Bond

Chinese name:《猪猪侠》

Pinyin: (Zhū Zhū Xiá)

“Zhu Zhu Xia” (GG Bond) is a long-running Chinese animated series produced by Yongsheng Animation. It primarily follows the adventures of a brave, witty, and justice-seeking anthropomorphic pig named GG Bond. Often involving time travel, sci-fi elements, and kung fu, the series focuses on themes of friendship, courage, and protecting peace. It is a very popular franchise among younger children in China.

Main Characters:

• GG Bond: A clever and brave little pig

• Friends: Miaomiao, Lele, and others

Language Learning Benefits:
The language is lighthearted and fun, with repeated use of colors, actions, and emotion words. Children can naturally absorb basic Mandarin vocabulary while following exciting adventure stories.

What are cartoons called in China?

Chinese cartoons, also known as “donghua” (动画) or “manhua” (漫画), are a popular form of animation created and produced in China. These animated shows feature a variety of themes and genres, from educational children’s programs to action-packed adventures for older audiences. In recent years, Chinese cartoons have gained global recognition and popularity, with many shows being dubbed and exported to other countries.

The term “donghua” is also often used as a collective name for Chinese animation, including both animated series and feature films. With its unique style and cultural influences, Chinese cartoons continue to captivate viewers of all ages around the world.  So, this is why it’s essential for children to watch these captivating shows and learn about Chinese culture while being entertained.

How and Where to Watch Chinese Cartoons Online?

Nowadays, with the rise of streaming services and online platforms, it has become easier than ever to access Chinese cartoons online. One popular option is to subscribe to a streaming service that offers a wide selection of Chinese cartoons, such as iQIYI or Tencent Video. These platforms allow users to watch their favorite shows on demand, often with English subtitles available.

For those who prefer a more traditional approach, many Chinese cartoons can also be found on DVD or Blu-ray. Additionally, some channels on cable or satellite television may also air Chinese animated shows.

Another popular option is to watch Chinese cartoons for free on various websites and apps, such as Bilibili or You ku. These platforms offer a vast library of Chinese cartoons, both old and new, for viewers to enjoy without any subscription fees.

FAQs

Summary

Chinese cartoons, also known as “donghua” or “manhua”, are a popular form of animation in China. These shows incorporate traditional Chinese culture and teach valuable lessons about friendship and perseverance. They are visually appealing and serve as positive role models for children. Chinese cartoons can be watched online through streaming services, on DVD, or for free on certain websites and apps. Parents should research and monitor their child’s viewing choices to ensure they are age-appropriate. If you’re looking for high-quality online Chinese classes for kids, WuKong Chinese offers age-appropriate lessons led by native speakers with a deep understanding of the Chinese language and culture.

Bella | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree from Yangzhou University. Possessing 10 years of experience in K-12 Chinese language teaching and research, with over 10 published papers in teh field of language and literature. Currently responsible for teh research and production of “WuKong Chinese” major courses, particularly focusing on teh course’s interest, expansiveness, and its impact on students’ thinking development. She also dedicated to helping children acquire a stronger foundation in Chinese language learning, including Chinese characters, phonetics (pinyin), vocabulary, idioms, classic stories, and Chinese culture. Our Chinese language courses for academic advancement aim to provide children with a wealth of noledge and a deeper understanding of Chinese language skills.