Bilingual Everyday Activities: Fun Ways to Teach Filipino While Coloring, Cooking, and Playing

Teaching your toddler Filipino doesn’t have to mean sitting them down for “lessons.” Some of the best learning happens during everyday activities — and the best part? You don’t need to prep anything!

These are words and phrases we use almost every day in our household, so it’s easy to sprinkle them into routines while having fun. Even busy moms can do this while juggling dishes, laundry, and snack time!

Here’s a list of simple activities you can try at home:

1. Coloring and Drawing

• What to do: While your child colors, point out objects and colors in Tagalog.

• Words to try: Pula (red), Asul (blue), Dilaw (yellow), Bahay (house), Aso (dog), Pusa (cat).

• Phrase ideas:

  • "Anong kulay ito?" (What color is this?)

  • "Kulayan natin ang pusa ng pula!" (Let’s color the cat red!)

• Extra tip: Ask your child to tell you the color in Tagalog. Even if it’s just repeating, it counts!

2. Cooking Together

• What to do: Let toddlers help with safe tasks: stirring, pouring, washing vegetables.

• Words to try: Gatas (milk), Kan-in (rice), Isda (fish), Prutas (fruit), Tinapay (bread).

• Phrase ideas:

  • "Tulungan mo si Mama maghalo ng kanin." (Help Mama stir the rice.)

  • "Gusto mo ba ng prutas?" (Do you want some fruit?)

• Extra tip: Singing a short Filipino song while cooking can make it extra fun

3. Bath Time

• What to do: Turn bath time into a mini Tagalog lesson by naming body parts.

• Words to try: Ulo (head), Kamay (hand), Paa (foot), Tenga (ear), Ilong (nose).

• Phrase ideas:

  • "Hugasin natin ang kamay." (Let’s wash your hands.)

  • "Ilagay mo ang paa sa tubig." (Put your foot in the water.)

• Extra tip: Play Sampung Mga Daliri or other short nursery rhymes while bathing for extra repetition.

4. Playtime & Toys

• What to do: Use Tagalog words during pretend play, building blocks, or toy animals.

• Words to try: Takbo (run), Sipa (kick), Hagis (throw), Laro (play), Bahay kubo (nipa hut).

• Phrase ideas:

  • "Laro tayo ng bahay kubo!" (Let’s play bahay kubo!)

  • "Anong gagawin mo sa manika?" (What will you do with the doll?)

5. Outdoor Activities

• What to do: Turn a walk or park trip into a language lesson.

• Words to try: Puno (tree), Ibon (bird), Bulaklak (flower), Araw (sun), Buwan (moon).

• Phrase ideas:

  • "Kita mo ang ibon?" (Do you see the bird?)

  • "Halika, puntahan natin ang puno." (Come, let’s go to the tree.)

💡 Tip for Busy Moms:

• Keep it natural — no pressure for perfection.

• Repeat words often — toddlers learn through hearing, not memorizing.

• Use songs, rhymes, and playful phrases to make learning stick.

• Turn chores and routines into language moments — yes, even folding laundry counts!

👉 Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @piwimamacreations for more bilingual parenting tips and resources.

👶 And join our Filipino Bilingual Parenting Group for extra support, ideas, and a fun community of parents raising bilingual kids!