Bilingual Busy Book – Printable Activities in Cantonese, Jyutping & English
I’m so excited to share this Cantonese activity book with you—created at the request of another parent in our community! This book is designed for little learners and it’s packed with essential first words in Cantonese. Unlike a one-time workbook, this is an interactive resource your child can revisit again and again, helping them learn through repetition, play, and consistency—the way kids learn best.
If you’ve seen English versions of “busy books” or “learning binders,” this is the Cantonese equivalent. Each page works like a puzzle: children match pieces to the right spot using clues like color coding, outlines, and silhouettes, which allow them to practice independently. Every piece is paired with its corresponding Chinese character, chosen specifically for spoken Cantonese so kids can actually use the words in conversation.
To make it even easier for families, Jyutping is included for parents who don’t read Chinese. With this activity book, you and your child can make Cantonese learning fun, interactive, and part of your daily life.
Beyond the matching activities, this book also gives your child a gentle introduction to writing Chinese. Inside, you’ll find two special pages that introduce the eight most common Chinese strokes—the building blocks of most Chinese characters. Instead of just copying lines, your child will practice in a fun and creative way, like completing pictures as they trace the strokes.
The Chinese number page goes a step further by showing a color-coded stroke order, helping kids understand not just how to write, but also the importance of sequence in Chinese characters. And one of my favorite activities—the big 車 (car) page—lets your child “drive” toy cars along the strokes, following the proper order as they go. It turns writing practice into play, making it something kids will look forward to instead of avoid.
This activity book covers a range of topics, including:
- Numbers
- Shapes
- Colours
- Emotions
- 12 Zodiac Animals
- Kitchenware
- Time
- Music
- Calendar, weather, seasons
- Emergency and construction vehicles
- Chinese strokes and character symmetry
How to Construct the Book
There are many ways to put this activity book together, and you can absolutely adapt the process to fit your family’s needs. The trickiest part is cutting out the pieces, but don’t feel pressured to do it all at once! Start small—choose the main pages you want your child to learn first. As your child begins to master those words, you can add more pages and pieces. This way, you’ll both enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
What You’ll Need
- Adobe Reader (free download: http://get.adobe.com/reader/)
- Colour printer
- White paper or cardstock
- Laminator + laminating pouches (or self-laminating sheets as an alternative)
- Clear Velcro dots (hook and loop)
- Paper fasteners (brads/split pins)
- Scissors
- Ring binder
- Dry-erase or washable markers
(Tip: If you don’t have a printer or laminator, many libraries, pharmacies, or office/courier stores offer printing and laminating services.)
Assembly Steps
- Print the pages in colour.
- Laminate the pages for durability (you can laminate first, then cut, or cut first, laminate, and cut again).
- Cut out the pieces. You can cut close to the image or leave extra space for easier handling.
- Attach Velcro dots so your child can stick and unstick pieces easily. Use clear Velcro so the words and images stay visible.
- Set up movable parts (like the clock hands) by punching small holes and securing them with fasteners.
- Insert everything into a ring binder for easy use.
- Use markers for any writing or tracing activities.
NEW*** Mattify your laminated sheets with Mod Podge Matte Sealer. I used 2 to 3 coats of the Mod Podge Matte Clear Acrylic Sealer and it removed the glare creating easier visibility.
Tips for Using the Book with Your Child
- Choose a calm, clutter-free space and a time when your child is well-rested.
- Work through one page at a time—slow and steady is best!
- Present the pieces in a tray or directly in the binder. Encourage your child to peel and place the pieces themselves (great for fine motor skills).
- Model the vocabulary: point to a piece, say the word in Cantonese (with Jyutping provided for support), and invite your child to repeat after you.
- Let your child lead—encourage independence, but gently offer the word if they don’t say it.
- Embrace repetition! Kids love doing the same page multiple times, and it’s how they learn best.
Alternatives
- Simple option: Use sheet protectors instead of laminating (best for full-page use, not small pieces).
- One-time activity: Skip the Velcro and turn the book into a cut-and-paste project. Once finished, it becomes a keepsake book.
📘 You can purchase My First Bilingual Busy Book 快樂學習廣東話 (Cantonese) in traditional with Jyutping on my ETSY shop.
🖼️ Looking for something simpler? Check out the First Words Poster—a print-and-display version that transforms your home into a print-rich learning space. Available in Cantonese and Mandarin.
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