German websites for DCs 6 and 2

[gabid]

My DCs are German/English bilingual and I would like to keep that up as best as I can. Can you recommend any German websites, films, games etc. that would be suitable for them?

They love Die Sendung mit der Maus, KIKA TV I don't seem to be able to receive, ... any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Gabid, I'm sure I've posted this info several times in the past, but it will be buried in threads that I can't locate myself.

• There's a kids' radio station based in Berlin called Radio Teddy - age group 3-10, also available via Internet, digital radio or Astra satellite. Lots of kids' songs in German as well. The Berlin accents of the presenters might grate, though. We've banned it at home but have it on in the car.

• The KiKa website is great, but also ZDFtivi.de. DD2's favourite site is PurPlus, based on the TV programme - there are lots of old programmes and features in the archive. They also love Wissen macht ah!, which your older DC might just about want to watch.

The kids also like: Eins, Zwei oder drei and used to like Tabaluga (v. suitable for your two).

Do you have a Saturday School near you?

Can you book a holiday in Germany/Austria in an area where very few British tourists know about, and then get them on activities with other kids of the same age? This will motivate them to use the German they have passively learned. A good sign that there are few international tourists is if the website has no English translation.

Films, hmmm. There are several films of Lauras Stern - we have one on video. That's good harmless fun for that age group.

The Bibi Blocksberg films would be good for your 6 yo but a bit too complex for 2 yo.

My DDs are a bit older, but they love books and films by Cornelia Funke - Wilden Hühner, Hände Weg von Mississippi.

The Petersson und Findus series are just wonderful, both books and films, but I don't know if the films are originally German.

Viel Erfolg!

Thanks, that's great! I will explore some of these suggestions.

My children really like the toggolino website (www.toggolino.de). I think it's something like 20 EUR a year, but defninitely worth it!
Beware of Caillou teaching you English, though. I have had my DS shouting at the screen that tomato is NOT tom-ay-do but tom-ah-to!