Finding quality Chinese content for kids can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of videos on YouTube, and many are intentionally designed to be addictive, like the viral “brainrot” clips. As a bilingual parent, I know there is great educational content out there, but it can be hard to filter through all the overstimulating noise.
Today, I’m featuring Long Long Tales 龙龙故事, created by Jen Loong-Goodwin, a Chinese-Canadian therapist mama who recently launched her YouTube channel. She creates short cartoons in Mandarin and English that are rich in culture and designed to support real emotional connection. She also shares her favorite Chinese YouTube channels for kids ages 3 to 10.
Why Watch Long Long Tales
This isn’t typical YouTube content. It’s a passion project by a mama who couldn’t find what she needed for her own child: emotionally mindful Chinese content that celebrates culture without overwhelming diaspora kids.
Captivating graphics (but still low stimulation)
Long Long Tales uses bright, modern, AI-generated visuals that feel engaging without being overstimulating. It’s the kind of screen time that holds kids’ attention without leaving them wired afterward.
Emotionally intelligent by design
Created by a therapist trained in emotional development, every episode naturally opens the door to family conversations about identity, traditions, and feelings. This is emotional learning wrapped in cultural storytelling.
Made for diaspora families
Jen built this for families like hers, raising mixed-heritage kids across languages and worlds. Instead of focusing on vocabulary drills, the content centers on cultural values and storytelling. Episodes introduce Chinese traditions, holidays, foods, legends, and historical figures in bite-sized, age-appropriate ways, with the intention of starting meaningful conversations at home and across generations.
Separate language tracks
Rather than mixing languages in one video, Long Long Tales offers full Mandarin and full English versions with narration and captions. Kids can start in their stronger language and switch to Mandarin later. This avoids asking children to listen in one language while reading another, something that can easily become cognitive overload.
Personal Message from Jen, Creator of Long Long Tales
Hi — I’m the therapist mum behind Long Long Tales. I’m a Chinese-Canadian parent living in Singapore and the founder of LifeLoong Therapy, where I work with families around early attachment and intergenerational healing.
Like many diaspora parents, I struggled to find Chinese content that felt right for my own child. So much of what I found was either overstimulating, overly academic, or disconnected from the emotional realities of growing up between cultures. I wanted stories that honored our heritage while supporting my child’s inner world — stories that made space for feelings, identity, and belonging.
Professionally, I support families through emotional development. Personally, I’m navigating bilingual parenting while unpacking my own cultural story. Long Long Tales lives at the intersection of both.
In a world where screens are unavoidable, I chose to use AI thoughtfully — as a tool to help bring emotionally mindful, culturally rooted stories to life for children like mine. I hope that Long Long Tales becomes a gentle bridge between generations — helping families connect through stories, traditions, and meaningful conversations at home.
A Therapist Mama’s Picks: Jen’s Favorite Chinese YouTube Channels
宝宝巴士 BabyBus Chinese
Origin: China (Fuzhou, Fujian Province)
Created by: BabyBus (Fujian) Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Best for: Toddlers ages 2 to 5, building foundational Chinese vocabulary, basic safety concepts, and enjoying catchy songs.
From a small Fujian startup to a global phenomenon, BabyBus now has over 120 million subscribers across all its channels worldwide. The company expanded internationally within just three years, with roughly 40% of its users outside China. Their team includes hundreds of scriptwriters, concept designers, modelers, and VFX artists, with most focused on content development.
They also specialize in producing longer, hour-long style compilations for extended viewing.
Where BabyBus Shines
Massive Content Library
Over 500 nursery rhymes and 1,000 episodes. You will never run out. Episodes are uploaded on separate English and Chinese channels. Each one teaches practical life skills like crossing the street safely, brushing teeth, and sharing. Topics include jobs, safety, daily habits, arts, science, and general knowledge.
Story + Song Formula
Unlike pure song channels, BabyBus weaves short narratives into music videos. Kids get emotionally invested in what Kiki and Miumiu are doing. Think Broadway musical for preschoolers.
Subtitle Options
Episodes are available in both simplified and traditional Chinese, making them accessible to families across regions.
Some Considerations
The artistic style is simple and can feel repetitive, with many songs using familiar melodies. The sing-song format is best suited for younger kids, especially under 4. In 2014, the FTC issued a warning related to data collection practices for children under 13, which has since been addressed.
大耳朵图图 Big Ear Tutu
Origin: China (Shanghai)
Created by: Su Da (Beijing Film Academy graduate) and Su Tai Xi
Best for: Kids with basic Chinese who are ready for authentic family situations and natural conversational Mandarin.
The director created this series based on observations of her own three-year-old son. The character design draws from traditional Chinese painting aesthetics, using simplified lines and warm colors. The show intentionally moves away from Japanese cartoon influences to focus on authentic Chinese family life.
Where It Shines
Authentic Chinese Family Dynamics
Realistic everyday situations like visiting grandparents, navigating kindergarten, and handling daily challenges. Kids learn language that they will actually use.
Award Winning Quality
Nominated for the China TV Golden Eagle Awards and winner of Best Art in Animation at the Golden Rooster Awards. The 2021 film adaptation grossed over 100 million yuan.
Cultural Resonance
Traditional art influences make the series visually distinct and culturally grounded.
Relatable Protagonist
Tutu is curious, imperfect, and emotionally real. He struggles with vegetables, gets scared, and sometimes misbehaves. Kids see themselves in him.
Some Considerations
This is slice-of-life storytelling rather than an action-packed adventure. YouTube uploads vary in quality, and subtitles are inconsistent, some simplified, some traditional, some missing.
喜羊羊与灰太狼 Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf
Origin: China (Guangdong)
Created by: Huang Weiming
Best for: Kids ages 5 to 10 who enjoy slapstick humor and families seeking culturally authentic content.
With more than 2,000 episodes, this classic series defined Chinese cartoons for an entire generation. If your child visits China, their cousins will recognize these characters. The story follows a group of goats constantly outsmarting Big Big Wolf on the grasslands.
Where It Shines
Hidden Adult Humor
There is humor for parents, too, especially in Big Big Wolf’s relationship with his demanding wife.
Cultural Context
Frequent references to Chinese idioms and cultural concepts help build cultural literacy alongside language.
Character Variety
Each goat has a distinct personality, expanding children’s descriptive vocabulary. Big Big Wolf fails every episode but never gives up, modeling persistence.
Some Considerations
Visuals are flashy. Storylines include cartoon violence such as wolves chasing goats, explosions, and slapstick domestic scenes. Dialogue is fast and includes slang, which can be challenging for beginners. Some episodes run up to 40 minutes, which may not be developmentally ideal.
Little Fox Chinese
Origin: Educational company in China
Best for: Serious language learners ages 3 to 8 and homeschooling families wanting structured Mandarin content.
Where It Shines
Built for Language Learners
Explicitly structured to teach vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Pinyin + Simplified Chinese Subtitles
Both appear simultaneously, helping emerging readers connect sounds to characters.
Short, Focused Lessons
Episodes run 3 to 8 minutes and cover specific themes like colors, numbers, family, and weather.
Classic Chinese Folktales
Includes adaptations of stories like the Monkey King and Chang’e.
Some Considerations
With its highly educational structure, the content can feel more like school than entertainment. The format becomes predictable over time, and animation is simple with minimal character development.
Pro Tips When Watching YouTube
1. You can turn on Chinese subtitles even if your child can’t read yet. Research shows children absorb written characters passively from repeated screen exposure.
2. Most shows speak too fast for learners, but you can slow down video playback by clicking the gear icon, then adjusting the playback speed to 0.75x. Then, your child can actually process what they’re hearing.
3. At the core, watching YouTube is less passive when caretakers can watch together. For example, you can pause to discuss: “Do you see? Tutu is asking his mom for candy. How do you think she’ll answer?” Active engagement multiplies learning.
4. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, the official guideline on screen is
- Ages 2-5: Less than 1 hour daily, co-viewed
- Ages 6+: Consistent family-decided limits
