“La Boîte Mystère” — What's in the Box Song in French for Kids
In “La Boîte Mystère” (What's in the Box?), kids sing key French words like qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans la boîte ?, il y a, est-ce qu'il y a un… ? and oui il y en a, going back and forth between English and French, so the meaning is never a mystery. It's a early-learner (A1) song from Unit 28: I Have, There Is, Where Is?, 2:24 long, made for ages 2–8.
- 🇫🇷 French
- Level: A1
- Unit 28 · J'ai, Il y a, Où Est… ?
- ⏱ 2:24
- 🔒 Premium
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“La Boîte Mystère” lyrics with English translation
Every line as it's sung, with its meaning beside it. French is shown in teal.
| Sung | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What’s in the box? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans la boîte ? | |
| Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans la boîte ? What’s in the box? | |
| There is a ball. Il y a un ballon. | |
| Is there a ball? Est-ce qu’il y a un ballon ? | |
| No, there isn’t! Non, il n’y en a pas ! | |
| Let’s look! On regarde ! Not yet, not yet! | |
| The box, la boîte; a surprise, une surprise! | |
| Shake it gently—secoue doucement! | |
| Is there a…? Est-ce qu’il y a…? | |
| Oui, il y en a! Or non, il n’y en a pas! | |
| There is, there are—il y a, il y a! | |
| What’s in the box? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? | |
| Il y a, il y a—let’s look and say! | |
| Is there a teddy? Est-ce qu’il y a un ours en peluche ? | |
| Yes, there is! Oui, il y en a un! | |
| There are three cars—il y a trois voitures! | |
| There are two socks—il y a deux chaussettes! | |
| Is there a spoon? Est-ce qu’il y a une cuillère ? | |
| No, there isn’t! Non, il n’y en a pas ! | |
| A little book, un petit livre; a red hat, un chapeau rouge! | |
| So many things! Tant de choses! Peek-a-boo! | |
| Is there a…? Est-ce qu’il y a…? | |
| Oui, il y en a! Or non, il n’y en a pas! | |
| There is, there are—il y a, il y a! | |
| What’s in the box? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? | |
| Il y a, il y a—let’s look and say! | |
| Listen… écoute… something goes woof! | |
| Is there a puppy? Est-ce qu’il y a un petit chien ? | |
| Let’s look! On regarde! Ready, set… | |
| Open the box—one, two, three! | Ouvre la boîte — un, deux, trois ! |
| Is there a…? Est-ce qu’il y a…? | |
| Oui, il y en a! Oui, il y en a! | Yes, there is! Yes, there is! |
| There is a puppy—il y a un petit chien! | |
| A puppy! Un petit chien! Come say hello! | |
| What’s in the box? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? | |
| A surprise, une surprise—and a puppy to know! | |
| Il y a, il y a—now you know the way! | |
| Il y a, il y a—let’s look and say! | |
Key French words in this song
The 10 words and phrases this song is built around.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans la boîte ? | what's in the box? |
| il y a | there is |
| est-ce qu'il y a un… ? | is there a…? |
| oui il y en a | yes there is |
| non il n'y en a pas | no there isn't |
| il y a trois | there are three |
| la boîte | the box |
| une surprise | a surprise |
| on regarde | let's look |
| un petit chien | a puppy |
How to use this song with your child
- 1
Count the “il y a”s
“il y a” means “there is” and comes up on 11 lines. Keep count on your fingers together; older kids can try to predict when it's coming next.
- 2
Split the parts
Once the song is familiar, you sing the English lines and your child sings the French ones, then swap. It turns listening into speaking.
- 3
Make it a routine
At 2:24, play it once a day at the same moment for a week. Hold up things from the laundry basket and ask whose they are, like in the song.
More everyday sentence songs in French
J'ai, Tu As
I Have, You Have · 2:17 · Premium
j'ai, j'ai un ballon, j'ai deux mains, tu as… ?
Où Es-Tu Caché ?
Where Are You? · 2:47 · Premium
cache-cache, je compte jusqu'à dix, prêt pas prêt j'arrive, où es-tu ?
C'est à Qui ?
Whose Is It? · 2:15 · Premium
c'est à qui ?, c'est à moi, c'est à toi, c'est à lui
“What's in the Box?” in other languages
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