The debate about screen time for kids seems to be an endless one. While some parents will deny it altogether, others feel that their kids need to be able to engage with screens in a controlled manner. Plus, when used mindfully, screens can provide educational content and spark creativity through interactive games and learning apps.
If you’re falling on the side of letting your kids have some screen time, you will still want to choose the content they watch carefully. While it’s important to be mindful of what’s out there, there’s also an abundance of fun, educational, and inspiring videos on YouTube that can engage your kids in a positive way. If you aren’t sure where to start, here’s our list of the best kid-friendly YouTube channels you can feel good subscribing to.
Nat Geo Kids, as the channel is better known, has over 1.12 million subscribers, and for good reason. Here, your kids can learn about animals, space, climates, cultures, and more. It has videos for most age groups, and they’re as entertaining as they are educational.
Science Max is hosted by Phil, a scientist who makes STEM topics interesting. Aimed at the 5-10 age group, Science Max builds experiments on a larger scale, including exciting things like levitation and catapults, then digs into the science behind the device. The engaging commentary, experiments, and animation add up to an entertaining but also educational channel.
If you want educational content that will support what your elementary student is learning in school, then Khan Academy Kids is a good choice. Designed for students in grades 1 to 4, this channel covers all types of educational content to help students boost their academic scores and learn about the world around them at the same time.
BrainPOP offers both free and paid subscription animated videos covering science and history topics. It is great because it makes the material entertaining and attainable for elementary-age students. Among educational YouTube channels for kids, this channel has one of the largest number of topics covered.
Cosmic Kids Yoga is one of the best YouTube channels that’s not in the educational genre. This channel encourages children ages three and up to move their bodies and learn stretching and strength techniques. Fun animations and themes, like animals, mermaids, and video game characters, interest kids in exploring magical worlds while moving their bodies.
From the makers of TED Talks, TED-Ed is full of short, engaging videos on interesting topics, along with riddles that get kids thinking. A favorite theme on the channel is its “A Day in the Life of” series, which looks at what life was like for various historical characters. Don’t worry—this channel doesn’t feature a bunch of kids standing on a stage presenting a standard Ted Talk. Instead, it is engaging animations that keep kids interested in what they’re learning.
SciShow Kids is for those kids who always ask “why.” The channel features a diverse team of hosts who, along with an animated robotic mouse, take the time to learn why things happen. If your child stumps you with a “why does that happen” question, and you don’t know the answer, chances are SciShow Kids has a video that covers the topic. Most videos on this channel are designed for elementary-aged children, specifically those in Grades 1 through 3.
Most of the kid-friendly YouTube channels on this list are designed for educational purposes, but sometimes kids just want to be entertained. DudePerfect is a clean, entertaining, stunt-filled channel for kids of all ages. While it’s true that many of the stunts and much of the content are sports-themed, such as “the world’s highest basketball shot,” even those kids who aren’t into sports will likely find it entertaining to watch.
If you have a creatively minded kid between the ages of 5 and 10, the Art for Kids Hub is a must. It provides easy-to-follow tutorials for drawing just about anything and guidance on other art mediums to help kids become more confident in their artistic abilities. The Hub is run by a family team, making it even more interesting to viewers as they see examples of art from the kids and parents.
When you can’t get to the zoo, the Houston Zoo lets you bring it home. The zoo has worked hard to make its channel interesting and educational. Who wouldn’t want to watch meerkats eating a jack-o-lantern or see the debut of the zoo’s spring babies? This channel is appropriate for animal lovers of all ages, but it doesn’t have animations. All of the content is filmed in real life using the animals at the zoo or the zookeepers.
Keeping your kids entertained is an overwhelming task, but Simply Sales is here to help. Our goal is to provide recommendations to help moms in all areas of their parenting, including their kids’ entertainment. Our blog has all types of recommendations, product reviews, and updates on the latest deals to help you save money. We’ve also created a fantastic Facebook community for moms like you. When you join, you’ll be able to get real-time deals, discounts, and other promotions and connect with other moms!
