Ask kids to name a celebrity and they’ll likely name another kid—a vlogger with millions of YouTube subscribers. While we love kids having influence, we’ve also heard those scary stories about hacked kids’ channels (with some getting the boot). Whether you are looking for YouTube Kids recs, educational entertainment, or other age-appropriate content, we’ve rounded up 11 channels that offer videos for kids you can truly trust.
1. Chu Chu TV
Curated content is essential for the preschool set, especially on YouTube, where it’s all too easy for little attention spans to flit from one video to the next. Chu Chu TV is a great place to start when it comes to singing along to songs and learning lessons from stories. The channel earned an A+ in educational value and top marks for positive messaging from Common Sense Media, whose new YouTube-dedicated channel is home to the latest YouTube news and reviews for kid content.
Ages 3 & up.
2. National Geographic Kids
Every day, this channel posts a new video about “awesome animals, cool science, funny pets, and more.” Its “Are We There Yet?” series also jet sets little travelers to a festival in Peru, a whitewater raft in Costa Rica, or the top of Big Ben in London—all with curious kids as tour guides.
Ages 8 & up.
3. Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga has always been great for all ages, but this channel has made it just for kids. It features a real-life instructor set in different animated settings as well as characters and adventure to go along with all those known benefits of yoga, like balance, strength and mindfulness. Schools use it, too, to get kids stretching and storytelling.
Ages 3 & up.
4. TED-Ed
Ever wonder how birds learn to sing, how teeth evolved or about the secret powers of jellyfish? TED-Ed’s genius combination of educators and animators creates awesome answers to these questions. Trust us, you’ll be watching this one right along with the kids (and you actually should be according to Common Sense Media, which recommends co-viewing until kids are 13). For those kids who have big ideas of their own, learn about TED-Ed’s student voice initiative.
Ages 8 & up.
5. Super Simple Songs
If you’re looking for familiar nursery rhymes and classic tot tunes with new characters and fun animation, all in bite-size segments of screen time, Super Simple Songs is a solid selection for the preschool crowd. Little singers can graduate to other Super Simple channels featuring fun tutorials, like how to draw animals or guessing games that help with learning letters.
Ages 3 & up.
6. Life Noggin
As kids mature, so do their questions. If they are asking about the universe, or make that a parallel universe, this animated science channel has the answers. All videos are inspired by the very questions kids are often bold and curious enough to ask: What if you never felt pain? Why do we forget our dreams? Why can’t we live on the moon? New videos, with most packing in major knowledge in about three minutes, drop on Mondays and Thursdays.
Ages 10 & up.
7. Coilbook: Learning for Children
A purple robot often leads the way into these educational videos, ranging in levels from learning colors to how to read to the full journey George the Garbage Truck makes in a day. The animation is top notch, and the company develops content based on user feedback, too.
Ages 3 & up.
8. ShibSibs: Maia and Alex Shibutani’s Official Channel
Still completely inspired by the Olympics? If you’re looking for some more Team USA, did you know two-time ice dancing Olympians and bronze medalists, Maia and Alex Shibutani, also have their own YouTube channel? With recent posts about their time in PyeongChang, home videos showing how they got started on the ice (when Maia was all of 4!), and sweet shout-outs to their supportive parents and fans, learn more about what it takes to become an Olympian—practice and positivity.
Ages 8 & up.
9. Sesame Studios
Sesame Street is such a staple when it comes to trust-worthy and educational programming beloved by kids and parents alike. And the Sesame Studios channel offers even more fun with digital puppet hostess, Marvie, who pals around with mainstay friends from Sesame Street as well as new characters. Songs are original, content is timely (check out Marvie’s recent celebration of Women’s History Month), and older kids have plenty to engage with, too (like crafting, cooking and fort building). New videos go up on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Ages 3 & up.
10. SoulPancake
We love SoulPancake so much, two of their shows turned up on our list of YouTube Videos That Will Make Your Kids Better People. Across their content, topics truly have a soul, giving kids and their parents thought-provoking conversation starters. As Common Sense Media’s review points out, there’s the occasional (and mild) expletive or acknowledgment of sexuality, so mind the age rating (Fun fact: SoulPancake is the brainchild of Rainn Wilson, a.k.a. Dwight from The Office.).
Ages 10 & up.
11. Ryan ToysReview
There’s no denying it: videos of kids “unboxing” and playing with toys are popular (and profitable) on YouTube. With channels like Ryan ToysReview boasting nearly 13 million subscribers, this is clearly what the kids are crazy about these days. While this channel rates high on consumerism, the six-year-old does some pretty cool stuff, too, like conducting science experiments kids can do at home. Ryan’s mom, dad, and baby twin sisters help out, and the family donates most of the toys to charity after Ryan’s review.
Ages 4 & up.
What YouTube Kids channels do you trust most? Share in the comments!
— Jennifer Massoni Pardini
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