Whether you're stuck inside with your kids on a rainy day or need a few moments of peace without turning on the TV, YouTube has a wealth of educational channels designed to keep your children entertained while learning.
We looked at the best educational YouTube channels available for children and evaluated each according to engagement, content, quality, and appeal. Most of these channels cater to middle school and younger kids, but some have content suitable for high school students, as well.
If you're looking for fun, interactive, and enriching material to enhance your children's screen time, here are our picks for the 21 best educational YouTube channels for kids.
01
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Best Educational YouTube Channel: Kids Learning Tube
What We Like
There's a new learning video every week.
Videos for every level of learning, from preschool through middle school.
Each video has only one concept.
Bright, fun, and engaging content.
What We Don't Like
Older kids might be left wanting to learn more.
Kids Learning Tube is a treasure trove of educational videos, each of which focuses on a single topic. From Earth Day to vegetables to anxiety, Kids Learning Tube educates children through original sing-along songs and animation, creating a fun and unique approach to learning.
Kids Learning Tube currently has more than 140 videos in its library and more than 163,000 subscribers. Select the Playlists tab to find groups of curated videos according to categories such as Earth Science, Famous Inventors, Motivational Songs for Kids, and much more.
With praise from parents and teachers alike, Kids Learning Tube is a must-stop channel and an amazing resource for families.
02
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Best YouTube Channel for Inquisitive Kids: TED-Ed
What We Like
Answers off-the-wall questions asked by the most curious kids.
Fascinating content covers a range of topics, perfect for general learning.
There's a website with further learning activities for each video.
Suggests a topic if your child poses a question you can't answer.
What We Don't Like
Topics covered can be pretty random.
Does time exist? Why do cities need trees? Why isn't the world covered in poop? TED-Ed answers these and many more burning questions that only a child can ask. The videos are well-produced, engaging, and beautifully animated, and you'll find yourself sitting along with your child and absorbing the fascinating information.
Along with videos that address a single topic, the TED-Ed playlists group videos according to subjects, such as Love and Superhero Science. TED-Ed also has multi-episode series, such as There's a Poem for That and Think Like a Coder.
While most preteens will love this channel, many of the videos are appropriate for younger kids, as well.
03
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Best Educational YouTube Channel for Older Kids: Crash Course
What We Like
Outstanding resource for middle school and high school students.
Topics are broken into easy-to-understand, 15-minute chunks of knowledge.
Kids with voracious appetites for learning will find new doors of inquiry.
Well-produced and expertly explained.
What We Don't Like
Many topics would be of interest to younger kids, but the delivery is definitely geared toward older kids.
Crash Course began as a way to teach kids history and biology but soon grew to include chemistry, literature, psychology, physics, media literacy, and more. The hosts are knowledgable and engaging, explaining complex topics in simple terms but never talking down to their audience.
Learning playlists for older students include a series of videos in partnership with Arizona State University to teach both the subtle and specific elements of being a good writer.
Artificial intelligence, navigating digital information, and engineering are a few topics students can dive into with this excellent learning resource.
04
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Best Kids' Educational YouTube Channel: Free School
What We Like
Videos are informative and expertly produced.
Videos answer questions and anticipate a child's next questions.
Large variety of topics.
What We Don't Like
Some videos only touch on topics superficially.
Free School calls itself a safe, friendly place to introduce children to famous art, classical music, children's literature, and natural science in an engaging, accessible way. Browse through biography, history, geology, oceanography, and mythology videos, or check out playlists grouped by subjects like Presidents of Mt. Rushmore, Learn About the Moon, Solar System Tour, and much more.
Free School's excellent, engaging videos are geared toward children in grades three through six, but both older and younger kids can find content that appeals to them.
05
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Best Comprehensive Educational YouTube Channel: Homeschool Pop
What We Like
Videos are organized by subject and grade.
New videos are uploaded several times a month.
What We Don't Like
Holiday videos could be expanded to include non-Christian holidays (for example, Hannukah) and federal holidays.
Geared toward elementary-aged students, Homeschool Pop's animated videos expertly cover a wide range of topics, including Christopher Columbus, Elephants, Facts About the Human Nose, U.S. States, and more. Videos are organized by subject and grade, making it easy to find a topic you want to learn about, and playlists are a helpful tool for in-depth learning on a subject.
Whether you homeschool or not, Homeschool Pop videos are an excellent and entertaining resource.
These videos are great for kids from kindergarten to about fourth grade, but younger kids with keen curiosity will love these too.
06
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Best Early Childhood Learning YouTube Channel: Netflix Jr.
What We Like
Catchy songs in videos that teach a variety of concepts.
Videos are funny.
What We Don't Like
Parents may wish to preview videos. Some humor may not be appropriate for all families.
Netflix Jr. offers a variety of videos featuring the channel's favorite characters, including the StoryBots and the Super Monsters. Join the StoryBots as they guide you through how a cold virus spreads, or follow along with Dottie Culpepper as she shows students how to become a ranger. There's even a seven-minute workout video that will keep the kids entertained while Mom exercises.
Netflix Jr. is a great channel for kids from Pre-K to second grade. Some of these videos might also appeal to third and fourth graders.
07
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Best Educational YouTube Channel for Middle School and Older: Khan Academy
What We Like
Good overview of subject matter beyond what's in grade-level books.
Explains difficult topics in mathematics and science.
What We Don't Like
Videos aren't flashy, which may make this channel unappealing to some kids.
Khan Academy provides a nice overview of subjects beyond what's in grade-level books, helping to break down difficult topics in mathematics and science, including cellular respiration, energy and enzymes, and more. There's also SAT prep, and videos on the arts and humanities.
While there are some videos dedicated to younger kids, Khan Academy is best for middle school and high school students.
08
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Best YouTube Channel for Elementary Aged Kids: National Geographic Kids
What We Like
Great nature footage.
Videos are very well produced.
What We Don't Like
Videos tend to be short and not too in-depth.
National Geographic Kids wants to help children explore the world through its fun, often wacky, videos. Whether your child wants to learn about venomous animals or try an experiment involving baking soda, you'll find excellent, engaging material.
Investigate oceans, the desert, and outer space with the Explorer Academy series, or join Barbie's adventures as she encourages imagination, expression, and discovery through play.
National Geographic Kids is best for kindergarten through fifth-grade students, though some older and younger kids will also enjoy many of these videos.
09
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Best Educational YouTube Channel for Girls: Amy Poehler's Smart Girls
What We Like
Highlights strong women doing great things.
Boys will also get a lot out of this material.
What We Don't Like
Videos aren't uploaded on a regular basis.
Founded by artist Amy Poehler and producer Meredith Walker, Amy Poehler's Smart Girls organization is dedicated to helping young people cultivate their authentic selves, with an emphasis on intelligence and imagination over fitting in.
This YouTube channel houses a host of shows, includingMaking Math Fun with Danica McKellarandWomen We Love.Other subjects include composting, voting, getting involved in your community, and much more.
While this channel is a must for elementary and middle-school girls, boys will also get a lot out of this material.
10
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Best Science YouTube Channel: It's Okay to Be Smart
What We Like
Host Joe Hanson is engaging.
Science is presented accurately and simply.
Videos have a reference list.
The illustrations help keep kids engaged with the content.
What We Don't Like
Sometimes videos aren't published weekly, as advertised.
Part science magazine, part science instruction,this YouTube channelis perfect for tweens and teens who want to know more about diverse topics such as How an Igloo Keeps You Warm and Why Are Babies So Unsmart?
Host Joe Hanson is engaging and entertaining and never condescending as he breaks down complicated information into easily digestible chunks.
Best Kids' General Science YouTube Channel: Crash Course Kids
What We Like
Complex topics are explained in simple videos with fun illustrations.
Great match for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade.
What We Don't Like
No new videos are being uploaded.
Crash Course Kids is an excellent science resource for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade. It's a great place to start when introducing children to new scientific topics.
Videos tackle the food chain, engineering, success, weather, and many more subjects. No new videos have been added to this site in a while, but the information there is still valuable.
12
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Best Science YouTube Channel for Kids: Peekaboo Kidz
What We Like
A new video tackling a new scientific topic each week.
Dr. Binocs brings science to life.
What We Don't Like
Playlists aren't as thorough as they could be.
Peekaboo Kidz videos feature Dr. Binocs, an engaging character who guides kids through science subjects such as vaccines, the immune system, carnivorous plants, and more. While these videos cater to elementary school kids, the channel also has nursery rhymes and alphabet songs for younger siblings.
13
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Best Science Channel on YouTube: SciShow Kids
What We Like
New videos are uploaded every Tuesday and Thursday.
(Video) Busy DAD PICKS WORK Over SON, He Lives To Regret It | Dhar MannSqueaks character helps draw in younger kids.
Host Jessi's experiments are engaging.
What We Don't Like
The info is delivered quickly. Kids may want to watch videos twice.
In SciShow Kids,host Jessi and her rat robot companion, Squeaks, explain, experiment, and show kids how to arrive at the answers to burning questions, such as Why Do Planes Leave White Streaks in the Sky? and How Do Temporary Tattoos Work?
These videos are best for children in kindergarten through fourth grade.
14
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Best Science Museum YouTube Channel: The Brain Scoop
What We Like
Shares strange and fascinating specimens.
Learn a lot of random facts.
What We Don't Like
Some videos may not be appropriate for children who are squeamish.
The Brain Scoop is a YouTube channel put together by Chicago's Field Museum. It houses fascinating videos that are great for tweens and older kids. Videos look at subjects as diverse as why King Tut had a flat head and introduce strange critters such as the camel spider.
15
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Best Kids' Physics YouTube Channel: Minute Physics
What We Like
Videos are well-illustrated and well-narrated.
Complex topics explained are easily understood.
What We Don't Like
Video uploads aren't predictable.
MinutePhysics is a fantastic YouTube channel focused on teaching kids about physics, explaining topics like antimatter, gravity, the periodic table, and much more.
This channel is best suited for kids who are in third through sixth grade, but younger kids will also enjoy some of the simpler videos.
16
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Best YouTube Channel That Makes Math Fun: Mike Likes Science
What We Like
Informative and fun videos.
Music makes science more appealing.
What We Don't Like
The songs are very catchy. Be prepared for earworms.
Mike Wilson uses his rap lyrics to teach kids about science and math in these science-inspired music videos. Enjoy Always Be Coding, How to Find Water Bears, Why You Shouldn't Wash Your Jeans, and other unbelievably catchy and entertaining music videos.
These videos are geared to preteens and older students, but anyone who likes a catchy beat will learn from and enjoy this material.
17
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Best Maths YouTube Channel: Mr. DeMaio
What We Like
Mr. DeMaio makes kids laugh while they're learning.
Great delivery helps kids retain the information.
What We Don't Like
Parents may want to review videos to see if Mr. Demaio's humor is a fit for their family.
Mr. DeMaio offers a new, fun, and hilarious way to learn an assortment of subjects ranging from multiplication to the planets in the solar system. Mr. DeMaio and his goofy puppet sidekick present and explain entertaining topics such as Tornado Facts for Kids, Black Holes Explained for Kids, and Carnivorous Plant Facts.
Mr. DeMaio's educational YouTube channel is best for second through fifth-grade students.
18
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Best Middle School Maths Channel: Mathantics
What We Like
The website has supplementary exercises to help kids solidify the information they learned.
What We Don't Like
Visual aids in the videos can be a little distracting.
Mathantics is both a YouTube channel and a supplemental math website that aims to help kids with their mathematics stumbling blocks. Video subjects include fractions, percentages, probabilities, geometry, algebra, statistics, and more.
Mathantics is best for kids starting at about fourth grade and continuing through middle school.
19
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Best Pre-K-2nd Grade Maths YouTube Channel: Math & Learning Videos 4 Kids
What We Like
Great resource for seeing math in action.
Alphabet and phonemic awareness videos in the mix.
What We Don't Like
Animation isn't as good as it could be.
When kids need help with math and early learning concepts, Math & Learning Videos 4 Kids is a great educational resource with 3-D animated videos that make learning fun. The videos are categorized by grade, making it easy to find the concepts your child wants to work on.
Video topics include time, addition, subtraction, division, counting, and much more.
These videos are geared toward kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.
20
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Best Social Sciences YouTube Channel for Kids: SoulPancake
What We Like
Broaches topics others might not be willing to cover.
Presentation is frank and honest.
What We Don't Like
Parents may want to monitor content to see if it's a fit for their family.
SoulPancake's mission is to open minds and hearts by joyfully exploring and celebrating the many ways humans seek connection, love, hope, truth, and purpose. The YouTube channel, founded by Rainn Wilson of The Office, delivers a host of shows that mostly focus on the social sciences, including history, philosophy, and psychology.
The channel explores some topics your child won't see anywhere else, such as people in recovery sharing how they got sober, what incarcerated women in prison are like, and the experiences of suicide survivors. All the content is delivered in a mature, joyful, and positive way.
This channel is appropriate for third grade and up, but parents should monitor content to make sure they and their children are comfortable with it.
21
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Best Digital Citizenship YouTube Channel: Common Sense Education
What We Like
Education suggestions for parents and teachers.
Information for kids about safety and privacy online.
Links to lesson plans for videos.
What We Don't Like
Videos for kids are mixed in with videos for educators and parents.
Kids are using technology more than ever before, and it's important to keep them safe while online. Common Sense Education has a channel dedicated to teaching elementary-aged kids what they need to know to be good digital citizens, tackling subjects such as internet safety, cyberbullying, online privacy, copyright, and more.
Parent and teacher material make this channel a valuable resource.
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FAQs
What are the best educational YouTube channels for kids? ›
- Mr. ...
- PBS Kids. ...
- SciShow Kids. ...
- BrainPOP. ...
- Mike Likes Science. ...
- Art for Kids Hub. ...
- Netflix Jr. Mo Mulla, dad and founder of the blog Parental Questions, likes Netflix Jr. ...
- TED-Ed. For kids in grades K-12, Ted-Ed is an invalauble, engaging resource.
Slick Slime Sam puts a STEM and sponsored content spin on those art and design shows that filled kids TV of yore. And, despite pledging to keep my kids off YouTube until they were far older, I think the channel's content is mostly appropriate for my five year old to watch.
What is the most popular kid channel? ›Characteristic | Number of subscribers in millions |
---|---|
CVS 3D Rhymes & Kids Songs | 30.4 |
Peppa Pig - Official Channel | 28.1 |
ToyPuddingTV | 26.6 |
Bounce Patrol - Kids Songs | 26.3 |
- TED-Ed - Lessons Worth Sharing.
- SmarterEveryDay - To teach you something new every day!
- Vsauce.
- AsapSCIENCE.
- National Geographic | Science, Exploration And Adventure.
- CrashCourse | Educational Videos.
- Kurzgesagt.
- Scishow.
...
What Kids Are Really Watching on YouTube
- NigaHiga.
- Smosh.
- Good Mythical Morning.
- The Fine Brothers.
- Vsauce.
- Minutephysics.
- SciShow.
- Khan Academy.
- Ted-Ed. Since March 1, 2011, Ted-Ed has provided a wide range of classes, from visual arts to mathematics, health studies, and business. ...
- Crash Course. ...
- C.G.P. ...
- Vsauce. ...
- Khan Academy. ...
- Veritasium. ...
- AsapSCIENCE. ...
- Common Sense Education.
Ryan Kaji
In 2021, his blend of toy reviews, educational videos and family vlogs helped him earn $27m (£19m).
- JennaMarbles.
- Liza Koshy.
- RCLBeauty101.
- IISuperwomanII.
- Zoella.
- Wengie.
- Bethany Mota.
- Lindsey Stirling.
- Mother Goose Club.
- Simple Kids Crafts.
- The Brain Scoop.
- Coma Niddy.
- Good Mythical Morning.
- MinutePhysics.
- React.
- Geek Gurl Diaries.
...
What should a seven year old watch on YouTube? ›
- Art for Kids Hub.
- Baby Einstein.
- TED-Ed.
- Rosanna Pansino.
- The Brain Scoop.
- Khan Academy Early Math.
- Storybook Nanny.