Pre-quarantine, we had a very strict “no YouTube” rule in our home. Our then 2-year-old was a victim of the “Momo murders Peppa Pig” fiasco, and the scare made us evaluate whether or not it was appropriate to use. At the time, it was not.
Now, after we’ve been quarantined for 60 days and counting, I’ve had to re-think this approach.
Avoiding YouTube was no longer feasible in the midst of our quarantine chaos. So after much soul-searching, I finally did some research on “safe” YouTube channels for kids of all ages. The results were astoundingly plentiful and diverse. There are so many quality kid videos out there!
Please keep in mind that what’s right for my family may not be what’s right for yours. I do not guarantee that all these videos will 100% meet your family’s viewing standards, and I strongly suggest previewing them before your kids watch them.
Here are our family’s favorite YouTube kids channels… quarantine edition.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Cosmic Kids Yoga is one of the pillars of my sanity right now. Yoga helps regulate my kiddo’s nervous system and gives her a positive way to “get her anxieties out” non-verbally. There is a fun and silly theme to each video, a captivating storyline, and some really great authentic but kid-friendly yoga poses.
GoNoodle
Admittedly, some of the videos on GoNoodle are better than others. However, this is a GREAT channel for “brain breaks” when the sillies, wiggles, or frustrated feelings take over. They’re funny, interactive, and plentiful. There is a mix of movie themes, mindfulness activities, and silly dances that make GoNoodle a hit for just about everyone. Right now, we’re really into their deep breathing videos!
National Geographic Kids
There are so many mini-series inside this one channel, it could entertain my kiddo for many, many years. They feature exploration videos, a “Best Job Ever!” series, “Weird but True!” videos, “Amazing Animals” shorts, and my daughter’s current favorite, the National Geographic/Barbie collaboratives. They’re captivating enough to get me to sit down and watch too! Except for maybe the Barbie ones…
Sesame Studios
From the makers of Sesame Street, these short videos are great for a preschool audience. There are short movement breakdances, nursery rhymes, and other endearing videos about feelings, sharing, and animals. In a pinch, I can always count on these videos to be age-appropriate, silly, and fun.
PBS Kids
This one almost goes without saying, but it’s just too good not to share. Between Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Arthur, Clifford, and the new “Read-Along with PBS Kids” e-series, we use this channel daily. It’s innovative, educational, and safe for kids, and I prefer this channel for my kiddo above all other TV.
TedEd
One of the biggest reasons I love TedEd is because it caters to such a wide audience. I adore these videos and find them not only entertaining but also educational. They have videos for younger and older elementary school students, along with more advanced ones for the middle and high school audience. If you really look, you can find a video about virtually any topic you’re interested in!
Crash Course Kids
Crash Course Kids has one of my favorite series right now for kids on YouTube — “The Engineering Process.” They brand themselves as “science with a side of awesome” and have their channel broken down into different categories, like Earth science, life science, physical science, and space science. This channel is perfect for the science avoider and the science lover alike.
SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids is another amazing channel for little STEM lovers. They have an awesome “experiments” sub-section that encourages hands-on learning with relatively easy-to-find ingredients. I can always count on this channel to be appropriate, interesting, and engaging. The videos are on the brief side — between 4 and 7 minutes on average — and are perfect for little minds!
Art for Kids Hub
Art for Kids Hub is run by a family of six who love to create art together. It primarily features drawing tutorials and is perfect for any age range. They draw cute cartoons like heart flowers, community helpers, animals, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Right now our favorite is the “preschool art lessons” uploads — my almost 4-year-old always feels very proud of what she draws!
The Artful Parent
This channel is maybe more for parents than kids, but it has a great variety of arts and crafts activities for kids of all ages and skill levels. They range from simple to more elaborate and can go along with homeschool lessons. You can easily find something you and your kiddo will enjoy, no matter what they’re passionate about!
