25 Best YouTube Channels for Kids, Ranked
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YouTube is a fantastic resource for educating and entertaining kids of all ages, and kid-themed channels are some of the most popular. A 2020 survey of American YouTube watchers found that over 30 percent of parents allow their kids to regularly watch the site. In fact, more children watch YouTube now than TV.
Channels such as Super Simple Songs and Mother Goose Club are full of nursery rhymes and songs for toddlers and preschool children that help teach them ABCs, counting and even basic life skills. Science and educational programs aimed at older kids are also popular, such as Crash Course, Minute Physics and SciShow Kids. Other top channels discuss or present current social issues, such as racial justice, bullying, mental health and homelessness.
These are the best YouTube channels for kids of all ages — even some that grownups will enjoy.
25. National Geographic Kids
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Number of subscribers: 1.07 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (8-13)
Check out what we mean here: National Geographic Kids
* Subscriber numbers are current through March 2024.
Why National Geographic Kids Is One of the Best
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National Geographic Kids is an offshoot of the 133-year old National Geographic Society monthly magazine, which features articles on the natural world, space, history, society and science for teens through to adults.
The YouTube channel for kids has videos on the same topics as the magazine. The videos are short (so kids don’t get bored), entertaining as well as educational and use simple English. Popular streams on the National Geographic Kids channel include Weird But True!, Explorer Academy, Best Job Ever and Party Animals.
24. SciShow Kids
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Number of subscribers: 1.11 million
Age range: Preschool to elementary (3-10)
Check out what we mean here: SciShow Kids
Why SciShow Kids Is One of the Best
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SciShow Kids is a spinoff from the popular YouTube science series, SciShow, which is for older children and teens. SciShow Kids looks at everything science and has lots of DIY, experiments and activities that younger viewers can do on their own or with parental supervision.
Host Jessi Knudsen Casteneda and her puppet rat, Squeaks, walk younger kids through science concepts in simple, easy language that they can understand, using animation to create entertaining videos that make learning about science fun.
23. Thomas Frank
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Number of subscribers: 2.97 million
Age range: High school to college (15-21)
Check out what we mean here: Thomas Frank
Why Thomas Frank Is One of the Best
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Thomas Frank studied Management Information Systems and now puts his knowledge to work by making videos that help high school and college students study and learn better. His videos include study tips, strategies for better reading and note-taking as well as methods for learning faster and doing better on tests.
While his channel is aimed at kids in high school and college, grownups can also learn better ways to work more efficiently. Frank also has a series on his channel about creating and maintaining effective habits.
22. Vlogbrothers
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Number of subscribers: 3.77 million
Age range: Teens (13+)
Check out what we mean here: Vlogbrothers
Why Vlogbrothers Is One of the Best
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The two brothers, Hank and John Green, who also created SciShow and Crash Course, are the Vlogbrothers. They use Vlogbrothers as a platform to discuss more serious, topical issues, including racism, mental health and politics, as well as to highlight their mental health philanthropy.
John Green also talks about his history of mental health challenges and how he has benefitted from psychiatric care to inspire a better understanding among teens.
21. Sesame Street in Communities
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Number of subscribers: 3.63 million
Age range: Preschool to elementary (1-10)
Check out what we mean here: Sesame Street in Communities
Why Sesame Street in Communities Is One of the Best
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Sesame Street’s Communities channel has a range of videos and learning materials in English and Spanish that help parents and caregivers talk with and support kids who are facing difficult life challenges. The channel uses age-appropriate language and breaks down complex issues into clear, simple ideas that kids can grasp.
Topics include divorce, incarceration, grief, racial justice, family homelessness and parental addiction. The site also offers wellness resources for kids, including games, videos and learning materials, on the body, healthy eating, emotional well-being, resilience, personal hygiene and getting ready for school.
Why Participant Is One of the Best
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Participant is a media company that makes entertaining feature and documentary films and video series to inspire positive social change. They focus on themes such as racial and gender justice, voting rights, and refugees and migrants. The company was founded in 2004 by philanthropist and social entrepreneur Jeff Skoll.
Participant has made over 100 films, received 82 Academy Award nominations and scored 21 Oscar wins, including feature films “Green Book” and “Spotlight” and documentaries “Roma” and “A Fantastic Woman.”
19. It's Okay to Be Smart
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Number of subscribers: 5.05 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (10-18)
Check out what we mean here: It’s Okay to Be Smart
Why It’s Okay to Be Smart Is One of the Best
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It’s Okay to Be Smart is a PBS Digital Studios channel with informative and entertaining videos for kids. The channel, hosted by scientist Dr. Joe Hanson, explores a wide range of science topics. The videos feature animation and Hanson using simple language aimed at kids to explain complicated ideas.
The channel creates separate videos for kids in grades six to eight and in grades nine to 12. It recently launched a new series, called In Our Nature, which features short wildlife and ecosystem documentaries.
18. HiHo Kids
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Number of subscribers: 5.39 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (8+)
Check out what we mean here: HiHo Kids
Why HiHo Kids Is One of the Best
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HiHo Kids feature videos of kids learning about new things and meeting new people. Two of their most popular video series are Kids Try, in which kids sample unfamiliar foods from around the world, and Kids Meet, in which kids meet unusual and interesting people, such as a trans-athlete, a dating coach and a virologist.
The videos are unscripted and rely on kids’ honest reactions to unfamiliar situations. Sometimes serious issues, such as death or incarceration, are raised, but the channel focuses on respecting peoples’ differences.
17. Brat TV
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Number of subscribers: 5.3 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (11+)
Check out what we mean here: Brat TV
Why Brat TV Is One of the Best
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Brat TV features independently produced dramas on issues important to preteens and teens, with storylines about friends falling out, school, gossip, bullying and secrets. One of the most popular series on the channel is Chicken Girls, which uses popular social media stars to depict dramas about friends and crushes.
The show also features original songs and music. The videos on Brat TV are short in length and pack in the right mix of drama and positive, empowering role models, with stories and characters appropriate to a preteen and teen audience.
16. Minute Physics
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Number of subscribers: 5.75 million
Age range: Junior high (12+)
Check out what we mean here: Minute Physics
Why Minute Physics Is One of the Best
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The Minute Physics channel is all about making physics and science cool and fun. The host, Henry Reich, uses whiteboard pictures and graphics to explain complex science phenomena quickly and easily.
The short videos, which run about three to six minutes, feature themes with kid appeal, such as whether it's better to walk or run in the rain, how you can see without glasses, understanding gravity or dark matter, and how the sun works.
15. Khan Academy
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Number of subscribers: 8.3 million
Age range: Kindergarten to college
Check out what we mean here: Khan Academy
Why Khan Academy Is One of the Best
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Khan Academy is a free, online learning platform for all ages. Sal Khan started posting math videos on YouTube for his niece after she asked for help with her schoolwork. His videos became wildly popular, and he set up the Khan Academy, which has a team of educators that create learning resources for both students and teachers.
The channel offers online video tutoring in math, science, arts and humanities, computing and economics, and reading and language arts.
14. Mother Goose Club
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Number of subscribers: 9.33 million
Age range: Preschool (1-5)
Check out what we mean here: Mother Goose Club
Why Mother Goose Club Is One of the Best
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The Mother Goose Club features videos of nursery rhymes and original songs for preschool children. The videos are hosted by young kids dressed as Mother Goose characters and have animated characters and lots of color. Kids can join in and sing along in English or Spanish.
The Mother Goose Club also has videos that help young children learn their ABCs, numbers and colors. Its website offers activities, crafts, games and reading resources for teachers and parents to download and print for kids.
13. Netflix Jr.
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Number of subscribers: 16.1 million
Age range: Preschool to elementary (1-12)
Check out what we mean here: Netflix Jr.
Why Netflix Jr. Is One of the Best
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Netflix Jr. is an offshoot of the popular streaming service with entertaining videos just for kids. The videos are short, about five minutes, to keep children engaged, and feature much-loved Netflix characters, such as Storybots and Super Monsters. Preschool kids can learn their ABCs, numbers and shapes through singalong songs. Elementary-aged children can learn about simplified science concepts, like the human body, outer space and dinosaurs, by following animated characters StoryBots.
The channel also features the popular Emily’s Wonder Lab, on which host Emily Calandrelli does science experiments and teaches basic STEM concepts.
12. People Vs. Food
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Number of subscribers: 12.5 million
Age range: Preteen to college (8+)
Check out what we mean here: People Vs. Food
Why People Vs. Food Is One of the Best
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People Vs. Food is a food channel on which kids, teens and college students take part in food challenges and try unfamiliar foods from around the world. Past challenges have included eating Norwegian snacks, tasting military MRE (Meals Ready To Eat) foods, trying ancient Egyptian dishes, eating cow tongue, and trying and guessing weird cookie flavors.
Popular series on the channel include The Ultimate College Cooking Show and Too Many Cooks.
11. Crash Course
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Number of subscribers: 15.4 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (10+)
Check out what we mean here: Crash Course
Why Crash Course Is One of the Best
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The Crash Course channel is another one created by Hank and John Green to teach kids about world history and biology using fun, entertaining, short videos with animation and graphics. The videos run about 10 to 15 minutes each and deliver education in a way that allows kids to easily understand and absorb the material.
The brothers use a series of short videos to teach an entire subject and now offer about 32 courses on their Crash Course channel.
10. Nerdy Nummies
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Number of subscribers: 14.5 million
Age range: Preteen and teen (8+)
Check out what we mean here: Nerdy Nummies
Why Nerdy Nummies Is One of the Best
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Rosanna Pansino set up her Nerdy Nummies baking channel for kids in 2010 and has since become one of the best-known and most popular bakers on YouTube. A former “Glee” actress, Pansino has two best-selling cookbooks and her own line of bakeware.
She’s known for dressing up in costumes and coming up with easy, fun, nerdy recipes for kids to follow at home. Pansino’s most-watched videos include making Harry Potter-themed cookies and kids birthday cakes, including Godzilla and a realistic-looking pizza cake. She also tests viral TikTok recipes popular with teens.
Why TED Ed Is One of the Best
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TED Ed is an offshoot of the well-known TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Talks program, in which experts and top thinkers give short talks about their work. TED Ed is aimed at teenagers and college students and features short, animated four- to seven-minute videos explaining a wide range of topics and ideas.
The topics are broken down into easy-to-understand concepts. Educators anywhere in the world can pitch a topic idea to TED Ed and may be chosen to develop the script.
8. Good Mythical Morning
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Number of subscribers: 18.6 million
Age range: Preteen to adult (11+)
Check out what we mean here: Good Mythical Morning
Why Good Mythical Morning Is One of the Best
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Good Mythical Morning is a zany, comic talk show with hosts and best friends Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. The pair talk about new products and trends or food, and set each other quizzes and challenges. They play games with and challenge celebrity guests.
McLaughlin and Neal are known for their funny stunts, such as sucking up hot dogs with a vacuum cleaner, trying TikTok life hacks or eating food from a treadmill. Each daily episode runs about 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Brave Wilderness
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Number of subscribers: 21.3 million
Age range: Pre-Teen and teen (8+)
Check out what we mean here: Brave Wilderness
Why Brave Wilderness Is One of the Best
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The hosts of Brave Wilderness, Coyote Peterson, Mark Vins and Mario Aldecoa, take kids on video wilderness adventures that involve animal encounters ranging from facing grizzly bears to being stung by wasps. The program teaches kids about strange, scary or misunderstood animals, reptiles and insects.
The three explorers attempt the sort of challenges that kids might dream up such as running through a cactus maze blindfolded, having a frog scavenger hunt or testing out bite-proof gloves on venomous snakes.
6. Sesame Street
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Number of Subscribers: 23.7 million
Age range: Preschool (1-5)
Check out what we mean here: Sesame Street
Why Sesame Street Is One of the Best
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Sesame Street has been helping kids learn the alphabet and math since 1969 by offering videos, games and songs with humans and puppets. Their YouTube channel is aimed at preschool kids and features the same fun, sing-along learning songs and games in English and Spanish as well as includes special guest hosts and a cast of regular presenters and puppets. Think Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch.
Sesame Street also teaches kids important life skills, everything from tying shoelaces to dealing with anger.
5. Peppa Pig Official Channel
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Number of subscribers: 34.1 million
Age range: Preschool (1-5)
Check out what we mean here:Peppa Pig Official Channel
Why Peppa Pig Is One of the Best
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Peppa Pig started off as a British animated TV series about 4-year-old Peppa who lives with her mother, father and little brother George. The series is now popular around the world, and children watch the mischievous young pig’s adventures in 180 countries and 40 languages.
The stories are aimed at a roughly 4-year-old audience, the same age as Pippa, and don’t use any strong conflict or villains, so they’re easy for young children to follow and understand.
4. Masha and the Bear
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Number of subscribers: 46.7 million
Age range: Preschool and elementary (3-8)
Check out what we mean here: Masha and the Bear
Why Masha and the Bear Is One of the Best
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Masha and the Bear is a popular Russian animated series that’s been translated into 35 languages. The series follows a retired circus bear who goes to live in a forest and meets a 3-year old girl, named Masha, who lives nearby in a small yellow house near a railway station.
Masha is lively, energetic, curious and mischievous. The bear becomes her protector and is always trying to keep her out of trouble. The series teaches young children about loyalty, friendship and problem-solving skills.
3. Ryan’s World
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Number of subscribers: 36.5 million
Age range: Preschool to elementary (3-10)
Check out what we mean here: Ryan’s World
Why Ryan’s World Is One of the Best
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Ryan Kaji might just be the best-known “kidfluencer” in the world. He and his family run Ryan’s World, one of the most popular and lucrative YouTube channels. It started in 2015 as Ryan’s Toy Review and featured 3.5-year-old Ryan unboxing and playing with new toys.
The family later changed the channel name to Ryan’s World, adding more of an educational focus, with science experiments, travel, DIY and crafts. Ryan also has his own shows on Nick Jr. and Amazon Kids+.
2. Super Simple Songs
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Number of subscribers: 41.3 million
Age range: Preschool (1-5)
Check out what we mean here: Super Simple Songs
Why Super Simple Songs Is One of the Best
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Youngkids love songs that are simple and easy to learn. The Super Simple Song channel features songs and animated videos for preschool children created by a team of educators and designers. The videos are fun, often silly but also informative, helping to teach counting, ABCs and basic life skills.
One series on the channel uses bedtime songs, using nursery rhymes and lullabies to help kids fall asleep. The Super Simple website also offers free educational resources for parents and teachers, including downloadable printables, craft ideas, recipes and activities for kids.
Why ChuChu TV Baby Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs Is One of the Best
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Chu Chu TV is the most popular kid-themed channel on YouTube. The channel uses videos with animation, nursery rhymes and educational songs to entertain and teach preschool kids about shapes, colors and numbers.
While the main channel is in English, there are also videos in Spanish, French, Portuguese and HIndi. Besides the learning and song videos, the Chu Chu channel has videos with lullabies and music to help get babies and toddlers to sleep.
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