If you have a child that was born anytime after 2005 or so, I can almost guarantee one thing – they LOVE Youtube.
Youtube for our kids is like the modern-day Disney Channel or Nickelodeon – all the kids have their favorite shows (or, in this case, channels).
While some parents are fully on the “No screen time and definitely no Youtube” train, I am all for it.
Yes, there is a dark side of Youtube (and the internet in general), so it’s important to teach your kids about internet safety. However, is also a great source of kid-friendly entertainment and information. In fact, there are some Youtube channels that I rely on to help homeschool my son.
Today, I wanted to share a few awesome education Youtube channels that I think you should check out.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed has a mission- to create educational videos that are worth sharing. Each video takes a teacher’s lesson and animates it so that it is easier (and more fun) to consume. One thing I love about TED-Ed is that their content is so widely varied that you’re bound to find something interesting. One day you can explore The Surprising Reasons Animals Play Dead. The next you could learn What Causes Body Odor or spend A Day in the Life of a Roman Soldier. Each bite-sized video is 4-6 minutes long, but if you want to dive deeper, you can visit a full lesson on their website. There, you and your kids can check out quizzes, guided discussions, and additional resources.
CrashCourse
This is a great channel for kids in middle school and above. With videos and playlists devoted to Physics, Philosophy, Games, Economics, U.S. Government and Politics, Astronomy, Anatomy & Physiology, World History, Biology, Literature, Ecology, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology, Film History, Computer Science, Mythology, and U.S. History, there is a ton to check out! You can also check out their companion channel. CrashCourse Kids or even more educational videos for elementary age kids.
5-Minute Crafts KIDS
Looking for some fun, easy crafting projects, DIY tips, or life hacks for kids? 5-Minute Crafts Kids has it all! It’s a great channel for getting some inspiration or to follow step-by -step tutorials. You might even end up saving money!
SciShow Kids
This will share 5-10 educational channels on Youtube. If your kids are constantly asking questions that start with why, how, SciShow Kids might be the perfect fit for you. Created with curious, young kids in mind, this channel gives you a chance to explore a variety of topics, answer eager questions, and conduct cool experiments.
It’s Okay to be Smart
This channel is all about encouraging curiosity about science. With playlists devoted to Biology, Physics, Food Science, Space, the Human Body, Earth Science, and more, host Joe Hanson makes learning about the world around us an engaging experience.
These are just a handful of awesome Youtube channels for kids. I encourage you to browse Youtube on your own to see if you find channels that are perfect for your family. You can start by searching for specific topics. When you find a video that you love, check out the rest of that channel. You might find your next favorite that way!