23 best educational YouTube channels for kids and families

Whether your child is curious about black holes, wants to learn a new language, or just loves fun facts, YouTube can be a treasure trove of educational content. But with millions of creators out there, how do you know which ones are actually worth their screen time?

We did the digging for you. Here are 23 of the best educational YouTube channels to spark curiosity, make learning fun, and maybe even teach you a thing or two along the way.

For early learners (ages 2 to 6)

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1. Ms. Rachel – Designed by a real-life educator and mom, Ms. Rachel’s videos promote speech and language development through interactive songs, slow pacing, and repetition. She’s beloved by kids and parents alike.

2. Blippi – Equal parts silly and smart, Blippi teaches toddlers about the world around them, from construction sites to zoos, with energetic enthusiasm. His bright colors and curious questions make learning accessible and fun. His success has allowed him to expand to Amazon Video and live events. 

3. Sesame Street – A classic for a reason. With characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird, Sesame Street helps little ones learn letters, numbers, kindness, and social skills — all in bite-sized, giggle-worthy videos.

4. Kiboomers Kids Music – Music-based learning can be exciting for preschoolers. Their channel features catchy educational songs that help with routines, ABCs, counting, and motor skills.

5. PBS Kids – Clips and full episodes from shows like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, and Curious George offer social-emotional learning, science, and literacy in a trusted, ad-free environment.

For elementary schoolers (ages 7 to 11)

1. Crash Course Kids – Aimed at younger learners, this spin-off of the popular Crash Course series breaks down big science topics, like ecosystems, gravity, and engineering, using animated visuals and relatable examples.

2. SciShow Kids – Curious about why leaves change color or how magnets work? SciShow Kids presents engaging, easy-to-understand answers that encourage kids to explore their world through science.

3. National Geographic Kids – From underwater creatures to ancient pyramids, Nat Geo Kids delivers real-world facts and wildlife adventures with jaw-dropping visuals. Great for animal lovers and future explorers.

4. Art for Kids Hub – A family-run channel where kids (and parents!) can follow along with simple, step-by-step drawing tutorials. Whether it’s a dragon or a donut, creativity flows here.

5. SciGirls – Real girls doing real science! This PBS series introduces STEM projects through the lens of middle schoolers tackling real-world problems, empowering all kids, especially girls, to see themselves in science.

For middle schoolers (ages 12 to 14)

1. MinuteEarth – Short, clever videos explore environmental science topics like climate change, biodiversity, and the human body. A great pick for budding ecologists and nature lovers.

2. AumSum Time – With engaging animations and clear explanations, this channel dives into tricky science and engineering concepts, like Newton’s Laws or how a jet engine works, making them easy to grasp.

3. History Channel’s History 101 – A helpful companion for schoolwork, this channel covers everything from the Cold War to the history of chocolate in snappy, story-driven segments.

4. Mark Rober – This former NASA engineer uses humor, engineering, and a bit of mischief to show the magic behind science, from building the world’s largest Super Soaker to testing shark repellents.

5. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell – Known for its stunning visuals and thoughtful narration, Kurzgesagt explains everything from black holes to the immune system in a way that’s both poetic and easy to understand.

For high schoolers (ages 15 to 18)

1. CrashCourse – Founded by John and Hank Green, this channel tackles a huge range of high school and college subjects, from U.S. history to organic chemistry, all in a fast-paced, animated format.

2. Veritasium – Host Derek Muller takes on fascinating questions in science, physics, and psychology, combining experiments, expert interviews, and on-the-ground demos to challenge the way we think.

3. Khan Academy – The gold standard for academic prep, this nonprofit channel provides free, in-depth lessons in math, science, economics, and more. Ideal for test prep, homework help, and self-paced learning.

4. TED-Ed – TED Talks meet animation. These thought-provoking mini-lessons dive into literature, science, philosophy, and history, often with a moral twist or real-world application.

For families and lifelong learners

1. SmarterEveryDay – Destin Sandlin explores science and engineering with a sense of wonder, whether he’s filming a bullet in slow motion or learning from NASA scientists. Great for curious kids and their grown-ups.

2. How To ADHD – This channel is a lifeline for families navigating ADHD. Creator Jessica McCabe shares science-backed strategies and heartfelt advice for focus, time management, and understanding the ADHD brain.

3. The Brain Scoop – Hosted by Emily Graslie, this channel takes you behind the scenes at natural history museums and unpacks biology, anthropology, and what it really means to be a scientist.

4. Numberphile – Math becomes magical with this channel’s explorations of numerical patterns, puzzles, and math history. Great for math nerds and number-curious kids alike.

Tips to make educational YouTube time work for your family

Keep these ideas in mind to make YouTube time as purposeful and educational as possible.

• Set screen time goals: Instead of strict limits, aim for a daily or weekly dose of “learning screen time.”

• Watch together: Co-viewing opens the door for rich conversations, follow-up questions, and bonding moments.

• Turn learning into action: Try out a science experiment from SciShow Kids, start a drawing challenge from Art for Kids Hub, or write your own mini CrashCourse.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.