15 Educational YouTube Channels Actually Worth Your Kids' Screen Time

Every parent faces the same dilemma: your child wants screen time, but you want that time to have educational value. YouTube offers thousands of learning channels, but finding quality content amid the noise feels overwhelming.

We spent three months evaluating 50+ educational YouTube channels with kids aged 5-14, measuring engagement, accuracy, age-appropriateness, and actual learning outcomes. Here are the 15 channels that consistently delivered meaningful educational experiences while keeping kids genuinely engaged.

What Makes a Great Educational YouTube Channel?

After watching hundreds of hours of content with kids of different ages, we identified key qualities that separate exceptional educational channels from mediocre ones:

Quality Indicators

1. Accuracy: Information is factually correct and age-appropriate
2. Production Value: Clear audio, good visuals, engaging editing
3. Educational Structure: Concepts build logically with clear explanations
4. Engagement: Kids stay focused and ask questions about content
5. Safe Environment: Age-appropriate content with minimal ads
6. Consistent Upload Schedule: Regular new content to maintain interest

Red Flags to Avoid

• Clickbait titles that don’t match content quality
• Excessive ads interrupting learning flow
• Inconsistent quality across videos
• Comments sections with inappropriate content
• Promotion of products over education

The Best Educational YouTube Channels by Subject

Science & Nature

1. SciShow Kids (Ages 4-10)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 | Best Overall Science

What they cover: Science experiments, animal facts, earth science, and how things work.

Why kids love it: Hosts Jessi and Squeaks (an animated rat) make science feel like a conversation with a friend. Experiments use household items, and explanations adapt to young learners’ understanding.

Standout series: “Experiments for Kids,” “Behind the News,” and “Quick Questions”

Parent note: Perfect pre-K through elementary introduction to scientific thinking. Episodes run 3-5 minutes—ideal for shorter attention spans.

Subscribe if: Your child constantly asks “why?” and “how?“

2. Crash Course Kids (Ages 8-12)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5 | Best STEM Depth

What they cover: Physics, chemistry, engineering, and earth science aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

Why it works: Fast-paced editing keeps attention while delivering substantial content. Covers topics schools teach, making it excellent homework support or enrichment.

Best for: Kids who want deeper understanding beyond school lessons or those who thrive on Khan Academy’s structured approach.

Subscribe if: Your child enjoys hands-on STEM kits and wants to understand the science behind them.

3. National Geographic Kids (Ages 6-14)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 | Best Nature Content

What they cover: Wildlife documentaries, geography, environmental science, and world cultures.

Why kids love it: Stunning cinematography and real footage of animals in natural habitats. Kids feel like they’re exploring the world without leaving home.

Standout series: “Weird But True,” “Wild Kratts clips,” and “Animal Facts”

Educational value: Builds environmental awareness, geography knowledge, and appreciation for biodiversity.

Math & Logic

4. Numberphile (Ages 10+)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5 | Best for Math Enthusiasts

What they cover: Fascinating mathematical concepts, famous problems, and mathematical curiosities.

Why it’s special: Makes advanced math accessible and exciting. Shows that mathematics isn’t just calculation—it’s exploration and discovery.

Best for: Kids who already enjoy math and want to see beyond classroom curriculum. Pairs well with gamified math apps like Prodigy.

Parent tip: Some concepts are advanced; watch together to facilitate discussion.

5. Math Antics (Ages 8-14)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5 | Best Math Tutorials

What they cover: Core math concepts from basic arithmetic through algebra, explained clearly with animations.

Why kids love it: Breaks complex concepts into simple steps. The whiteboard animation style focuses attention on the math without distraction.

Use case: Homework help, test preparation, or filling knowledge gaps.

Subscribe if: Your child struggles with specific math concepts and needs clear, patient explanations.

History & Social Studies

6. Crash Course Kids: History (Ages 10-16)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5 | Best History Overview

What they cover: World history, US history, and social studies topics with engaging hosts and fast-paced editing.

Why it works: Makes history feel relevant by connecting past events to current issues. Host enthusiasm is contagious.

Educational value: Excellent supplement to history classes or homeschool curriculum. Covers major topics schools teach.

7. Simple History (Ages 8-14)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5 | Best Animated History

What they cover: Historical events, military history, and famous figures explained through engaging animations.

Why kids love it: Stick-figure animations and clear narration make complex historical events accessible. Videos are short (5-10 minutes) and focused.

Best for: Visual learners who struggle with text-heavy history lessons.

Arts & Creativity

8. Art for Kids Hub (Ages 4-12)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 | Best Art Tutorials

What they cover: Step-by-step drawing tutorials for characters, animals, and objects kids love.

Why kids love it: Rob (dad) and his kids demonstrate together, making it feel approachable. Kids can pause, follow along, and create impressive drawings.

Materials needed: Just paper and pencils/markers—no expensive supplies required.

Engagement factor: Kids produce tangible results they’re proud to share. Complements digital creative tools like Scratch.

Subscribe if: Your child loves to draw or wants to improve artistic skills.

9. Red Ted Art (Ages 3-10)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5 | Best Craft Projects

What they cover: Easy craft projects using recyclables and household materials. Emphasizes creativity over perfection.

Why parents love it: Projects use materials you already have. Host Maggy is encouraging and realistic about kid abilities.

Best for: Rainy day activities, birthday party crafts, or developing fine motor skills.

Language & Reading

10. Storyline Online (Ages 4-10)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 | Best Story Time

What they cover: Children’s books read aloud by famous actors with illustrations from the books.

Why kids love it: Professional actors bring stories to life with expression and enthusiasm. Feels special, like a private performance.

Educational value: Builds listening comprehension, vocabulary, and love of reading. Perfect for pre-readers and early readers.

Use case: Bedtime stories, quiet time, or inspiring kids to read the full book themselves. Pairs well with creative writing apps.

11. Free School (Ages 5-12)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 | Best Educational Variety

What they cover: Broad educational content including grammar, vocabulary, science, and social studies.

Why it works: Whiteboard teaching style with clear explanations and helpful graphics. No flashy editing—just solid teaching.

Best for: Homeschool supplement or reinforcing concepts taught in school.

Technology & Engineering

12. Mark Rober (Ages 10+)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 | Best Engineering Inspiration

What they cover: Engineering challenges, science experiments, and problem-solving with a former NASA engineer.

Why kids love it: High production value, genuine enthusiasm, and mind-blowing projects. Makes engineering look exciting and accessible.

Standout videos: Glitter bomb trap, world’s largest Nerf gun, and squirrel obstacle courses.

Inspiration factor: Kids who watch Mark Rober often want to become engineers. Excellent complement to coding education.

13. SmarterEveryDay (Ages 12+)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5 | Best Science Deep Dives

What they cover: Physics, engineering, and how things work, explained through experiments and slow-motion footage.

Why it’s special: Host Destin’s genuine curiosity and rigorous scientific approach teach both content and scientific method.

Best for: Curious kids who want to understand the “why” behind everyday phenomena.

Multiple Subjects & General Learning

14. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (Ages 12+)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5 | Best Animated Science

What they cover: Complex scientific topics explained through beautiful animations—from quantum physics to philosophy.

Why it’s valuable: Makes abstract concepts concrete through metaphors and visuals. Encourages big-picture thinking about science and society.

Parent note: Some topics (existentialism, death) may prompt deep discussions. Preview first for younger viewers.

Subscribe if: Your teen enjoys thought-provoking content and abstract thinking.

15. TED-Ed (Ages 10+)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 | Best Educational Animation

What they cover: Short animated lessons on virtually every subject—science, history, literature, psychology, and more.

Why it works: Top educators and animators collaborate to create engaging 5-10 minute lessons. Perfect length for focused learning.

Best use: Spark curiosity about new topics or deepen understanding of subjects kids are studying.

Creating Safe YouTube Experience

YouTube Kids App vs. Regular YouTube

YouTube Kids (Ages 2-8):

• Curated content appropriate for young children
• No comments section
• Limited ads focused on kid products
• Parental controls for screen time
• Auto-play limitations

Regular YouTube with Parental Controls (Ages 9+):

• Restricted Mode filters inappropriate content
• Ability to subscribe to approved channels only
• Turn off auto-play to prevent algorithm rabbit holes
• Disable comments to avoid inappropriate interactions

Parent Dashboard Setup

1. Create child-specific accounts with age-appropriate settings
2. Enable Restricted Mode in YouTube settings
3. Turn off search in YouTube Kids for youngest viewers
4. Review watch history weekly to understand viewing patterns
5. Set screen time limits using device parental controls

Maximizing Educational Value

Active Watching Strategies

Transform passive viewing into active learning:

Before watching:

• Preview content to ensure age-appropriateness
• Ask: “What do you want to learn about today?”
• Set viewing intention (watch 2-3 videos on one topic)

During watching:

• Watch together when possible, especially for younger kids
• Pause to ask questions or check understanding
• Encourage note-taking for older kids

After watching:

• Discuss what they learned
• Try related activities (draw what you learned, explain to sibling)
• Follow up with books or hands-on projects on the same topic

Creating Learning Playlists

Curate custom playlists for different purposes:

• Morning learning routine: 15-20 minutes of educational content before free play
• Homework help: Math tutorials, history reviews, science concepts
• Quiet time: Story time or art tutorials
• Deep dives: Multiple videos on a topic your child is passionate about

Balancing Screen Time

Educational YouTube still counts as screen time. Healthy balance:

Recommended limits:

• Ages 2-5: 30 minutes daily (prioritize YouTube Kids)
• Ages 6-9: 45-60 minutes daily
• Ages 10-12: 60-90 minutes daily
• Ages 13+: Negotiate together, focusing on purpose

Quality indicators:

• Child can explain what they learned
• Videos inspire offline activities
• Content supports school learning or genuine interests
• Child isn’t zoning out but actively engaged

Concerns Parents Should Know About

The Algorithm Problem

YouTube’s recommendation algorithm can lead kids down unproductive rabbit holes, even with educational channels.

Solutions:

• Create playlists in advance instead of letting kids browse
• Turn off auto-play so videos don’t queue automatically
• Use YouTube Kids app for younger children with curated content
• Subscribe to approved channels and use “Subscriptions” tab only

Ad Concerns

Even educational channels show ads. Kids see commercials for toys, games, and snacks.

Managing ads:

• YouTube Premium ($13.99/month) removes all ads
• YouTube Kids has fewer ads, mostly for kid products
• Use ad experience as media literacy teaching moment
• Ad blockers for family computer (may violate terms of service)

Creator Changes

Channels change over time. Creators might:

• Alter content to chase views
• Introduce sponsored content
• Change hosts or format
• Become inactive

Parent vigilance:

• Periodically review channels your child watches
• Ask kids about what they’re learning
• Stay subscribed to channels to notice changes
• Find alternative channels for similar content

Real Family Experiences

The Martinez Family: Structured Learning

“We created a ‘School Morning’ playlist with 3 videos: one SciShow Kids, one Math Antics, and one Storyline Online. Our 8-year-old watches while eating breakfast, and it’s turned morning screen time into learning time. She’s picked up so many facts about animals and actually asks to practice the math concepts she learns.”

Their approach:

• 30 minutes of educational YouTube during breakfast
• Followed by screen-free morning activities
• Weekend “deep dive” on topics she’s curious about

The Johnson Teens: Interest-Based Learning

“Our 13 and 15-year-olds have different interests—one loves science, the other art. We let them each pick 3 channels to follow, and they share what they learned at dinner. The science lover watches Mark Rober and gets inspired to do backyard experiments. The artist follows multiple drawing channels and has filled sketchbooks with practice drawings.”

Their rules:

• Must be able to explain what you learned
• Try one offline activity related to weekly viewing
• Older kids help younger siblings find age-appropriate content

Single Mom Homeschooler: Jessica

“YouTube educational channels are essential to our homeschool routine. I can’t teach everything, but I can curate excellent content. We watch Crash Course for history and science, use Art for Kids Hub for art class, and Storyline Online for read-alouds. It supplements my teaching and exposes my kids to different teaching styles. Best of all, it’s free.”

Her system:

• Morning: Math Antics tutorial, then practice problems
• Midday: Crash Course video, followed by discussion and project
• Afternoon: Art tutorial or creative project
• Evening: Story time with Storyline Online

Educational YouTube vs. Streaming Platforms

YouTube Educational vs. Netflix Kids

YouTube Educational Advantages:

• Free access to thousands of learning channels
• Covers more diverse, niche topics
• Easy to find exactly what you need
• Regular new content

Netflix Kids Advantages:

• No ads
• Higher production value
• Longer-form storytelling
• Curated, vetted content

Best approach: Use both strategically. Netflix for entertainment and storytelling; YouTube for targeted learning and skill-building.

YouTube vs. Khan Academy

For structured academic learning, Khan Academy offers comprehensive curriculum while YouTube provides supplementary content and alternative explanations.

Use together:

• Khan Academy for systematic learning and practice
• YouTube for inspiration, experiments, and different teaching approaches
• Khan Academy for assessment; YouTube for engagement

Age-Specific Recommendations

Preschool (Ages 3-5)

Top picks: SciShow Kids, Storyline Online, Art for Kids Hub Screen time: 20-30 minutes daily Parent involvement: Watch together, discuss content Best practices: Use YouTube Kids app exclusively

Elementary (Ages 6-10)

Top picks: Crash Course Kids, National Geographic Kids, Math Antics, Red Ted Art Screen time: 30-60 minutes daily Parent involvement: Create playlists, check watch history weekly Best practices: Balance multiple subjects

Middle School (Ages 11-13)

Top picks: Mark Rober, TED-Ed, Numberphile, Crash Course History Screen time: 60-90 minutes daily Parent involvement: Regular conversations about content Best practices: Encourage note-taking and project creation

High School (Ages 14+)

Top picks: Kurzgesagt, SmarterEveryDay, subject-specific channels for classes Screen time: Negotiated together Parent involvement: Interest and discussion partner Best practices: Connect viewing to academic goals or personal interests

Creating Your Family’s Viewing Plan

Week 1: Assessment

• Observe current YouTube usage
• Note which channels engage vs. entertain passively
• Ask kids what they want to learn

Week 2: Curation

• Subscribe to 5-7 recommended channels
• Create 3 themed playlists
• Set up parental controls and safe viewing

Week 3: Implementation

• Replace passive screen time with curated educational content
• Watch together at least once daily
• Discuss what kids are learning

Week 4: Refinement

• Notice which content sparks genuine interest
• Adjust playlists based on engagement
• Add new channels in areas of growing interest

Our Verdict

Educational YouTube channels earn 4.5/5 stars as a supplementary learning resource. When curated thoughtfully, they transform screen time from passive entertainment into active learning that builds knowledge, skills, and curiosity.

Best for:

• Supplementing homeschool curriculum
• Inspiring interest in STEM subjects
• Providing alternative explanations for school topics
• Building creative skills (art, writing, making)
• Screen time that parents feel good about

Not a replacement for:

• Structured academic curriculum
• Hands-on learning experiences
• Reading books
• Outdoor play and physical activity
• Social interaction with peers

Final Recommendation

Start by subscribing to 3-5 channels that match your child’s current interests and learning needs. Create a simple playlist for this week, watch one video together, and discuss what made it engaging or educational.

Educational YouTube won’t replace traditional learning, but it provides accessible, engaging supplementary content that can spark curiosity, clarify confusing concepts, and inspire kids to explore new interests.

The key is curation and conversation. With parent guidance, YouTube transforms from a passive time-waster into an active learning tool that complements formal education and nurtures lifelong curiosity.

Ready to transform screen time into learning time? Start with one channel from our recommendations and build from there.