Academic Learning

Alphablocks

Best for: PreK-K

Animated alphabet blocks teach phonics and reading in short, 5- to 12-minute videos. Kids will learn words through games and short stories.

Sesame Street

Best for: PreK-1st grade

Fans of the Street will learn to count, say the alphabet, about kindness and the properties of Sesame Street. Older videos – the ones parents remember – can also be found on the Sesame Street YouTube Channel.

Mathantics

Best for: Grades 1-8

Covering topics from Algebra to Pythagorean Theorem to Decimal Arithmetic, Mathantics are a combination of math and animation that makes learning math actually fun. Each video is nine to 13 minutes long, and there are more than 70 videos on the site.

Numberock

Best for: Grades 1-3

If animation isn’t your kid’s game and he or she prefers songs, Numberocks is the answer. Songs about math teach kids fractions, place value and coins, among others.

NatGeo Kids

Best for: Grades 1-6

Videos range from geography lessons to underwater sea exploration. Kids can go on adventures with Barbie, take a trip behind the scenes of Explorer Academy, learn “Weird But True” facts about the planet in a minute or less, and tackle questions about science.

McGraw-Hill PreK-12

Best for: All ages & Parents

Initially designed for teachers, this is a great resource for parents who have just become teachers to help find videos to teach about subjects from science to literature. Some of the most popular downloaded videos are animations about comparing and contrasting and using context clues in reading.

Exercising

Cosmic Kids Yoga

Best for: PreK-6th grade

Follow Jamie through kid-approved yoga workouts and stories they love (Frozen, Moana, Trolls, Minecraft, Star Wars, the list goes on). There are also relaxation guides and exercises separated by age group.

Guided Meditation

Best for: Elementary

New Horizon – Meditation and Sleep Stories teach kids about breathing deeply and creating a calm and meditative state if they’re feeling cooped up and need to relax. These are really great for all of us.

Family Cardio

Best for: Elementary

POPSUGAR Fitness created a video for families to work out together, with kid-friendly moves and up-beat music they’ll love. It’s a quick 13 minutes to shake the wiggles out in case it’s too cold/rainy to get outside.

Music Lessons

Guitar Lessons

Best for: All ages

Center Stage Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Academy teaches new learners of all ages through simple and easy-to-follow videos. If there’s extra time stuck inside (with no sports to play outside), the whole family can form a band.

Piano Lessons

Best for: All ages

Talent Playground is great for piano learners in all stages. If you’re looking to supplement while your child can’t take lessons or start something new, these videos teach rhythm and early music theory as well as chords and how to pound out a song.

Nursery Rhymes

Best for: PreK

Universal Kids Preschool – the YouTube division of the television channel – has rounded up its best Rhyme Town Nursery Rhymes for toddlers to sign along. Fans of Mickey Mouse and Company can check out Disney Junior’s list of Rhymes, including one in which Doc McStuffins teaches kids how to wash their hands.

Crafts & Play

Cooking

Best for: Grades 3-6

Bailey Makes the Cake is a young baker who teaches other young bakers how to make everything from oven-less cakes (microwave) to Cookie Monster cupcakes. Kids learning from kids! If your kids are ready to make dinner, try Messy Hands – Kids Cooking, a YouTube channel that teaches breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes.

Science Crafts & Experiments

Best for: PreK-3rd grade

The Dad Lab is run by a SAHD who has MacGyvered many ways to teach his young kids science and fun. Duplicating his experiments at home with your own kids helps them learn about Legos, Science, Balloons and the fun can go indoors or out.

Magic

Best for: Elementary

Kids can learn easy magic tricks to impress their friends when they return to school. Most require simple household items, so no shopping necessary.

Crafting

Best for: PreK-Early Elementary

For both parents and kids, learn how to make crafts for holidays, the season or just a way to eat time from 5-Minute Crafts PLAY. Kids can learn how to be spies or just make everyday objects more useful.

Crochet & Knitting

Best for: Elementary-Teens

If your kids – or you – want to learn a new craft to make presents, start with a YouTube tutorial. With Erin’s Crafts for Kids, a 7-year-old teaches other kids how to crochet using simple steps. Scribble has great DIY videos, including Knitting for Kids, Drawing and Making a Picture Frame.

Origami

Best for: Early Elementary-Middle School

Kids with dexterity and attention span are perfect to learn the art of paper folding. They can impress family with their abilities to fold napkins, envelopes and even money after learning from these videos.