"It's jam-packed with funky educational songs." The 9 must-see videos right now on YouTube Kids.

I don’t want to call it too early, but, well... my kids (5 and 7) seem to be growing into a couple of well-rounded little humans. 

They love art and (most of) their pictures aren’t awful; they know how to do a yoga sun salute; they think poetry is cool and science is magic.

While I would love to take full credit for this, the truth is – I’ve outsourced most of these specific, wholesome lessons to some of the best teachers I know.

For free.

Through YouTube Kids.

We want our kids’ minds to be stimulated and creativity sparked; we want them to have fun and adventures – and we need them to be safe and protected.

This is exactly what YouTube Kids had in mind when they created a separate app. With easy-to-use parental controls, what your child watches and for how long is completely in your hands. 

Access to these handy channels, full of kids’ content, is like having a village of passionate and enthusiastic experts in your lounge room. Who would want to miss out on that?

Here are 9 channels on YouTube Kids I recommend you check out (read: our family’s go-tos!).

Art for Kids Hub

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

This channel follows American dad, Rob, who loves making art with his 4 kids. During these videos, Rob and one of his kids sit side-by-side at their art table and together, they guide you through how to draw an object or character, step-by-step.

Kids love it because...

Rob is a brilliant teacher. He puts fun and play at the centre of creativity. His kind and encouraging nature with his own kids calms and inspires the little artists at home.

Parents love it because…

It’s creative, fun, skill-based and makes your kids’ art significantly more fridge-worthy. My kids love to teach me what they learnt about Art for Kids Hub, which is so empowering for them.

And when the video stops… 

Once that seed of art love is planted it just takes off. My kids have journal upon journal full of drawings based on skills they learnt from this channel. Onya, Rob!

Image: Supplied.

Eddie Woo on Play School

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

Eddie Woo is a secondary high school teacher and YouTube maths legend. He does cameos on Play School, where he introduces basic maths concepts to little ones through fun activities and games.

Kids love it because...

Eddie’s joy and enthusiasm for the maths world is contagious. The activities he shows the kids are super engaging and the mathematical concepts are absorbed through play.

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Parents love it because...

We learn how to set up maths games and activities that require very little effort (which is always a plus). Maths can also be one of those tricky subjects that kids can get overwhelmed by at school. By getting them familiar with basic concepts through play, you’re setting an awesome foundation that will make it easier for them to build on. 

And when the video stops...

Kids love playing the same maths games as Eddie and the hosts. Pattern matching with movement, music and colours is a hit in our house, inspired by Eddie. 

Coach Josh Kids

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

Coach Josh is one energetic, Aussie dude who is super passionate about getting kids active. His channel has loads of songs, activities and exercises for pre-schoolers and toddlers.

Kids love it because...

Coach Josh is a fun time. The animations are cute, his songs are catchy and educational, and the activities are easy to follow. 

Parents love it because...

Kids are up, moving, learning and having fun. 

And when the video stops...

Kids learn the classics like Wheels on the Bus and have fun performing these with the actions Coach Josh teaches them.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

Here, you’ll meet Jamie Amor – yoga teacher, trained actor and kid-meltdown-diffusing magician. Her YouTube Kids channel features 15-minute yoga adventure stories, as well as mindfulness and meditation videos. 

Kids love it because...

Her videos are performed in front of a bright and fun digital landscape that changes to match the theme or story. The yoga sessions are based on kids’ favourite stories, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Star Wars, Frozen and Trolls (to name a few).

Image: Supplied.

Parents love it because...

You can roll your mat out next to your little yogi and get some sun salutations in. I also love a bit of this ~zen den~ if my kids are having a session with Cosmic Kids Yoga! In these episodes, Jamie uses ‘kid language’ to help kids practice gratitude and work through negative self talk. 

And when the video stops...

Kids have the beginnings of a toolbox that will help them ride the waves of this crazy, wonderful life. Being able to be in the present moment and recognise that thoughts come and go is an invaluable skill for kids to have (and, let’s face it – a good reminder for us parents as well).

GoNoodle

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

Now this is a fun and interactive American channel, jam-packed with funky educational songs and easy to follow dances by kids’ music groups NTV, Blazer Fresh and MooseTube.

Kids love it because...

The songs are CATCHY, the presenters are super cool and their easy-to-follow dance moves make kids (and parents… am I cool yet?) feel pretty on trend, too.

Image: Supplied.

Parents love it because...

Their songs will get stuck in your head, but they are genuinely excellent! Any parent who’s had Daddy Finger on repeat in their brains will know how appreciated this is.

And when the video stops...

Image: Supplied.

My kids love putting on "concerts," of course. GoNoodle gives them some great ideas for songs and dance moves to add to their (very long and very frequent) 'performances'.

Colossal Cranium

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

This is an animated, colourful and fascinating channel of videos that answer all the general knowledge questions your kids (read: also you) have.

Kids love it because...

The information is presented in an easy to understand and captivating way. Sound effects, fast visuals and a snappy pace keep the kids engrossed. Also, topics range from ‘Why are some people double-jointed?’ to ‘What's the smallest animal ever?’ All valid questions tbh.

Parents love it because...

It’s so interesting and well crafted you’ll have trouble walking away once you’ve set it up for the kids. 

And when the video stops...

The best thing about this channel is how it sparks kids’ curiosity about the world and enriches them with bite-size chunks of facts and history. Also, there are some excellent videos that answer questions like ‘What if I NEVER brushed my teeth?’. From experience, it puts an end to all tooth brushing battles. 

BBC Earth Kids

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

BBC Earth Kids takes kids all around this amazing world of ours. Some videos are focused on specific topics such as ‘Can animals be nice?’ (spoiler: of course). Other videos include baby turtles hatching, how weather systems work and more about our cool Natural Wonders in the world.

Kids love it because...

Amazing aspects on Earth are brought to life through fantastic footage, engaging presenters and short interviews with experts. This is all pieced together with language and explanations kids can easily take in.

Parents love it because...

Is there anything better than watching your child’s face light up with awe when they’re taught something ridiculously awesome, and now want to keep talking about to anyone who’ll listen?

And when the video stops...

They’ll be wanting to dig out your Atlas book or globe (or fire up the ol’ Google!) and keep researching anything they found interesting to know more about. You can encourage your kids to create fact sheets with one or two things they learnt and add pictures. 

Teaching other members of the family about what they learnt can make them feel empowered and increase confidence. 

Epic Phonics

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

Definitely one to keep in your YouTube Kids wheelhouse! It’s a channel with songs that teaches kids' letters and sounds with bright and animated visuals.

Kids love it because...

They’re born with brains programmed for language. As they get older, their curiosity about the written world becomes even stronger. Kids love listening to the songs and digestible phonics explanations. 

Parents love it because...

Kids are going to learn all about phonics from their first year of school. It can be handy to have an understanding of what this means exactly so you can back up the learning at home.

And when the video stops...

You’ll have some songs to sing together when the ol’ Now I Know My ABCs gets a bit… lame. You’ll also be able to chat about blending sounds, Phoneme fingers and Trigraphs. 

Don’t stress if you have no idea what these are – the cartoon faces have taught me everything I need to know!

CharlisCraftyKitchen

Image: Mamamia/YouTube Kids.

We love to see it: two Australian sisters, Charli and Ashlee, are behind this popular channel whipping up simple but *delicious* food.

Kids love it because...

The sisters explain the recipes step-by-step, wear super cute baking outfits and crack each other up while they cook.

Parents love it because...

They’re ridiculously endearing. They’re kind and funny and it’s actually quite nice to have them hang out in your lounge room. 

And when the video stops...

Your little ones feel inspired to get into the kitchen and try out some of Charlie and Ashlee’s ideas! The cocktail glass go-home party treat is one of the most popular we’ve tried before. 

So, there you have it. Keen to have some of the world’s most interesting and engaging teachers over before breakfast?

YouTube Kids is an app made just for kids, created to give them a more contained environment to discover new and exciting interests.

Download YouTube Kids on your smart device now.

Feature Image: Mamamia/Supplied.