10 best YouTube kids movies: safe, educational and fun

Identifying the best YouTube kids movies that are fun, educational, and safe to watch can be a daunting task today.

Even with endless options to choose from, it might be difficult to find the right free YouTube movies for your kids to watch.  

Fortunately, this piece has assembled some of the best movies on YouTube that your kids can enjoy regardless of their age group. The selections are keen on education, fun, and moral safety.  

Why choose YouTube for kids to watch movies?

Parents favor YouTube as it provides children with safe, fun, and informative material. Here are five reasons why YouTube stands out as one of the best options for kids to watch movies:

Wide range of free content

YouTube is one platform that provides endless movies and videos for children without any subscription.

Parents can quickly find different types of animations that contain educational information about other animated series or movies that are age-appropriate for children and are free.

Moreover, it has programs for kids of all ages, including toddlers or preschoolers and kids between the ages of five and twelve.

Parental Control and YouTube Kids App

The YouTube Kids app will ensure parents can set up a safe viewing experience for their children.

The app has suitable parental control measures that will enable the parents to block content, regulate the time each child spends watching and determine what the child is watching.

Educational and entertaining balance

YouTube has a vast number of educational videos that allow kids to learn while enjoying the show.

From numbers and colors to even different kinds of science, numerous YouTube channels are dedicated to making movies and animations out of learning.

Accessible anywhere, anytime

YouTube lets children watch their favorite movies on any device, including a tablet, smartphone, or smart TV.

This flexibility makes it easy for parents to entertain children during travels, while waiting, or even at home.

How to select the right movie for kids?

Like selecting an episode to watch in a series, picking a movie is more complex than pressing play.

It involves selecting content appropriate for their age, interests, and stage of development. Here are practical tips to help you make the best choices:

Verify age requirements and recommendations

When choosing a movie, first consider its rating or the age range recommended on services like YouTube Kids.

The age rating summarizes the movie’s content and is also a good gauge of the themes, language, and content your child could be exposed to when watching a particular movie.

You can read the reviews and even pre-watch the movies to ensure the content is age-appropriate.

Consider your child’s interests

It is seen that children will pay more attention to movies that they find interesting at that particular time.

For instance, if you have a child who loves animals, you might select cartoons or nature films about animals.

If they like space or science, educational films about those subjects will capture their attention, and they will be compelled to learn.

Look for educational value

You should select films suitable for toddlers that will help the child learn something new, e.g., recognize shapes, count numbers, or understand good and bad behavior.

Larger children can learn from movies with more concept-development subjects, such as history, science, or solving issues similar to those taught in school.

Pay attention to movie length

Young children, in particular, can be impatient and are more likely not to be able to sit through the entire show without getting bored.

Selecting a movie that is of the right length for their age will help them remain interested without getting bored or restless.

If you are seeking out animated short films, ensure you find ones that are shorter, or if you are considering a longer film, try to break it into several viewing sessions.

10 best kids movies on YouTube

Finding a safe, educational, and entertaining movie for kids to watch on YouTube can be an arduous task, given the options available.

Here is a list of 10 funny and informative YouTube kid’s movies to save time.

1. The Gruffalo

The well-known children’s animated short film The Gruffalo is based on the children’s book that narrates how an intelligent mouse uses imagination to create a monster to fend off predators. The Gruffalo, which resembles a buffalo, is the imaginary monster the mouse claims he’s about to meet.  

This excellent, colorful, outstanding movie can positively impact child creativity and is perfect for younger kids. It’s perfect for storytelling as it is comical and has colorful illustrations.

• Free
• Age: 3-6 years
• Rating: G

2. Octonauts & The Ring of Fire

Are your kids curious about the ocean and what lies at its bottom? Octonauts and the ring of fire would be the perfect movie for them. It involves an underwater exploration company, the Octonauts, going on a rescue mission to save creatures affected by sheer volcanic activity.

Not only does the action thrill the viewers, but the movie also educates them on issues related to marine animals and the environment.

• Paid
• Age: 4-8 years
• Rating: TV-Y

3. Paddington

This program shares the real-life story of a bear, Paddington, who comes from Peru but later settles in London. It’s funny and touching, encouraging inclusion, courtesy, and love for one’s family. Paddington uses basic-level language and helps promote positive social messages your kid would really benefit from.

• Free
• Age: 6-10 years
• Rating: PG

4. The Secret Garden

This beautiful movie is adapted from a famous book about a little girl who finds a secret garden.

It is a heartwarming and creative movie focusing on factors such as friendship, recovery, and the spirit of nature as some significant aspects appealing to preadolescent kids.

• Paid
• Age: 7-12 years
• Rating: PG

5. Curious George: Happy Very Monkey Christmas

In this fun holiday feature, Curious George and the man with the yellow hat get in the holiday spirit and prepare for Christmas.

The storyline is relatively uncomplicated, and the characters are rather cheerful; it’s a good children’s book for toddlers. Kids can learn about the importance of sharing and giving in this movie.

• Free
• Age: 2-5 years
• Rating: G

6. Charlotte’s Web (1973)

This animated version of E.B. White’s picture book shares the heartwarming tale of a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte, who helps to prevent Wilbur’s demise.

The movie strongly focuses on friendship, loyalty, and the sacrifices friends make for one another, which is both moving and informative. You can use this movie to teach your kids about empathy and compassion.

• Paid
• Age: 6-11 years
• Rating: G

7. Tinker Bell

Tinker Bell plays the main character in this movie, in which she discovers her skills and understands the value of unity despite their differences.

The movie is a very positive and inspirational fairytale for children that will help to develop their imagination and positive self-image.

• Free
• Age: 5-9 years
• Rating: G

8. The Boxcar Children

Authorities take away four children living in a boxcar, and two of them discover their lost siblings.

The story is about hard work, patience, and cooperation, accompanied by fun and adventure. Its main idea is built around problem-solving and independence, encouraging older children to cherish family ties and be able to take care of themselves.

• Paid
• Age: 7-12 years
• Rating: G

9. Moana

This sweet-bitter and stunning Disney movie tells the story of a girl called Moana who goes on a quest to become a hero of her island.

Specifically, she gains insights into courage, the concept of the leader, and culture. Moana is ideal for children who like bright colors, toe-tapping tunes, and uplifting messages about bravery and identity.

• Paid
• Age: 5-10 years
• Rating: PG

10. The Lorax

The Lorax is a fantastic movie that brings to life one of Dr. Seuss’s books and sends a powerful message about the environment. It’s about a young boy who has to go on a mission to save a forest, teaching about environmental conservation.

The Lorax is suitable for children interested in environmental matters, as it challenges them to make sound decisions about them.

• Free
• Age: 6-10 years
• Rating: PG

Is it safe for kids to watch on YouTube?

While YouTube can be entertaining for children, there are also certain negatives associated with it, such as wrong content, commercials, and other videos that are not appropriate for kids.

Although there are strict age restrictions on the usage of YouTube movies, it is always safer to be careful; one can use a YouTube kids app or even block specific content.

It is necessary to control the amount of time your child spends watching videos and select YouTube movies suitable for students of a particular age.

How to ensure safe viewing for kids on YouTube?  

Parents must ensure their kids’ safety when watching their favorite videos on YouTube or any other social media platform.

Tip 1. Use YouTube Kids platform

YouTube Kids is a platform created by Google to provide a safe and more controlled environment for kids to explore their interests through videos.

Step 1. Install the YouTube Kids application.

Step 2. Sign up for a child’s account.

Step 3. Enter your child’s age.

Step 4. Use filters for appropriate content.

Step 5. Monitor view history.

Tip 2. Set up parental control – turn on the Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode is a YouTube parental control feature that enables you to filter mature content from certain family members who may be using YouTube.  

Step 1. Open the YouTube application and click on “Settings.”

Step 2. Enable Restricted Mode.

Step 3. Click the ‘Refresh’ button to apply changes.

Step 4. Control the content your child watches.

Tip 3. Turn to a parental control app

There are quality applications that can be used to supplement and enhance security, such as FlashGet Kids.

It provides features such as remote supervision, content filtering, and screen time, thus allowing you more control over your child’s interaction with YouTube and other platforms.

Bonus: Top YouTube channels for kids’ movies

Regarding searching for safe and educational content in various fields suitable for children, YouTube has several channels for children.

These channels also encompass fun and learning and inspire imagination through storytelling, music, and play.

• PBS Kids
• Disney Junior
• National Geographic Kids
• Storyline Online
• Blippi

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve carefully curated the 10 best YouTube Kids movies you can comfortably allow your kid to watch. Finding appropriate, safe, and educational videos for children on YouTube can be achieved using YouTube Kids and Parental Control options.

These resources also help ensure that the children are only exposed to materials that are good for learning while at the same time being engaged.

To have additional safety measures, it is suggested that FlashGet Kids be used because it allows the parents to monitor and block the contents that are deemed unfit for children.

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