5 Top YouTube Alternatives for Kids

YouTube dominates the streaming market, but boundless content means not all of it is suitable for children. As parents and guardians, unsupervised access risks exposure to inappropriate content, predatory behavior, and age-inappropriate advertisements. 

Is YouTube Safe for Children?

YouTube Kids is a far safer platform than regular YouTube. Accessible through both web and app platforms, it’s designed to provide a secure digital space filled with enjoyable and educational content tailored specifically for children up to 12 years old.

Despite YouTube's concerted efforts to create a safe environment, persistent concerns about inappropriate content on the platform continue to arise. A recent study revealed that 27% of children aged eight and under end up watching videos intended for older audiences, often containing violence, mature themes, or disturbing imagery. In some alarming instances, advertisements promoting unhealthy junk food, inappropriate products, and even predatory content have also infiltrated the supposedly child-friendly space.

What Are The Alternatives to YouTube for Kids?

The good news is that numerous educational video platforms for kids have emerged as reliable alternatives. Here's a comprehensive list of quality education and entertainment apps for kids:

1. Disney+

Embark on an enchanting journey with Disney+, a premium streaming service that weaves the magic of Disney into the digital realm, captivating the hearts and imaginations of children of all ages. 

Tailored to be a safe haven for kids, Disney+ goes far beyond mere entertainment, offering a carefully curated collection of movies, shows, documentaries, and exclusive content that caters to a diverse, multigenerational audience while maintaining strict content standards.

Pros:

• It has an extensive content library. E.g Animated classics, original series, Marvel, Star Wars, nature documentaries, and educational programming.

• Balance of entertainment and subtle educational value.

• Ad-free experience for uninterrupted viewing.

• Intuitive, user-friendly interface suitable for families.

• Strong parental controls for safe navigation.

Cons:

• No separate app designed specifically for children.

Pricing: $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually

2. KidsBeeTV

For parents seeking a familiar YouTube-esque experience with an added layer of educational precision and safety, KidsBeeTV stands out as a compelling kid-safe YouTube alternative. 

Specifically tailored for preschoolers and early elementary-aged children, this innovative app presents a meticulously curated selection of video content that mirrors YouTube’s visual appeal and user experience while maintaining strict educational standards.

Pros:

• Every video is handpicked by certified educators and child development specialists.

• Makes screen time about active learning with quizzes, games, and guided activities.

• User-friendly interface designed for children and parents.

• Includes parental controls for safe navigation.

• Regularly updated with new content.

• Offers a generous 14-day free trial.

Cons:

• Smaller content library than YouTube since only curated videos make the cut.

• Limited to the app environment (no broad video variety outside its curated list).

• Price is reasonable for curated, educational content but higher than free alternatives.

Pricing: 14-day free trial, $7.99 per month after trial.

3. Nick Jr.

Nick Jr. consistently secures its place among the elite tier of children's entertainment channels, delivering incredibly diverse, age-appropriate content suitable for toddlers through high school students. 

Pros:

• Mirrors the quality of Nick Jr. television broadcasts.

• Secure, ad-free environment.

• Content on the app matches what airs on TV.

• Reliable and consistent programming that parents can trust.

• User-friendly interface suitable for young children.

• Free to download and use.

Cons:

• Some premium shows may require a cable subscription to access all episodes.

• Smaller content variety compared to fully paid streaming services.

Pricing: Free to download and use with optional premium content

4. Netflix

Make the most of your existing Netflix subscription by creating and customizing a dedicated profile for your child. Within Netflix's vast, ever-expanding library, a treasure trove of thousands of movies and shows awaits discovery, and there's an entire comprehensive section specifically crafted for kids of all ages. 

Pros:

• Vast content library of TV shows, movies, animated films, documentaries, and educational series.

• Age-appropriate entertainment for toddlers through teenagers.

• Integrated into the main Netflix platform for a seamless family experience.

• Robust parental controls, which include content restrictions, setting maturity ratings, require PINs, and limiting viewing time.

Cons:

• No separate app exclusively for kids may put some parents off.

• Some parental controls require effort to set up and manage effectively.

Pricing: Plans vary, typically starting around $6.99–$15.99 per month.

5. Kidoodle.TV

 

Kidoodle.TV is an excellent kid-safe YouTube alternative streaming service similar to YouTube Kids but with a distinctive, more comprehensive approach to parental control and professional content curation. Specifically geared towards children up to the age of 12, Kidoodle.TV provides an entirely secure digital space for your little ones to explore a diverse plethora of age-appropriate content safely. 

Pros:

• Extensive content library with a mix of learning and entertainment content, such as stories, educational music videos, science experiments, and arts and crafts content.

• Unique monitoring and curation system involving parents and certified educators.

• Comprehensive parental controls: set time limits, disable specific videos/channels, create custom playlists.

• Free to use with no hidden costs or premium tiers.

Cons:

• Lacks some of the advanced features or high-production content found on paid platforms.

• Interface may feel basic compared to mainstream streaming services.
  

Pricing: Completely free, no subscription or hidden costs.

 

Top Kid-Friendly Safety Tips

1. Don't Leave Them Unattended Online

Using your iPad to entertain your child can be tempting during busy periods. Make an effort to sit down and watch content with them whenever possible.

Observe what content attracts their attention, how they navigate apps, the search terms they use, and whether anything inappropriate appears. Regular monitoring is key to digital safety.

Talk with your child about internet safety. Explain why personal information shouldn’t be shared and what steps to take if they encounter something uncomfortable online.

2. Set Up the iPad’s Parental Controls

Take advantage of the iPad's parental controls. iPads running on iOS 12 and later allows you to set strict limits on total screen time using a separate, secure passcode that only parents know. Alternatively, you can impose precise age-related restrictions across apps, books, movies, television shows, and even music across all connected devices in your family ecosystem. You can completely prevent music playback with explicit content and block movies or TV shows with specific ratings that you deem inappropriate.

Kid-friendly video apps also have individual ratings that can be configured using comprehensive content restrictions within iOS settings. These settings can automatically filter website content, limiting access to adult content in Safari and other apps on your iPad. You can also manually add specific websites to an approved whitelist or blocked blacklist, or restrict access to only pre-authorized websites that you've personally vetted and approved.

3. Choose a Kid-Safe iPad Case

While an iPad case may not directly relate to internet safety and safe YouTube alternatives for kids, it plays a pivotal, often overlooked role in safeguarding your iPad’s longevity, especially regarding the inherently unpredictable nature of children's behavior. 

As delightful and curious as children are, they tend to be significantly less gentle with their electronic belongings. Whether it's accidental slips from small hands, sudden falls from couches or beds, or the device being casually tossed aside after watching their favorite show, an iPad can encounter various physical hazards and potential damage in the hands of even the most careful little ones.

This is where the ZUGU case comes in. A genuine game-changer in comprehensive device protection. The premium cases go far beyond simple aesthetics or basic protection. It's a fortress for your iPad that enhances any viewing experience.

Browse ZUGU's range of iPad cases to help your child watch and learn comfortably and safely while enjoying their favorite kid-friendly content.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do parental controls work on video apps for children?

Parental control typically offers multiple layers of protection, including content filtering by age ratings, time limits for viewing sessions, restricted search capabilities, blocked comments and social features, and PIN-protected settings that prevent children from changing restrictions. Most platforms allow parents to create supervised profiles, monitor viewing history, and receive detailed reports about their child's digital activity.

Are YouTube Kids really safer than YouTube?

While YouTube Kids offers better content filtering and parental control features than regular YouTube, it's not foolproof. Studies have shown that inappropriate content can still slip through automated filters. Many parents find dedicated, safe YouTube alternatives for kids like Kidoodle.TV, KidsBeeTV, or Disney+ provide more reliable content curation with human oversight rather than relying solely on algorithms.

Can I find ad-free children's content for free?

Several kid-friendly video apps offer free, ad-free content, including Nick Jr. and Kidoodle.TV, and PBS Kids. However, premium platforms like Disney+ and Netflix (with existing subscriptions) provide larger libraries of high-quality, completely ad-free content. Many educational video platforms for kids offer free tiers with limited content and paid upgrades for full access.

Which apps offer both education and entertainment for kids?

The best educational video platforms for kids that balance learning with fun include KidsBeeTV (educator-curated content with interactive elements), Disney+ (nature documentaries and educational series), PBS Kids (curriculum-based programming), and Khan Academy Kids (comprehensive learning activities). These platforms prove that safe YouTube alternatives for kids can be engaging and academically valuable.

How much do premium safe video platforms cost?

Pricing for kid-safe YouTube alternative platforms varies: Disney+ costs $7.99/month, Netflix starts at $6.99/month for basic plans, KidsBeeTV charges $7.99/month, while free options include Nick Jr., Kidoodle.TV, and PBS Kids. Many platforms offer free trials, allowing families to test features before committing to subscriptions.

How do I set up screen time limits or content filters on kids' video apps?

Most video apps with parental control allow you to set daily or weekly time limits, schedule viewing windows, and filter content by age ratings directly within the app settings. Both iOS and Android devices offer built-in screen time controls that work across all installed apps. For comprehensive protection, combine app-specific controls with device-level restrictions and maintain open communication about healthy digital habits with your children.