How to Start a YouTube Channel for Kids

So, you want to start a YouTube channel for kids? That's awesome! It can be a lot of fun and a great way to share cool stuff with kids. But, it's super important to keep them safe. You need to make sure the videos are good for kids and that they like them. This guide will show you how to make a great YouTube channel for kids that's both fun and safe!

Why Start a YouTube Channel for Kids?

YouTube lets you talk to kids all over the world! You can share things you love to do. Here's why you might want to make a YouTube channel for kids:

• Let your creativity shine! Kids can tell stories, sing songs, draw, and more!
• Teach cool stuff! You can make videos about science, history, or even how to read!
• Have fun! Make videos that make kids laugh and smile.
• Learn new skills! Making videos can help kids learn how to talk to people, work with others, and use computers.
• Maybe make some money. If your channel gets popular, you could earn some money. But, that shouldn't be the main reason you do it.

Step 1: Planning Your Kid-Friendly YouTube Channel

Before you hit record, you need a plan. Think about these things:

1. What's Your Thing?

What kind of kid-friendly videos will you make? What are you good at? What do you like? Here are some ideas:

• Learn cool stuff! (like science experiments or learning a new language)
• Read stories!
• Make art!
• Sing and dance!
• Look at toys!
• Play games (only good ones!)
• Show what you do (but be careful!)

2. Who's Watching?

Who are you making videos for? Are they little kids or older kids? What do they like? Make videos that fit them. A channel for toddlers will be different than one for pre-teens.

3. Get Ideas!

Write down a bunch of video ideas. What fits your thing and the kids watching? Use the internet to find out what's popular for children's entertainment. Make lots of different videos so kids keep watching.

4. Make a Schedule

Decide when you'll post new videos. This helps you stay on track. If you post videos often, kids will keep coming back!

Step 2: Keeping Kids Safe Online

Online safety is the most important thing. You must protect the kids watching and follow YouTube's rules. Here's how:

1. Follow the Law!

Learn about COPPA. It's a law that says how you can collect information from kids under 13 online. Make sure your channel follows COPPA rules. This means:

• Get permission from parents before collecting info from kids.
• Don't collect too much info.
• Tell people how you keep their info safe.

2. Use YouTube Kids

Use YouTube Kids. It's a special app just for kids. It blocks bad videos and makes it safer for them. This is really important if your videos are for little kids.

3. Watch the Comments!

Check the comments on your videos. If you can't watch them all the time, turn them off. Remove any bad comments and block people who are mean. This makes it a safer place for everyone.

4. Keep Secrets Safe!

Don't share private stuff about kids in your videos. Don't say their full name, age, where they live, or what school they go to. Teach kids about staying safe online and tell them to tell a grown-up if they see something weird.

5. Watch Out for Bad People!

Be careful about bad people online. If you see something bad, tell YouTube and the police. The most important thing is to keep the kids safe!

Step 3: Making Great Kid-Friendly Videos

Good videos get kids to watch and keep watching. Here's how to make cool kid-friendly videos:

1. Use Good Stuff!

Get a good camera, microphone, and lights. This makes your videos look and sound better. Kids will pay attention more if they can see and hear you well.

2. Write It Down!

Plan your videos before you start. Write down what you want to say. This helps you stay on track. Use easy words that kids can understand.

3. Short and Sweet!

Kids don't pay attention for long. Keep your videos short. Little kids should watch videos for 5-10 minutes. Older kids can watch for 10-15 minutes.

4. Use Fun Stuff!

Add colors, cartoons, and music to your videos. This makes them more fun to watch. Pick music that's good for kids and that you can use without getting in trouble.

5. Talk to Them!

Ask kids questions. Have polls and contests. Talk back to them in the comments. This makes them feel like they're part of something.

6. Teach and Have Fun!

Make videos that are both fun and teach something. Mix fun things with learning things. This makes your videos more helpful.

Step 4: Making Your YouTube Channel Easy to Find

You need to make your channel easy to find so more kids watch. Here's how to make your YouTube channel better:

1. Pick a Cool Name

Pick a name that's easy to remember, easy to spell, and about your videos. Add words about children's entertainment so people can find you.

2. Make a Cool Banner and Picture

Make a cool picture and banner for your channel. Use bright colors and pictures that kids like. This gets people to notice you.

3. Tell People What You Do

Write a good description of your channel. Say what your channel is about and what kids can expect. Add words about what you do and who your videos are for. This helps YouTube know what your channel is about and show it to the right people.

4. Name Your Videos Right!

Name your videos, write descriptions, and add tags with the right words. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find out what words people are using. This helps your videos show up higher in search results.

5. Make Good Pictures

Make good pictures for your videos. Use bright colors, clear pictures, and cool words to get people to click on your videos. A good picture can get a lot more people to watch.

6. Use Playlists

Put your videos into playlists. This makes it easy for people to find more videos to watch. Playlists can also make people watch your channel longer.

Step 5: Getting the Word Out

You need to tell people about your channel so more people watch. Here are some ways to do that:

1. Share on Social Media

Share your videos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Talk to your followers and get them to share your videos with their friends.

2. Work with Other YouTubers

Work with other YouTubers who make videos for kids. This helps you get more people to watch your channel. Find channels that are like yours.

3. Talk in Online Groups

Talk in online groups and forums about kids' entertainment. Share your videos and talk to people to show that you know what you're doing.

4. Have Contests!

Have contests to get people to subscribe to your channel and share your videos. This is a good way to get more subscribers.

5. Use YouTube Ads

Think about using YouTube Ads to show your channel and videos to more people. YouTube Ads can help you get more people to your channel. Make sure you show your ads to the right people.

Making Money (If You Want To)

Making money isn't the most important thing, but it can be a nice extra for a good how to youtube kids channel. Here's how:

• YouTube Partner Program (YPP): Once you get 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in a year, you can join the YPP.
• Ads: Show ads on your videos and get paid when people see or click on them.
• Channel Memberships: Let people pay to be a member of your channel and get special stuff.
• Sell Stuff: Sell things with your channel's name on them.
• Super Chat: Let people pay to have their messages shown during live streams.

Remember: The most important thing is to make good videos for kids. Making money should be second. And always follow YouTube's rules, especially the ones about kids.

Conclusion: Making a Great and Safe YouTube Channel for Kids

Starting a YouTube channel for kids can be great! If you follow this guide, you can make a safe, fun, and popular channel that makes kids happy and helps them learn. Remember to keep kids online safety first, make good videos, and tell people about your channel. If you try hard and are creative, you can build a great community and help kids in a good way. Good luck!