Complete YouTube Kids Setup Guide
Set up YouTube Kids properly from the start — content levels, search controls, and parent verification.
Quick answer: Download YouTube Kids, create a child profile linked to your Google account, choose between age-based content or Approved content only, and configure search and autoplay settings. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
Step-by-step setup
- Download YouTube Kids from the App Store or Google Play
- Sign in with your Google account (the parent account)
- Create a child profile — enter your child's name, age, and select an avatar
- Choose a content level:
- Preschool (4 and under): Promotes creativity, playfulness, learning
- Younger (5-8): Songs, cartoons, crafts, early learning
- Older (9-12): Music videos, gaming, science, and more
- Approved content only: Only videos/channels YOU select (strictest)
- Configure search — turn off if you want your child to only browse curated content
- Set the parent passcode — this protects the settings from being changed
Recommended settings by age
| Age | Content level | Search | Autoplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | Approved content only or Preschool | Off | Off |
| 5-7 | Younger or Approved content only | Off | Off |
| 8-10 | Older (with parent review) | Optional | Off |
When YouTube Kids isn't enough
YouTube Kids works well for younger children, but older kids often want access to regular YouTube content that isn't available in the Kids app. Options for transitioning:
- Supervised YouTube account: Regular YouTube with content level restrictions (via Family Link)
- WhitelistVideo: Regular YouTube with a parent-approved channel list, plus Block Shorts, Hide Comments, and more. Best for kids who've outgrown YouTube Kids but still need guardrails. Learn more
Sources
- YouTube Kids parental controls — Google
- Available content in YouTube Kids — Google