Although our DIY summer science camp has been primarily hands on, and we are a mostly screen-free home, I thought I’d let you in on a little secret. Sometimes we watch a few educational science videos for kids on YouTube!
Obviously I am a great advocate of books, and we simply adore the monthly do it yourself science box full of goodies from Tinker Crate (affiliate link) but there are a lot of terrific science videos for kids out there on YouTube to supplement your child’s STEM education. Plus, sometimes — when your kids are with you 24/7 during the hottest months of the year, you need a little breather!
Science YouTube Videos
Sick Science. Science giant Steve Spangler has a ton of science videos across several YouTube channels and they are all worth checking out. Sick Science! specializes in simple but awesome at home science experiments.
MinutePhysics covers a ton of topics and my kids especially like the ones related to space. However, they also enjoyed this video answering the very important question, “is it better to walk or run in the rain?”
MinuteEarth is also a hit, the topics are slightly more, ahem, grounded than MinutePhysics.
Brusspup has crazy science videos that focus on illusions. The videos vary in quality, with the more recent ones being the best. My kids were fascinated by this circle illusion!
Bill Nye the Science Guy. You may be watching YouTube, but you can still go retro with old Bill Nye the Science Guy episodes and clips. Bill Nye appears in many recent science videos, too, but it’s fun to watch these again with my kids. A list of clips is here,
Veritasium. For kids who like avariety of topics, Veritasium is a fun channel to explore. The videos are varied, there are interviews, test your knowledge challenges and science explanations. Got a dare devil? Encourage him to watch this video about rocket science.
Periodic Videos. There was a time when my oldest son was obsessed with the periodic table. This science YouTube channel has a video for each element, plus loads of extras. We particularly like their slo mo videos. Also: check out the hair.
I cannot end without sharing my son’s absolute favorite biology YouTube channel: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He is a bird nut and could watch these videos for hours if I would let him.
Of course there are many other science videos and channels for kids on YouTube, but in the interest of keeping this post manageable, I’ll stop here.
This wraps up our DIY Summer Science Camp collaboration with Coffee Cups and Crayons. I hope Megan and I have inspired you to give science learning at home a try. Science learning doesn’t have to be complicated. After all, if this theater major mom can manage science with her kids, anyone can!
See all our DIY Science Camp ideas!
On this blog: Ice cube on a string, Solar oven, Homemade compass, Balloon rocket race, Leak proof bag, Simple science lab, Simple machine play with a pulley
At Coffee Cups and Crayons: Mentos geyser, Dancing raisins, Liquid layers, Homemade silly putty, Magic milk, Exploding baggie, Walking water, Rock candy
Ann says
I watched these with my kids and it was a nice change from the Minecraft videos they usually watch. My daughter loved the whiteboard guy and my son’s favorite was the optical illusion. Hopefully this will inspire them to watch more science videos!
Natalie PlanetSmartyPants says
This is a great post. We discovered periodic videos recently, and they rock. Thanks for writing about others!
Gwen says
Excellent list. We are big fans of Bill Nye but can’t wait t check out more of these. Thanks so much!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Enjoy!
birute efe says
thank you so much. This will be a GREAT help for me when doing science with my kids!
rdcamy says
Crash course , smarter every day, pds channel,
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks!
Sarah W says
May I add in addition to Crash Course, one of their other channels SidEshow? It’s great for answering simple questions and getting kids (and possibly yourself) up to date with the latest science news.
Sarah W says
Oh dear, silly phone. I meant SciShow. Ignore the E.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Laura says
This is a cute kid who lives here in Jacksonville, Florida
Laura says
oops sorry forgot the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSsAlIjmPDVnPtMCseirDg
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
dawn says
The first Bill Nye link you have listed is no longer good, but the second one works
thank you for a great list
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for letting me know. I’ve fixed it.
John Wilkerson says
Great list! I have a similar list on my blog.
Ruth says
I would also suggest checking out “The Curiosity Show”. A brilliant show that my son loves.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion, Ruth!
Sarah says
We love Smarter Every Day! My kids love it!
Alisa says
I need to put a plug in for Untamed Science! Rob & his crew are excellent and educational. My two (8&6) LOVE watching them!!! (P.S. Check out “The Cell Song” for a rapping mitochondrion.)
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
K McGuire says
I like “Smarter Every Day” – https://www.youtube.com/SmarterEveryDay
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Sara says
We love Smarter Every Day! They have recently begun doing Scishowkids and CrashCoursekids too!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRFIPG2u1DxKLNuE3y2SjHA
https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you for the suggestion!
Lori says
Great list! We’ll have to check out a couple of them, some we already know and love. My kids also like Smarter Every Day, ASAP science, and Vsauce.
Stefanie says
That jetpack one is REALLY cool.