YouTube workout channels for kids

I do a fair amount of confessing on this blog. (Read my post “I’m not that mom” and you’ll see what I mean.) What I’m confessing this time is that I never intended to write this. If you receive my emails, you read a list of content I am planning on writing. So what happened? A friend of mine was reading my post on YouTube workout videos for moms, and emailed asking if I had any recommendations for YouTube workout channels for kids. So there you go. Faithful reader request trumps other content.

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Wading through the workouts

There is no shortage of YouTube workout channels for kids. Because of the current shelter in place situation, parents are looking for ways to get kids moving who are stuck inside. Content creators are rising to the challenge and posting different kinds of workout videos for kids.

My criteria for choosing workout channels

I watched lots and lots of videos. At first I decided not to include any videos that I found annoying. Then I realized that what I found annoying, as a mom who has no more toddlers, could be very enjoyable to a preschooler. So I set my snobbery aside and tried to look at the videos from a child’s perspective.

In doing so, I decided that the videos had to have relatable instructors. If there were no kids in the videos, the instructors needed to be engaging. The productions also had to be of good quality.

My top picks for kids workout videos

Disclaimer

I did not watch every single video on each of the channels. I sampled each channel. Please make sure to preview the videos before showing them to your children to make sure you are comfortable with the content.

Workouts for younger kiddos

Time4KidsTV

On this channel five videos are labeled “Exercise songs.” Go to “playlists” and choose “Season 1 Time4KidsTV.” There you will see the exercise songs. Each video shows kids, in front of bright, colorful backgrounds, dancing to kids’ songs. The moves are fun and easy for kids to follow.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

This site describes itself as, “Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+..” The instructor takes a very creative approach to leading kids through yoga poses. She does it through stories she calls “yoga adventures.” Though mostly directed at little ones, she has labeled a few “for older kids.” Some of the themes she uses are Minecraft and Star Wars.

Please note that the instructor does start her videos saying “Namaste.” She also conducts episodes titled “zen den” in which she teaches kids about mindfulness. If that bothers you, skip the first 30 seconds or so of the exercise videos and skip the zen den segments.

TheLearningStation

At first I wasn’t sure about including this channel. I found it slightly cringy, but then discovered that the people behind the channel were educators. On their website you can find downloadable activity pages with ideas to keep your kids busy.

The link I gave is actually to their website, not YouTube. I wanted you to be able to look at not only the videos they offer, but also the activity pages I mentioned above. You can access all of their YouTube videos from their site. The ones I watched are “Brain Breaks Action Songs.” They show kids doing different motions to kids’ songs. The kids in the videos are older, maybe upper elementary to middle school, so that may appeal to more ages.

Get Kids Moving

This channel is a dream combination for parents whose kids love superheroes. The “instructors” in the videos are dressed as superheroes and other well known characters. The backdrops look like scenes from movies, and the music sounds like soundtrack music.

I was very impressed by this channel. Instead of just movement to music, the instructors do actual exercises which they cleverly name. For example, in the Captain America video, he does exercises labeled “hydra blasts.” The superheroes don’t speak, but demonstrate the exercises. The videos are each about 5 minutes long.

Another plus to this channel is that all proceeds from the channel go to NHS. I presume NHS is the National Health Service, a healthcare system in the United Kingdom. On the GetKidsMoving channel page, they have pictures of superheroes, including someone wearing a medical mask and scrubs.

Workouts for varied ages, including teens

Zumba with Dovydas

This channel is run by a Zumba instructor from Lithuania. Since he doesn’t speak in his videos, you don’t need a translator to watch them. I found five Zumba workouts for kids on his channel.

From his channel page, go to “videos” on the menu bar. The kids’ videos are toward the top. In his most recent segments, he is with his daughters, most likely on quarantine. He does use pop music with some of his kid workouts, so you might want to check those out first if you are concerned about that.

Les Mills Born to Move

This channel has workouts for ages 4-5, 6-7, pre-teens and teens. I was glad to see that three videos were specifically geared for teens. Though many of them are dance inspired, the teen classes in particular focus on exercise moves (squats, punches, kicks, etc. ).

Sadly, it looks like they haven’t added any new videos for the last two years. I went to the Les Mills website, and discovered that the company conducts workouts in gyms and online (with a membership). The YouTube videos are offered for free, maybe as a sample of what you receive in a membership.

The workouts are short, about 5 minutes. I did find longer segments here. There are three 20 minute videos available. If you click on “videos” from the menu, scroll down to find them. They have one for 6-7 year-olds, 8-12 year-olds, and one for 13-16 year-olds.

Body Fit by Amy

If you read my mom’s YouTube workout channel post, you might recognize this channel. From Amy’s homepage, click on “playlists.” Scroll down and “Brain Breaks” is the last playlist on the page. These 5 minute videos are designed to get kids moving and give their brains a break from schoolwork. Amy demonstrates the moves with a girl who I’m guessing is about middle school aged. The videos look like they are fun to do, and Amy is very engaging.

Single workouts

Family workout on PopSugar Fitness

You may recognize this channel as well from my previous post. In this 13 minute video, the host, Anna, works out with a family of four. As always, the quality of the segments on this channel are high.

Moe Jones Kids Workout 1 and Kids HIIT Workout –

Workout 1 is 16 minutes long and features some classic physical fitness moves. Moe Jones exercises along with two elementary aged girls.

The HIIT workout is 30 minutes long and looks like a great workout. In this video, Moe works out with both boys and girls. Your kids will be worn out after this one!

Let me mention that Moe Jones does have a channel and other workouts for kids. I went to his homepage and found that it was a bit of a hodge podge of videos. It was a little difficult to find the workouts. I did watch some of his other kids’ exercise segments and didn’t think they were up to the same standard as the two I mentioned.

Jumping Jax Gym

This is a 25 minute video meant for kids and parents. The instructor works out with older elementary aged kids and does some classic exercise moves. It’s too bad that they only have one video available.

I hope you find something here that your kids will enjoy. Whether you’re stuck inside due to a pandemic or bad weather, you’ll be able to get your kids moving!