Prevent Summer Learning Loss With 27 YouTube Channels Kids Actually Love

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That’s So Montessori is reader-supported, contains affiliate links, and is a member of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When you buy through links on our site, you may be purchasing our products or we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated. Thank you!

As an elementary teacher and a stepmom, I know how important it is to prevent summer learning loss, especially after kids have worked so hard all year. That’s why it’s important to keep a list of simple, engaging ways to keep their minds active during the break.

One easy way to keep learning going? Educational YouTube channels.

Ok, so YouTube might not be the first thing you think of for learning, but it’s a goldmine for curious kids. With just a few clicks, they can explore the world, build new skills, and stay school-ready, all while having fun.

āš ļø Before You Go Any Further āš ļø

Here are three quick teacher tips before sharing videos with kids:

🚫 Turn off Ads
Use this tip from Peace, Love, Tech to disable YouTube ads for young viewers.

šŸ‘šŸ» YouTube Parental Control
YouTubeKids is a great place to go for kid-friendly screen-time. Learn more about parental control in this Howfinity video.

šŸ‘€ Watch Before Sharing
Always preview the videos you share with your learners beforehand to make sure that everything in the video aligns with what you consider appropriate for your home or classroom.

YouTube is full of amazing creators who make learning fun and exciting for kids. We’ve rounded up some of the best channels to support learning at home or in the classroom, and help prevent summer learning loss along the way. These channels cover a wide range of topics and make you feel good about screen time learning!

Turn Screen Time Into Learning Time This Summer

Before we jump into this YouTube adventure, let’s talk about balance. Screen time can be a great tool, but like anything else, it works best in moderation.

As parents, educators, and caregivers, our goal is to find that sweet spot where technology supports learning without taking over. That balance will look different for every family, and that’s okay.

A photo of an elementary-aged girl sitting at a table looking down at her tablet. One hand is approaching the tablet to touch. She is learning through technology, a fun way to prevent the summer brain drain.

YouTube is packed with educational content that can keep kids curious and engaged during the summer break. But it’s important to use it with intention, not as a constant stream of content, but as a meaningful resource to support learning.

Here’s the exciting part: when used thoughtfully, educational YouTube channels can help prevent summer learning loss. The ones we’re sharing below offer everything from science experiments to history deep-dives – content that sparks imagination, builds knowledge, and makes learning feel like fun.

Elementary-aged Asian girl learning at home by coding robot cars and electronic board cables in STEM, helping her prevent summer learning loss.

Perfect for homeschoolers and families with elementary-aged kids, these channels keep learning alive throughout the summer in fun and engaging ways. They also ensure screen time stays positive and intentional, making every minute count.

27 YouTube Channels to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

You’ll find videos here from YouTube channels covering these subjects:
šŸ”¬ Science
šŸ”¢ Math
šŸŒ Geography
ā³ History
ā›¹šŸ¾ā€ā™‚ļø Physical Education
🦁 Zoology
šŸŽØ Arts and Crafts

The YouTube channels outlined below are entertaining and filled with interesting information that can stimulate young minds and boost their brainpower.

šŸ’” Teacher Tip: Always Preview Videos First āš ļø
YouTube has tons of great educational content, but it’s important to watch videos before sharing them with kids. This helps make sure the material is age-appropriate and fits each child’s learning needs.

Every child is different, so taking a few minutes to check videos ensures a safe and positive learning experience tailored just for them.

An adult woman sitting with a laptop in front of her on the table. She is reviewing videos for her child to watch.

šŸ”¬ Science Channels

Science-focused YouTube channels are great for elementary learners. They offer fun experiments and clear explanations that make science exciting and easy to understand.

SciShow Kids

Discover the wonders of science with SciShow Kids, covering everything from animals and plants to space and cool experiments.

Perfect for younger learners, the episodes are engaging and make learning fun, helping to prevent summer learning loss.

In this lesson, Jessi and Squeaks learn about amazing places where it almost never rains.

Kids can join Jessi, Squeaks, and special guests from the Fort to explore the wonders of water!

Crash Course Kids

Explore science with this fun series that makes learning easy and exciting!

These short videos, hosted by Sabrina, are full of interesting facts that keep kids engaged. They’re perfect for sparking curiosity and introducing new topics.

In this crash course, Sabrina explains what matter is in a clear and relatable way.

Sabrina explains weather patterns in this quick crash course.

This video explores what living things eat and explains omnivores, carnivores, herbivores, and plants.

The Dad Lab

The Dad Lab is perfect for hands-on science fun at home.

Created by Sergei, a dad of two curious boys, this channel is packed with simple science experiments and creative activities that kids can try using everyday materials.

In this video, The Dad Lab shows kids how to make a lava lamp at home with just a few easy ingredients.

The Dad Lab shares 5 fun kitchen science experiments you can try at home, some are tasty, some are messy, and all end in smiles!


šŸ”¢ Math Channels

While many teachers prefer dice games and card games to build math skills, YouTube can also be a great tool. Plenty of channels offer clear explanations, step-by-step strategies, and engaging visuals to help kids strengthen their math foundation.

Try these math channels and see how they hold the attention of your elementary child.

NUMBEROCK

This fantastic math YouTube channel uses catchy songs and fun animations to teach key math concepts.

From multiplication and fractions to decimals and place value, NUMBEROCK a great resource for helping kids remember and enjoy math while preventing summer learning loss.

Here’s a catchy song about multiplying by multiples of 10.

Ted Ed

Ted Ed, the renowned educational platform, offers a vast catalog of captivating talks, including a variety of math-related content perfect for elementary kids.

Just search ā€œTED-Ed mathā€ to find engaging lessons, brain teasers, and fun math puzzles that spark curiosity and make learning exciting for young learners.

This TED-Ed video reveals the science behind Michael Jordan’s slam dunk hang time, explaining how physics makes it possible.

Homeschool Pop

When it comes to math, Homeschool Pop provides an extensive collection of videos packed with valuable information that can certianly counter summer learning loss.

While some videos may be longer in duration, they offer a comprehensive exploration of math concepts, ensuring a thorough understanding of the topic at hand.

Here’s a video for learning about multiplication:

And it’s not just lessons in math that he provides! Keep reading to see why else we recommend this educational platform to help prevent summer learning loss!

The Magic of Mathematics

This channel only has a small selection of videos, but they’re all so fun and magical.

Each video turns tricky math ideas into exciting and easy-to-understand

Here’s a neat video about multiplying 1’s that my upper elementary students loved!


šŸ”” Language Channels

Enrich elementary students’ language arts education with engaging parts of speech videos on YouTube, captivating storytelling, interactive grammar lessons, and creative writing tips.

Grammaropolis

Grammaropolis takes a creative approach to teaching grammar rules by personifying different parts of speech and grammar concepts as characters in an imaginary city.

Through animated videos and songs, children can easily grasp grammar concepts while having fun exploring the world of language.

In this video, viewers learn about punctuation!

Cool School

Cool School brings learning to life with superheroes, storytellers, and crafty teachers who make every day fun and exciting.

From funny songs to creative crafts, it’s the coolest place for kids to laugh, learn, and imagine.

In this video, follow along as Ms. Booksy takes them through the classic Cinderlla story, but with a twist.

Highlights Kids

Highlights Kids is a fun YouTube channel for children aged 6-12, offering stories, facts, jokes, and recipes.

Fans of the classic magazine will enjoy the popular “Hidden Pictures” puzzles. It’s a great mix of learning and fun!

Allison Kane reads a few stories in this Story Time with Highlights.

šŸ’” Bonus Language Channel:
Homeschool Pop (featured in Math Channels) has language lessons too!

The language videos on this channel complement many parts of speech lessons, as videos include topics covering nouns, verbs, and prepositions. There are also videos that cover other language arts topics such as homophones, suffixes, and compound words.

In this video, Homeschool Pop walks students through a lengthy lesson about the helping verb.


šŸŒ Geography Channels

Geography YouTube channels take kids on virtual adventures with maps, cultures, and global facts, perfect for curious learners in the second plane of development.

Miacademy Learning Channel

The Miacademy Learning Channel offers a wide range of engaging K–12 educational videos covering core subjects, including Geography.

With clear explanations and interactive content, it’s a great resource for both classroom and homeschool learning.

Join Kylie as she makes learning all about the world easy.

They even have videos that explore different countries in a fun way.

Geography Now!

Travel the world one country at a time with this fun, fast-paced channel.

Geography Now! makes learning about different nations exciting and easy to follow.

Kids will love learning all about these crazy timezone facts!

Atlas Pro

With a focus on geography and world cultures, Atlas Pro offers a captivating learning experience that broadens young minds and fosters a global perspective.

Through engaging videos and interactive content, kids can explore different countries, learn interesting facts, and develop a deeper appreciation for this diverse world.

Here viewers learn about rainforests in interesting places.


āŒ›ļø History Channels

YouTube channels that explore history are invaluable elementary learning supplements as they bring the past to life through engaging visuals, storytelling, and interactive content.

PBS Eons

PBS Eons takes kids on a journey through time, exploring everything from the origins of Earth to ancient civilizations.

The videos are fascinating, well-explained, and bring history to life in a fun and educational way.

Explore the wonders of geological time and discover captivating stories from our shared past. With their expertly crafted videos, PBS Eons brings history to life, making it accessible and exciting for young learners.

Learn Bright’s History Videos for Kids

Step into the past with Learn Bright’s fun and informative history videos.

Kids can learn about important people, events, and places through clear explanations and engaging visuals that make history easy to understand and exciting to explore.

This video explores the life of the boy king, King Tut.

The History Kids

The History Kids channel offers a growing collection of videos about important events, famous figures, and fascinating stories from the past.

Each episode is narrated by Lucas, a young history enthusiast who makes learning fun and relatable.

Lucas explores how cats became our companions and the history behind their domestication.

Bonus History Channel:
The History Kids videos come from The History Guy. Though for adults, mature kids can enjoy them, just preview first!

A Kid Explains History

Join 13-year-old Quinn as he takes you on a fun and exciting journey through history.

With help from his parents, Quinn shares interesting stories about important people, events, and places that make the past come alive.

In this video Quinn talks about the year 1920.


šŸ‘Ÿ Physical Education

YouTube channels with exercises, dance routines, and movement games help kids stay active and healthy. They also boost focus, discipline, and confidence, making learning more well-rounded. Plus, moving your body is fun and full of energy!

Glenn Higgins – Get Kids Moving

Unlock your child’s imagination with this incredible YouTube channel that combines exercise and learning in the most captivating way.

Glenn Higgins keeps kids energized and engaged with fun movement games that make staying active exciting and educational.

Get Kids Moving features energetic instructors dressed up as beloved characters, taking your elementary-aged kids on exciting adventures to places like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series of workouts.

This routine led by Wonder Woman is another fun way to get them moving.

Bobo P.E.

Level up your summer fitness game with Bobo P.E.!

Subscribe to this dynamic YouTube channel for an action-packed workout experience that combines fun games with movement.

Kids will get their hearts racing and energy soaring with their Super MARIO-thon, featuring all-star workouts inspired by the iconic video game series.

They even have a playlist called Fitness and Facts! Kids follow along with the movements while learning facts on a number of different topics. In this video, children learn all about outer space.

Prevent summer learning loss with active, joy-filled physical activities that provide fun facts. Let the adventure begin at Bobo P.E.!

Danny Go!

Want to stop the summer brain drain and keep your elementary child active?

Danny Go! has an energetic host who leads fun music and movement episodes that boost fitness, coordination, and smiles. It’s a great mix of learning and exercise to keep kids moving and thinking all summer.

Here are a couple of fun videos from his exercise collection:

PE Bowman

PE Bowman offers fun workouts and skill-building drills that make staying active enjoyable all summer.

Kids can try exciting exercises, learn new skills, and take on playful challenges, keeping them moving, motivated, and smiling every day!

Get moving game show style with this fun-filled workout video.


🐫 Zoology

Discover captivating YouTube channels that not only entertain but also prevent summer learning loss by immersing elementary students in the wonders of the animal kingdom.

They’ll love exploring wildlife footage, educational documentaries, and fascinating facts about diverse species and they’ll be keeping their knowledge thriving.

BBC Earth

This channel is a great classroom resource with stunning nature documentaries and kid-friendly wildlife videos.

It inspires curiosity, builds knowledge, and helps children appreciate Earth’s incredible ecosystems and animals.

Here’s one about the amazing pika!

Elementary kids love learning about animals they might spot in their own backyard, like the red squirrel in this fun video.

Real Wild

With stunning wildlife footage and expert storytelling, Real Wild draws in mature elementary kids with fascinating animal content.

It sparks curiosity while deepening their understanding of nature’s wonders and challenges.

Kids can explore the amazing science inside polar bear fur. Fascinating!

Wild and remote, Yellowstone is an incredible place. Kids can learn about the animals that live there in this video.

1 Minute Animals

This fun channel delivers fascinating facts and intriguing insights about various animal species, all in about one minute!

Whether it’s learning about unique adaptations, peculiar behaviors, or incredible animal abilities, this channel keeps young minds engaged and hungry for more knowledge.

Here’s a ten minute video about the most endangered animals in the world.

Here’s one minute about the adorable sea creature known as the sea bunny.


šŸ“… Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts

Unlock your child’s creativity and prevent summer learning loss with engaging YouTube channels that feature arts and crafts.

These types of channels provide a perfect platform for kids to explore their imagination, enhance fine motor skills, and develop problem-solving abilities through hands-on activities.

One Little Project

One Little Project offers tons of creative, kid-friendly ideas that spark imagination and hands-on fun.

It’s a great way for kids to build fine motor skills and enjoy the process of creating.

In this video, viewers learn how to make their own sidewalk chalk!

And in this video learners learn how to make their own stress ball. Fun!

Babble Dabble Do

This channel features everything from science experiments and engineering challenges to sensory play and mixed media art.

It’s a great resource for offering activities that match different interests and learning styles.

Elementary learners love making (and playing) their own musical instruments!

Kids can create their own ball maze game following the instructions in this awesome video.

Crafts That Slap

Crafts That Slap is an amazing resource for elementary children to discover and experiment with new arts and crafts.

With its innovative projects, engaging tutorials, and a touch of whimsy, the channel inspires creativity, encourages hands-on learning, and brings a whole lot of fun to the crafting process.

Viewers can follow the steps to make DIY cat water bottles.

More cats!

They even have instructions on how to make your own tabletop games!

You Can Prevent Summer Learning Loss With YouTube

You don’t have to let summer break set your child’s learning back.

With so many fun and educational YouTube videos out there, it’s easy to keep kids engaged and curious all summer long.

The channels in this blog are packed with exciting content, from action-packed workouts to fascinating animal facts, that make learning feel like an adventure.
They’re a great way to help kids stay sharp, explore new topics, and avoid the dreaded summer brain drain.

A Montessori quote that reads, "Free the child's potential and you will transform him into the world."

Stop the Summer Slide

The ā€œsummer slideā€ (also called summer brain drain) is the loss of academic skills that can happen when kids take a long break from learning. It’s especially common in elementary-aged children and can affect things like reading, math, and critical thinking.

Without regular practice, students may forget what they’ve learned, sometimes losing months of progress by the time school starts again in the fall. This happens simply because their brains aren’t getting the same stimulation they do during the school year.

An elementary-aged boy with glasses and a confused look on his face is surrounded byt an orange background covered in question marks. He better find a YouTube channel to help prevent summer learning loss!

The good news? Summer learning loss is totally preventable.

With a little planning and a mix of fun, educational activities, like reading, science experiments, games, and even YouTube learning videos, parents and teachers can keep kids learning and help them head back to school feeling confident and ready.

In this video, Dr. Rebecca Mannis talks about preventing the summer brain drain.

The Wrap-Up: YouTube Channels to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Preventing summer learning loss is easier than ever with a world of educational YouTube videos just a click away.

From science and math to history, geography, and the arts, the channels listed above offer fun and engaging ways for elementary students to keep their minds active all summer long.

So go ahead, let your kids dive into captivating content, explore virtual adventures, and discover that learning really can be fun during the summer. They’ll thank you for it!

āš ļø Important Reminder
Use screen time wisely! Encourage kids to watch in moderation and stick to educational content.
With the right balance, these YouTube channels can be powerful tools to boost summer learning—and keep it fun and safe!

Photo of a boy Smiling While Using Tablet Computer to take one of his many online Outschool classes.

Fun & Educational Resources to Keep Kids Learning This Summer

🧮 Math

No Prep Math Fact Dice Game Addition and Division Practice
Math Jokes for Kids and Teachers
No-Prep Digital Math Games Lesson with Worksheets
Crypto-Riddles Math Fact Practice
Montessori Command Cards: 4 Operations BUNDLE
120 Distributive Law of Multiplication Command Cards with Answers + Anchor Chart
140 Printable Order of Operations Task Cards With Answers + Anchor Chart
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Printable Card Game

šŸ“š Language

Carl the Cantankerous Cat
Story Elements Dice Game with Graphic Organizer
Parts of Speech Scavenger Hunt
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Printable
Vocabulary Booster + Printable Graphic Organizer Vol 2
Vocabulary Booster + Printable Graphic Organizer Vol 1
Noun Memory Matching Game
Carl the Cantankerous Cat Digital Picture Book + Printable Activity Pack
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

🤩 Miscellaneous Fun and Learning

Periodic Table of Elements Digital Learning
Movement Dice Game – Just Roll With It
Cat-Themed Printable Tic Tac Toe Game
Cat Emoji Set
Emojis Faces Set
Build a Robot Pack #1
Build a Robot Pack #2

šŸ“° Blogs

15 Benefits of Using Games in the Classroom
How to Make a Scavenger Hunt for Kids in 9 Steps
The Best Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunt and 13 Different Ways to Use It
8 Easy Rebus Puzzles (with Answers!)
11 Ways to Use Our Roll A Story Dice Game
15 Educational Games With Three Dice for Kids (+ FREE Printable Dice)
Your Kids Need This Activity Book with Unique Drawing Prompts (+ Free Printable Activity!)
21 Fun Math Games with Dice to Try With Kids 8-12 (+ FREE Printable Dice)
11 Unique Vocabulary Development Activities for the Elementary Level 2023 (+ FREEBIE!)
9 Montessori-Aligned Math Activities for Elementary Students (+ 2 FREE Printables)