5 favourite (kid-tested!) active YouTube channels

Editor’s note: This article was updated on May 11, 2022.

Screen time isn’t all bad! If your kiddos are stuck inside for an extended time, need a brain break between math and science worksheets, want to practice the latest cool dances, or you need to make an uninterrupted call without someone on your lap, try these active videos.

They’re a safe option to keep kids occupied and motivated, get the wiggles out, and help them incorporate important daily physical activity.

If you’ve got a few minutes, try to join in the fun. The dancing and silly songs got me laughing too! Here are our five current favourites:

Cosmic Kids

Ages: 3+

With Jaime Amor’s storytelling and narrations, the hundreds of videos available on the Cosmic Kids YouTube channel will capture kids’ attention while they dance, stretch, and practice mindfulness.

My kiddos cheered when I suggested this series, as they had both moved along with it at their school, and shouted out the names of their favourite videos.

We’ve now put yoga into our regular routine, as I could see how much my 11-year-old hockey player struggled with flexibility. And the mindfulness videos are great for after-dinner relaxation.

Find hundreds of free videos on the Cosmic Kids YouTube channel, or the app has a two-week free trial.

GoNoodle

Ages: Pre-schoolers to tweens

Used in classrooms since 2013, GoNoodle includes a huge collection of videos that promote physical activity and kinesthetic learning, as well as enhance focus and engagement.

Now with so many kids home from school, it’s also launched GoNoodle: Good Energy at Home to provide videos and activity sheets, and encourage kids and families to move and learn together.

My 11-year-old was excited to look through the GoNoodle videos because he remembered how fun they were in school, but the seven-year-old grump resisted until he heard us laughing and jumping around to “Peanut Butter in a Cup.”

“This IS fun!” he exclaimed after joining in—and then danced for another 45 minutes.

The Good Energy videos are available on any of the GoNoodle apps on the web, iOS, Android, AppleTV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

You can also check out favourite videos and exclusives on the YouTube channel.

Force 4 (in French)

Ages: Primary school

This year, the get-active challenge of Quebec’s Le Grand défi Pierre Lavoie is available online. During this annual challenge, schoolchildren colour in little squares in a booklet to keep track of time spent in physical activity. Families can now track these “energy cubes” in a virtual booklet or download a paper version.

My kids love the motivation of colouring in the cubes and seeing how many we accumulate at the end of the challenges, and trying for the weekly prizes.

New in 2020 is the launch of Force 4, a series of videos to get kids moving right in their living rooms.

Join in every morning at 10 a.m. ET on the Force 4 Facebook page.

Recess Guardians

Ages: All ages

Recess Guardians has brought its unstructured recess play programs to more than 600 schools across Canada, and recently unveiled its active8 Your Home program.

Subscribe to receive weekday videos with a new game idea and challenge, and check out their YouTube channel to view previous activities.

P.E. with Joe

Ages: All ages

Join Joe Wicks on his YouTube channel for 30-minute energetic routines aimed at encouraging students to stay active while at home. You can also find “five-minute move” and “Active 8” videos for short energy breaks.

Joe’s not a certified teacher — and in any case, there’s a lot more to physical education than just physical activity — but there’s no question that his enthusiasm will get everyone moving!

Bonus: Even more fun videos to get kids moving

With schools, daycares, and recreational sports on hold indefinitely, children have been uprooted from their normal routines. We need to proactively make mental health and physical activity a priority now more than ever. Here are some more video programs to help foster a love of physical fitness and movement, while keeping kids entertained and active.

For toddlers:

• The Kiboomers: Toddlers will like the simple songs that help them learn colours, shapes, counting, dance, and movement skills.
• Moovlee: This YouTube channel has yoga, mindfulness, and exercise videos for (younger) kids.
• CBC Kids: Join The Moblees in their Get Moving dance videos.

Elementary age and older:

• KIDDO: This organization aims to get kids “moving well and moving often.” Check out its YouTube channel for at-home videos.
• BOKS: Follow its Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube pages for physical activity programs to get kids active.
• I Love A Challenge!: These 40 video challenges are designed for elementary-aged kids.
• Active with Adam: Join Hockey Canada’s lead strength and conditioning coach, Adam Douglas, with tips and tricks to stay active at home.
• Free Footie: Follow on Facebook to watch live home training sessions with an impressive lineup of coaches and athletes.
• YMCA at home: Enjoy fun and healthy activities for the whole family at home.
• Fillactive – FitSpirit: French and English fitness videos aimed at tween and teen girls.

Do you have a favourite that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas for keeping kids active, join our Facebook group for parents: Active at Home: Fun ideas to get kids moving.

Photos of two boys courtesy of Christine Latreille.