What’s the first site you visit when you:
- either want to learn a new subject
- or more about a subject you’re passionate about?
If you’re anything like me, YouTube is the first website that comes to mind.
In this article, I’ll share the best educational YouTube channels covering various topics.
From science and technology to history and arts, there’s something for everyone.
By the way, I have my own YouTube channel with over 190,000 subscribers.
I know what makes a YouTube channel great – you can trust me to point you to the best ones for learning new things!
What Are the Best Educational Channels on YouTube?
Here are the best educational YouTube channels.
The DadLab
Over five million people have joined TheDadLab‘s YouTube journey.
The creator dives into the fascinating world of child-centric educational experiments and crafting sessions..
He also dabbles in hands-on sensory play or creating art from mere sheets of paper.
TheDadLab excels at breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized, easy-to-understand activities.
The best part is that he uses common household materials, proving that science can be unbelievably fun when explored through playful experimentation.
Netflix Jr
The official Netflix Jr. channel is aimed at kids and features characters and content from Netflix shows/movies.
It has 16.6 million subscribers and over 2,000 uploaded videos.
Many educational videos feature songs, stories, and activities for preschool/early elementary-aged kids.
Popular uploads include full episodes, “Try Not to Laugh” compilations, sing-alongs, toy play videos, and trailers for new shows.
Study with Jess
Jessica Holsman stands out both online and onstage.
People flock to her channel for wisdom on organizing their days effectively and improving efficiency at work or home – all while keeping stress at bay.
With her videos, you’ll uncover proven methods to enhance studying efficiency, engage deeper with personal goals, and establish refreshing lifestyle patterns.
Jessica speaks directly to anyone who wants to juggle daily demands.
Ali Abdaal
From boosting productivity to personal growth, entrepreneurship insights, or just plain old life hacks – Ali‘s your go-to guy.
While the core content seems geared toward students and young professionals, he also offers some evergreen career and business advice that appeals to a broad audience.
Many video titles promise “evidence-based” or science-backed tips.
In his videos, he provides well-researched, practical advice to back up his claims.
In addition to the how-to style videos, he also gives peeks into personal life updates, book reviews, product reviews, and income reports.
For anyone eager to improve their life Ali also shares valuable lessons from his early achievements that hit home.
Mike Boyd
Imagine picking up a brand-new skill in record time. That’s what Mike Boyd shows you how to do.
It’s also why he’s considered one of the best YouTube channels in the educational space.
He shows his desire to teach people how to learn quickly by doing it himself.
Month after month, he throws himself into something completely different.
It could be scaling walls with nothing but his grip strength in rock climbing or strategizing moves on the chessboard.
Even better – have you ever watched someone make mistakes look like part of the fun?
That’s Mike for you – he learns out loud, crafting informative yet entertaining experiences along the way.
Self Publishing TV
Self Publishing TV is a channel dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, freelancers, coaches, and writers.
The video contents help these individuals go from a blank page to becoming bestselling authors in as little as 90 days.
You can kick-start your journey with fun writing exercises.
Then, you’ll get down to brass tacks with character creation tips and learn tricks for making the most out of novel-writing apps.
There’s also advice on pushing your book into readers’ hands via strategic marketing moves.
If you’ve ever wanted to self-publish, this is the channel for you.
VSauce
Vsauce tackles the tough stuff—science mysteries, philosophical debates, mathematical puzzles.
He does it all in engaging videos that are as fun as they are brainy.
With an engaging mix (from solving perplexing riddles to revealing stunning optical tricks) Vsauce hooks viewers by making complex topics accessible and fun.
In addition to the main Vsauce channel, Vsauce2 and Vsauce3 channels cover additional content.
With every video, Vsauce manages to educate and entertain, urging us to question our reality.
Simple History
Simple History transforms complex history lessons into easily digestible bites.
The channel aims to “visualize the past, bringing history to life through animation.”
It has over 4.7 million subscribers and nearly 1,000 uploaded videos at the time I’m writing this.
Some recent popular video topics include PTSD from the Vietnam War, life inside medieval castles/tanks, famous assassinations, accidents in war, and unique military deceptions.
These videos really help make history engaging and accessible to a broad audience.
I would sum up Simple History as the channel where lively animation meets intriguing historic stories.
EnglishClass101
Is English not your first language?
If you want to improve your linguistic skills, EngishClass101 can become your compass.
They offer tailor-made lessons and cutting-edge resources designed around their subscribers’ needs.
They teach English by helping students live the language.
As a learner, you get word lists, flashy cards for memorizing vocabulary, and exercises.
If you want more, you can also visit their site.
Their site offers audio/video lessons, pronunciation practice tools, grammar explanations, and much more.
PBS Kids
For those hungry young minds seeking adventure through learning, look no further than PBS KIDS.
This channel entertains with its range of educational videos.
It offers full-length videos and shows, brain-boosting games, and reviews must-have apps.
The channel even gives indispensable advice for those taking care of children.
This is practical advice teachers can implement to increase their young leader’s curiosity.
SmarterEveryday
When you visit SmarterEveryDay, get ready for a journey through science like no other.
The channel is filled with hands-on experiments, breathtaking slow-motion footage, and simple yet insightful breakdowns.
Every episode hosted by Destin Sanderson allows viewers to discover something they never knew.
Imagine a place where you can explore the vastness of space, understand complex engineering concepts, unravel biological mysteries, and get lost in the world of physics.
That’s what this channel offers.
Physics Girl
Over three million people have subscribed to watch Dianna Cowern talk about the mysteries of physics on her hit YouTube channel, Physics Girl.
For example, have you ever wondered about the magic behind gravity or what black holes are?
This place is your go-to for experimental adventures and insights into recent scientific wonders.
Her videos unpack phenomena such as rainbow formation, explain vortex rings, and simplify quantum physics concepts.
Whether you’re just getting started with physics or ready to tackle advanced concepts like an AP student, these videos have you covered.
Crash Course
CrashCourse is an incredibly popular educational YouTube channel.
They have over 15 million subscribers and 1,500 videos across various disciplines.
Their goal?
To open the doors wide to quality learning resources, making them available for free to all comers.
Their channel offers richly designed courses that cover biology and chemistry (along with explosive experiments), epic historical battles, and much more.
From bite-sized two-minute gems to full-on fifty-minute deep dives, this channel is the go-to spot for learners of all knowledge levels.
Khan Academy
If you want access to an educational goldmine with over 8 million fellow learners, Khan Academy is worth checking out.
This channel is packed with topics ranging from calculus problems to historical events.
They take big ideas apart and put them back together in short videos, engaging quizzes, and straightforward talk that gets straight to the point.
The secret sauce behind Khan Academy is its unwavering dedication to keeping education within reach.
To do this, they have a collection of resources that meets learners right where they are.
Every video they publish celebrates how opening doors to knowledge can transform student paths.
Studyign
Want to get insider tips on acing your studies?
That’s what Sareena offers on Studyign.
Practical advice for boosting your productivity and snapshots from her own journey through college.
These videos are student life hacks wrapped in digital form.
Dive into a day with Sareena as she navigates through lectures on her laptop, hits the books hard, and tackles every college student’s share of bumps in one of her real-talk vlogs.
What truly shines about studying with Sareena is how down-to-earth and real she comes across.
Tackling online learning curves and graduate school applications?
She spills all, making no part of her experience a mystery.
Finding the Best Educational YouTube Channels
Finding the best YouTube channel for your education isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
Everyone has their unique way of learning and the best educational YouTube channels understand this.
As a result, these channels offer a bit of everything, ensuring a match for everyone’s learning style.
Let’s consider the various learning styles in terms of learning.
Visual Learners
For those who learn best through visual aids, plenty of channels use animation, simulations, demonstrations, and experiments.
These methods are great at showing complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
Auditory Learners
Some people prefer to learn by listening.
If you find yourself lost in the vivid storytelling, gripped by a video’s clear-cut explanations and dynamic narration, chances are you are mainly this type of learner.
When looking for channels that suit auditory learners, pay attention to the quality of the audio and the presenter’s voice.
It can make a big difference in how well the information is absorbed.
Kinesthetic Learners
For those who learn best by doing, some channels encourage hands-on activities and practical applications.
Forget about just reading or listening.
These channels demonstrate that getting involved directly is often the best teacher.
As you keep your learning style in mind, you’ll be able to understand why some channels resonate with you (and others don’t).
Using The Right Search Strategies
By thinking outside the box when searching on YouTube, you’ll be able to find the educational resource that suits you the most.
Here are some ideas to get this done.
Use Keywords
One of the most effective ways to find educational content on YouTube is by using specific keywords in your searches.
For instance, if you’re interested in learning about history, try searching for “history documentaries” or “ancient civilizations explained.”
If you want to improve your math skills, search for “calculus tutorials” or “geometry lessons.”
Aspiring programmers can find helpful content by searching for “how to code for beginners” or “programming tutorials for \[language\].”
By being specific in your search terms, you’ll be more likely to find channels that cater to your exact learning needs.
Another helpful search strategy combines your topic of interest with the words “explained” or “crash course.”
This will help you find YouTube videos that provide concise and informative overviews of various subjects.
For example, searching for “quantum physics explained” or “philosophy crash course” can lead you to channels that break down complex topics into easily digestible videos.
Educational Institutions
Don’t forget that many reputable educational institutions have their own YouTube channels.
These channels offer a wealth of high-quality educational content.
To find these channels, try searching for “\[University name\] lectures” or “\[Museum name\] online exhibits.”
Searching for “Harvard University lectures” or “The Smithsonian online exhibits” can lead you to channels filled with credible and informative content from some of the world’s leading educational institutions.
Imagine learning from the best minds in academia—professors, researchers, and even curators—all ready to spill their secrets on video channels tailored just for you.
This is all just a search query away.
Bonus Tips
Here are a few final tips to find the best educational YouTube channel for your needs.
Explore Playlists
When you find a channel that resonates with your learning style, don’t stop at just watching individual videos.
Many educational YouTube channels create carefully curated playlists that guide you through a specific topic – from start to finish.
Diving into these playlists might just give you an edge.
It’s almost like sitting through a full-blown course but with the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Be a Discerning Viewer
With so much content out there, you need to be picky at the content you consume.
A smart move isn’t just checking out the content – it’s looking at a creator’s history to see if they’re legit.
Dive into their background, checking if they’re recognized experts, dedicated educators, or just profoundly passionate about the subject.
Creators who are transparent about their background and expertise are more likely to provide reliable information.
Also, it’s important not to overlook a channel’s “circle”.
If a channel is associated with reputable institutions like universities, museums, or scientific organizations, it’s a good sign that the content is credible and well-researched.
Pay Attention to the Comunity Engagement
Engaging with viewers also shows how much (or how little) a creator values community.
Peek into the comments section to see if the creator responds to their audience with answers that help and teach something new.
A creator who actively engages with their audience and fosters a positive learning community is more likely to be a credible source.
However, even with these credibility indicators, it’s always a good idea to fact-check the information presented.
This is even more so when dealing with sensitive or controversial topics.
Conclusion
YouTube isn’t just for fun videos.
It’s a powerful tool for learning new things in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand.
Why not pick one of the channels above and start learning a new skill?
After all, knowledge is just a click away.
Dive in, explore, and let these educational YouTube channels transform your learning experience.
Happy learning!
Further Reading On AdamEnfroy.com: Do you run a kids-based channel?
If you’re searching for creative inspiration for your next video, check out these YouTube video ideas for kids.
For those looking to get into YouTube with a partner, explore the best couples YouTube channels.
And if you’re curious about how to name your channel or you’re someone who prefers to stay off-camera, look no further.
Discover a variety of YouTube channel name ideas and faceless channel concepts for introverts, perfect for crafting a presence that feels right for you.
Lastly, don’t forget about our extensive list of YouTube lifestyle video ideas.
Whether you’re into fashion, daily vlogging, or anything in between, these ideas will help keep your content fresh and engaging.
