As a homeschool mom, I know that teaching science can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether it’s finding engaging experiments, explaining complex concepts, or making lessons fun, science often requires creativity and resources. Thankfully, YouTube has become a great resource of educational content for homeschool families. There you can access high-quality science lessons that inspire curiosity and make learning exciting for kids of all ages.
If you’re looking to supplement your homeschool curriculum with engaging, free content, here are the top 10 educational YouTube channels for homeschool science lessons. These channels provide a mix of experiments, lessons, and hands-on activities to bring science to life.
1. SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids is a fantastic resource for young learners. This channel covers a wide range of science topics in short, engaging videos. Whether your child is curious about why leaves change color or how volcanoes erupt, SciShow Kids offers fun explanations and simple experiments that you can try at home.
Best For: Elementary Students
Why Moms Love It: The videos are short (usually under 10 minutes) and easy to incorporate into daily lessons. The content is upbeat, colorful, and designed to spark curiosity in younger kids.
2. CrashCourse Kids
CrashCourse Kids is a spinoff of the popular CrashCourse channel. This series focuses on elementary and middle school science topics, with videos that cover everything from ecosystems to engineering.
Best For: Elementary through Middle School Students
Why Moms Love It: The series is well-organized and aligns with many common science standards, making it easy to integrate into your lesson plans. Plus, the engaging visuals and clear explanations keep kids hooked.
3. TheDadLab
TheDadLab is run by a creative dad who shares fun, hands-on experiments you can do with kids at home. From making slime to exploring the properties of magnets, this channel is perfect for parents who aren’t afraid to get a little messy in order to make science more fun!
Best For: Preschool through Elementary Students
Why Moms Love It: The experiments use everyday materials, so there’s no need for special equipment. It’s a great way to bond with your kids while learning science through play.
4. National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids is one of my personal favorites. It brings the wonders of the natural world into your home. With videos on animals, ecosystems, and conservation, this channel is perfect for budding scientists who love nature. My son enjoys pairing the episodes with reading National Geographic Books.
Best For: Kids ages 6-12.
Why Moms Love It: The videos are beautifully produced and packed with fascinating facts. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the diversity of life on Earth.
5. The Good and the Beautiful Homeschool Science
The Good and the Beautiful Homeschool Science is a fantastic resource specifically designed for homeschool families. As another favorite in our homeschool, The Good and The Beautiful Science lessons cover a variety of topics, such as space, ecosystems, and physical science, all presented in a wholesome and engaging way.
Best For: Preschool through Middle School Students
Why Moms Love It: The Good and the Beautiful focuses on providing high-quality, faith-based educational content that integrates seamlessly into homeschool science lessons and curriculum. The videos often include activities and experiments that families can do together, making science both fun and meaningful.
5. Veritasium
Veritasium dives into thought-provoking science topics with a focus on physics, chemistry, and engineering. Host Derek Muller explains complex ideas in a way that’s engaging for older kids and parents alike.
Best For: High School Students
Why Moms Love It: Veritasium encourages critical thinking and curiosity. It’s a fantastic resource for high school science students and moms who want to learn alongside their teens.
7. MinutePhysics
MinutePhysics offers bite-sized explanations of physics concepts, complete with charming hand-drawn animations. Topics range from the basics of gravity to the mysteries of black holes.
Best For: Middle School through High-School Students
Why Moms Love It: The videos are short, clear, and packed with information. They’re perfect for supplementing physics lessons or sparking deeper discussions.
8. Mark Rober
Mark Rober is a former NASA engineer who shares incredible science projects and experiments. From building the world’s largest Nerf gun to explaining how germs spread, his videos are as entertaining as they are educational.
Best For: Elementary through High-School Students
Why Moms Love It: Mark’s enthusiasm for science is contagious, and his projects often inspire kids to get hands-on. It’s a great way to show how science applies to real-world problem-solving.
9. Science Max: Experiments at Large
Science Max takes simple science experiments and scales them up to epic proportions. Host Phil explains the science behind each experiment in a fun and approachable way.
Best For: Elementary through Middle School Students
Why Moms Love It: The larger-than-life experiments capture kids’ attention and make learning memorable. It’s perfect for kids who love action-packed science lessons.
10. Mystery Science
Mystery Science offers free lessons that are ideal for homeschoolers. With topics like “Why does the moon change shape?” and “What’s inside a seed?” this channel delivers engaging lessons designed for kids.
Best For: Preschool through Middle School Students
Why Moms Love It: Mystery Science lessons often include hands-on activities and encourage kids to think critically. The content is easy to follow and integrates seamlessly into homeschool routines.
Tips for Using YouTube Channels in Your Homeschool
- Set a Schedule: Plan specific times for watching videos to avoid screen time overload.
- Take Notes: Encourage your kids to take notes or ask questions as they watch.
- Pair Videos with Hands-On Activities: Reinforce lessons by doing experiments or projects inspired by the videos.
- Use Playlists: Create playlists for different subjects or themes to stay organized.
- Preview Content: Watch videos beforehand to ensure they align with your educational goals and values.
Conclusion
YouTube is an incredible resource for homeschool science lessons. Whether you’re looking for hands-on experiments, deep dives into complex topics, or fun ways to explore nature, these channels offer something for everyone. By incorporating these educational videos into your homeschool routine, you can make science come alive for your kids and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Which YouTube channel are you excited to explore first? Let me know in the comments below!