Best Streaming Service for Kids: Safe Picks by Age

The best streaming service for kids depends on age and budget. For preschoolers, the free PBS KIDS Video app is hard to beat. For a broad family library, Disney+ is the strongest paid pick, and Netflix works well if you set up kids profiles. YouTube Kids is a good free option for supervised browsing, and families who want live kids channels can get them through services like Sling Orange or DirecTV Stream’s kids pack.

Prices change often, so we focus on what each service offers and how to set it up safely, and point you to the provider’s site for current pricing.

Best streaming services for kids at a glance

Best for toddlers and preschoolers

PBS KIDS Video

PBS KIDS is free, widely available on streaming devices, and built around educational shows. It is the easiest recommendation for young children because there is no subscription to manage and the content is designed for learning.

YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is a separate app from YouTube with modes for preschool, younger and older children. Parents can turn off search, set a timer and, in the strictest setting, allow only content they have approved. Supervision still matters, since not every video is curated by hand.

Best paid services for families

Disney+

Disney+ has the deepest family library: Disney animation, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. Kids profiles show age-appropriate titles, and parents can lock adult profiles with a PIN. It is often available in bundles with Hulu and ESPN, so compare bundle prices if you use those services.

Netflix

Netflix has a large kids and family catalog and lets parents set maturity ratings for each profile, lock profiles with a PIN and block specific titles. Its kids profile hides adult content from the home screen.

Other options

Amazon Kids+ is a subscription aimed at young children with books, apps and video. Free ad-supported services like Pluto TV and Tubi also have kids sections, though with ads. Before paying for a second service, check whether the shows your children ask for are already on a service you have.

Live TV with kids channels

Some families want classic cartoon channels on a schedule. Live TV services carry kids networks such as Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, but lineups vary by plan:

• Sling Orange: includes Disney Channel at around $45.99 a month at the time of writing.
• DirecTV Stream MyKids pack: a kids genre pack reported at around $19.99 a month.
• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV: full packages that include several kids networks.
• Free live channels: Pluto TV and similar apps have kids channels at no cost.

Check each service’s channel lookup for the specific kids networks you want. For a wider look at live options, see our cord cutting guide.

How to set up parental controls

1. Create a kids profile in every service your child uses, and set the right age or maturity rating.
2. Lock adult profiles with a PIN so kids cannot switch into them.
3. Use device controls too: Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV can require a PIN for purchases and restrict apps.
4. Turn off autoplay where possible to avoid endless viewing.
5. Set screen-time limits using the app’s timer or your device or router settings.
6. Review watch history occasionally to see what is being watched.

Avoid unofficial apps and free IPTV playlists for kids. Content is unfiltered, ads can be inappropriate, and sideloaded apps can carry malware. Stick to official app stores. Our guide to the best streaming devices covers which devices have the strongest parental controls.

Where IPTV fits for families

Some families use an IPTV subscription for a wide channel list that includes kids networks. IPTV is legal technology, but only licensed providers can stream channels legally, and parental controls depend on the player app you use. For transparency, our own plan, IPTV Journal, costs $89 for 12 months; if you use any IPTV service with children, set a PIN on adult categories in the player app.

Which service should you choose?

• Under 5: PBS KIDS Video, with YouTube Kids in its most restricted mode.
• Ages 5 to 12: Disney+ or Netflix with kids profiles, plus free PBS KIDS.
• Teens: regular profiles with maturity ratings set, and household rules about screen time.
• Families who love live cartoons: a live TV plan with kids channels or a kids genre pack.

FAQ

What is the best free streaming service for kids?

PBS KIDS Video is the best free choice for young children, with educational shows and no subscription. YouTube Kids is also free and offers age-based modes and a parent-approved content setting.

Is Disney+ or Netflix better for kids?

Disney+ has the stronger family library with Disney, Pixar and Marvel. Netflix has a broad kids catalog and flexible per-profile controls. Many families choose based on which characters their children love.

Is YouTube Kids safe?

It is safer than regular YouTube, especially with search turned off or in the approved-content-only mode. It is not perfect, so supervise young children and review watch history.

Which live TV service has kids channels?

Sling Orange includes Disney Channel, DirecTV Stream sells a MyKids genre pack, and full packages like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include several kids networks. Free apps like Pluto TV also carry kids channels.

How do I stop my child watching adult content on streaming apps?

Create kids profiles with the right maturity rating, lock adult profiles with a PIN, and use the parental controls on your streaming device. Check settings on each app, since controls do not carry over between services.