How to download YouTube Kids, install it, and manage your child's viewing time

In just a moment, when parents are busy with work, the phone in a child's hand can accidentally switch from a children's song to age-inappropriate mash-up videos. When you can't sit beside your child 24/7, YouTube Kids is a powerful support tool, helping parents actively filter content by age and manage their child's digital entertainment space more safely and scientifically.

What is YouTube Kids and how does it differ from regular YouTube?

Definition of YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is a video-watching app developed by Google aimed at children. The platform uses automated algorithms combined with user feedback to filter videos that tend to be suitable for children, while equipping a flexible control system so parents can actively manage their child's viewing experience.

Key differences that help parents control better

⚠️ Note: Although the automated system filters a lot of content, no numeric filter can guarantee removing 100% of inappropriate videos. Family involvement and regular checks remain the most essential factor.

How to download and install YouTube Kids on any device

Depending on the device your family uses, parents can follow these steps:

Install on phones and tablets (iOS / Android)

• Step 1: Open the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android), search for "YouTube Kids".

• Step 2: Download the app and open the launch interface.

• Step 3: Tap to confirm the parent role and enter your birth year as required to pass the safety screen.

• Step 4: Sign in with your family Google account to use all management features (or skip if you want to view quickly).

• Step 5: Create a separate profile for your child, select the content group appropriate for their age, and complete the setup.

Experience on Smart TV (Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL...)

On Smart TVs and supported devices, the YouTube Kids feature is now conveniently integrated directly within the familiar YouTube app:

• Step 1: Open the YouTube app already on the Smart TV.

• Step 2: Move to the left-hand menu, choose the account switch section (or the "Who's watching?" screen).

• Step 3: Choose your child's YouTube Kids profile to switch the TV interface to the child-specific mode.

(Note: Depending on the TV model and app version, button positions may vary slightly).

Using on desktop and laptop

Parents open a browser and visit the website www.youtubekids.com. After verifying the adult's birth year, parents can sign in with a Google account to use the child profile and save the management history.

Using YouTube Kids with 4 content protection settings

To maximize protection, parents should take a few minutes to activate the following four control layers in Settings:

Setup 1: Group content by appropriate age

• Preschool (4 years old and younger): Children can watch videos to foster creativity, a playful spirit, learning, and exploration.

• Young children (5 – 8 years): Children can explore topics they are interested in and search for many topics, including songs, cartoons, crafts videos, and many other content.

• Older children (9 – 12 years): Allow children developing independence to search and explore more music videos, gaming content, family vlogs, science content, and more.

Setup 2: Turn on "Approve content yourself"

This is the strictest control mode. When this feature is on, the child's search function will be automatically turned off. The child will only be able to view videos, channels, or content collections that the parent personally approves by tapping the plus sign (+).

Setup 3: Block inappropriate videos or channels

While the child is watching in auto mode, if you notice content not suitable for the family, parents simply need to tap the three dots on that video and choose "Block this video" or "Block this channel". Blocked videos or channels will no longer appear to the child in that profile's YouTube Kids experience.

Setup 4: Set a viewing time limit (Timer)

Depending on the app version, parents do as follows:

• Step 1: Tap the Lock icon or the Settings item at the corner of the screen, complete the calculation or enter the secret PIN.

• Step 2: Choose the Timer.

• Step 3: Drag the slider to set the time (e.g., 30 minutes) and press Start timer.

When the time runs out, YouTube Kids will show a timer-off notification and stop playing the video.

💡 Mykingdom psychology tip: Children are easily disappointed if the video is cut off abruptly. Parents should give a 5-minute heads-up: "Time is almost up, let's switch to something else together." Also, have a ready-made engaging alternative activity beside, such as building blocks or drawing, to help the child happily redirect their attention.

Suggestions for content channels for parents to reference

Note: Not every video on the channels below appears by default on YouTube Kids due to regional and age policies. Parents should preview the specific content to curate for the child:

• CoComelon / Super Simple Songs: A familiar animated song channel that helps preschoolers become familiar with melodies and basic English vocabulary.

• Art for Kids Hub: A channel guiding step-by-step drawing with clear strokes, suitable for parents to interact with their child hands-on.

• SciShow Kids / The DadLab: Videos explaining natural phenomena and ideas for visually guided science experiments at home.

• VTV7 Kids: Brings life skills stories, and schooling-style content relevant to Vietnamese children.

• Mykingdom: Channel broadcasting licensed children's animated series (such as LEGO Ninjago, Super Wings, Dinoster...), delivering lessons about friendship and courage.

• Mykingdom TV: Channel exploring the lively world of toys, showing unboxings and suggesting creative interactive play ideas for kids.

Balancing online and real-world worlds: Take your child away from the screen with Mykingdom educational toys

Watching videos tends to be passive content consumption. To develop thinking, interaction, and physical activity, screen-time management for children should go hand in hand with real-world physical activities.

Screen time recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

• Children under 18 months: Should avoid screen-based devices entirely (except for video calls with family under adult supervision).

• Children 18–24 months: If families start introducing digital media, choose high-quality content and always have an adult co-view to interact and explain to the child.

• Children 2–5 years: Limit viewing time to no more than 60 minutes per day with curated content, with parental participation.

• Children 6 years and older: Develop a balanced media use plan for each child, ensuring screen time does not interfere with sufficient sleep, studying, and outdoor physical activities.

Parents can transform those characters their child loves on screen into engaging real-life experiences:

Role-playing to save the world with Super Wings and Dinoster

After watching episodes of SUPERWINGS or Dinoster on the Mykingdom channel, kids often excitedly recount rescue missions. Rather than letting them watch the next episode, parents should seize this moment to develop the child's language through role-playing games.

Official transforming robot lines will be a vivid bridge bringing the story into the living room. The swivel joints design allows the child to smoothly switch between airplane and robot.

Each detail, crafted from virgin plastic, thick and rounded to fit little hands, helps the child confidently become the hero and create their own storyline.

Build patience with LEGO Ninjago sets

For elementary school kids, armored mecha in the LEGO Ninjago series are irresistibly engaging. To turn visual excitement into real skills, a challenge that requires focus and spatial awareness is just what they need.

Age-appropriate LEGO Ninjago sets will fully satisfy this desire. The patient process of finding each compatible piece and feeling the precise joints will train the child to be persistent. The joy of finishing a sleek armored model by hand will naturally motivate them to happy turn off the screen.

Hands-on science at home with STEAM toys

When your child continually asks "why" after online explorations, simple verbal explanations often do not satisfy their curiosity. Being able to manipulate and experiment hands-on helps children remember knowledge deeply and fosters a habit of proactive inquiry.

Mykingdom's educational STEAM sets offer tangible, safe experiments for every age group. Your child will directly observe color changes or the laws of motion, turning a family weekend into fun and productive learning hours.

Frequently asked questions when using YouTube Kids

Is YouTube Kids free to use?

YouTube Kids is a completely free app. If the family has a qualifying YouTube Premium account, the child can watch content without ads. Note that offline video download on YouTube Kids is not yet supported by Google in the Vietnamese market.

How do I set a parental PIN in the app?

Tap the Lock icon or the Settings option in the corner of the screen, complete the verification question, then select "Custom passcode" to set a four-digit secret PIN to prevent the child from changing content settings.

Is the Parent code on TV different from the PIN on the phone?

The PIN on the mobile app is used to manage the child’s profile. Meanwhile, the Parent code feature on the YouTube app for Smart TV is a protective code that helps prevent young children from switching from the Kids profile to the adult YouTube account.

Technology in general, and YouTube Kids in particular, are useful tools helping children access a colorful world, but the key to their holistic development remains parental involvement and interactive experiences with the real world.

Parents, visit Mykingdom's nationwide store network or visit the website now to choose authentic age-appropriate smart toys, and together create engaging and joyful playtimes!

See more

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Top LEGO Ninjago sets loved by kids at Mykingdom