Crash Course Kids
A free YouTube series of short, upbeat science videos for upper elementary, from the makers of Crash Course. Its 95-episode science run covers Earth, physical, life and space science plus engineering.
What is Crash Course Kids?
Crash Course Kids is a free YouTube series from the team behind Crash Course, the popular education channel started by John and Hank Green. It launched in 2015 as a spin-off aimed at younger viewers. Host Sabrina Cruz walks kids through one science idea per episode, with quick animations and plenty of jokes.
The science series has 95 episodes, released from March 2015 to March 2016. In 2025 the channel added a short six-episode literature series.
How it works
There is nothing to sign up for. You open the channel, pick a playlist and press play. Episodes usually run two to five minutes, so a child can watch one or two and then talk about it, draw it, or try a related experiment you set up.
Because there are no worksheets or lesson plans from the creators, the parent decides how to use each video. Many families:
- Watch an episode to introduce a topic.
- Read a library book or do an activity on the same idea.
- Rewatch the episode later as review.
Third-party worksheets for some playlists exist on teacher marketplaces, but they are optional.
What it covers
| Playlist | What kids learn |
|---|---|
| Earth science | Earth's four spheres, natural resources, weathering, erosion, landforms, water |
| Physical science | Properties of matter, gravity |
| Life science | Ecosystems and the flow of energy |
| Space science | Stars, the sun and its effect on Earth |
| Engineering | The engineering design process |
The topics line up closely with common 5th grade science standards. The engineering playlist alone has 17 videos.
Who it's best for
Crash Course Kids is ideal for 3rd to 5th graders who want a clear, fast explanation, and for families who need free science material. It's also handy for parents piecing together their own unit study.
It is not a full curriculum, and younger kids may find it fast. If you want a complete program, browse elementary science options or 5th grade science on Edulist.
Pricing at a glance
Crash Course Kids is free on YouTube. There is no account or paid tier. The only trade-off is YouTube itself, which may show ads and recommended videos, so many parents watch alongside their kids.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
There is nothing to pay for. If your family has scholarship or ESA funds, those are better spent on a full science curriculum, with Crash Course Kids as a free add-on. Learn how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work, or check programs in states like Arizona and Florida. You can save paid programs to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
For structured video lessons with plans and quizzes, Generation Genius covers K–8 and Mystery Science adds hands-on investigations for K–5. Khan Academy is another free option, stronger for middle and high school. For broader documentaries, see CuriosityStream or National Geographic Kids.
See the best educational websites for kids and the best homeschool science curriculum for more.
Who Crash Course Kids is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- 3rd to 5th graders who need a quick, clear explanation of a science idea
- Families on a tight budget looking for free science videos
- Parents building their own science unit who want video hooks
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a complete curriculum with labs and tests
- Young kids in K–2; the pace and vocabulary aim higher
- Parents who want ad-free, closed viewing; YouTube may show ads and recommendations
Crash Course Kids pros and cons
Pros
- Free, with no sign-up
- Short episodes fit easily into a lesson
- Organized into topic playlists that match common 5th grade standards
- Engaging host and quick animations
Cons
- No lesson plans, activities or quizzes from the creators
- Science episodes date from 2015–2016
- YouTube can surface ads and unrelated videos
- Narrow grade band and topic list
What’s included
- 95 science episodes hosted by Sabrina Cruz, usually a few minutes each
- Playlists by topic: Earth science, physical science, life science, space science, engineering
- Free on YouTube with no account
- A short literature series added in 2025
How much does Crash Course Kids cost?
Crash Course Kids is completely free to watch on YouTube. There is no subscription, account or paid tier.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistCrash Course Kids family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
Crash Course Kids FAQs
Is Crash Course Kids free?
Yes. Every episode is free on YouTube with no account. There is no paid version or subscription.
What grade is Crash Course Kids for?
The channel describes itself as made for 3rd to 5th graders, and the science series started with 5th grade topics. Some captioned-media libraries list it for grades 4–8.
Who hosts Crash Course Kids?
The science series was hosted by Sabrina Cruz, who also runs the YouTube channel Answer in Progress. A short literature series in 2025 was hosted by Abby Cox.
Is Crash Course Kids still making videos?
The main science series ran from March 2015 to March 2016 and has 95 episodes. A six-episode literature series was added in 2025, but there is no ongoing science run.
Can Crash Course Kids be a homeschool science curriculum?
Not by itself. It has no lesson plans, labs or assessments from the creators. It works best as a free supplement alongside a program such as Mystery Science or Generation Genius.
Is Crash Course Kids accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing students?
The Earth science playlist is hosted on the Described and Captioned Media Program, and some episodes are available with ASL there. YouTube also offers captions.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: