American, European & World History YouTube Channels & Videos for Kids

History is definitely not my favorite subject. So when I can find videos and other aids to help in our studies, I do my best to incorporate them. I also think there are so many great history buffs and teachers out there making videos of a subject they are clearly passionate about, that it makes my job that much easier when I utilize them.

Although we are always cautious about using YouTube or other online videos with our children, I do find them to be a great asset in our homeschool. So many times the fun animation, catchy songs or just the way they are presented keep my children’s attention much longer (and better) than reading it from a book.

As we have covered several other spans of history in previous posts, this time I wanted to cover American, World, and European History. I found that while there were plenty of videos out there on these specific topics, many of them were either subpar or not ones I would feel comfortable showing to my own kids, so I would never pass them on to you.

That’s what I love about being able to browse the internet. Yes, it can be a “scary” place for searches, but you can find some real gems and great resources to use for your lessons or add to your book reading to make a fun, interactive learning experience!

Studying American or World History this year? Check out these YouTube channels, playlists and videos to add more to your learning experience!

NOTE: YouTube can be a wonderful tool when used correctly. We encourage parents to review channels first before your child views it. We do not make any claims to know what is appropriate for your child(ren), that is totally your call. Please review these channels to make sure they align with your homeschooling goals and values.

13 Colonies & Colonial America Videos

The History of Colonial America by Flocabulary – They do a wonderful job on their videos. They are told in a rap-py type of rhythm, which really helps kids remember and keeps their attention because it is so fun and interesting. A great way to remember facts!

Thirteen Colonies: Playlist by Mr. Zoller – This playlist includes 3 videos, the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. These are like little mini-classes on each of the colonies. A great video playlist for kids.

Jamestown Settlement/Colony by Kids Academy – Start at the beginning of the colonies with this video. Kids will enjoy learning about the first permanent settlement of those who came from England.

13 American Colonies by Kids Academy – Once you know about the first colony, learn about the rest of them. This is a short video and moves a little slow, but it covers quite a bit of important facts for kids about the 13 colonies.

The 13 Colonies for Kids by Clarendon Learning – This is a little longer video than the others, but gives great background and history of how the 13 colonies came about and what they did to survive.

Life in the 13 Colonies by Mr. Beat – He is rather dry in his delivery, but it is still a solid video and worth the listen. He explains things very well and simply, so it is not only easy to understand but also easy to remember.

13 Colonies Song – Set to the tune of “Yankee Doodle,” this song is a fun way to memorize the 13 colonies. It isn’t a professionally recorded song, but it is easy to understand. It is also a very short video, so you’ll want to play it several times to learn the song.

Mr Betts Class: 13 Colonies – Want a fun way to learn about the 13 colonies? Check out these videos from Mr. Betts Class all done with parodies on popular songs. You might just even find yourself watching just for fun!

 

American History YouTube Videos

Liberty Kids – This is probably one of my kids’ favorite history shows to watch. We own all the DVDs, so we often put them in while running errands or on our travel days. They have a variety of videos all centered around American’s Independence.

Schoolhouse Rock History – Schoolhouse Rock is known for their catchy songs that teach on a specific topic or subject. This isn’t a channel or single video, but rather a search on YouTube for the Schoolhouse Rock History videos. I wouldn’t normally link just a search, but Schoolhouse Rock has so many history videos and they are not all in one place. So this was the best way.

PRESIDENTS – Fun Facts! by Cool School – This video is a quick rundown of several presidents and fun, maybe even little known, facts about them. Do you know which president walked around on stilts? Or which one had a toy named after him? What about which president collected comic books? Find these out and more in this video!

Crash Course: American History – This is the Crash Course American History playlist. It includes over 45 videos all related to American History. Kids can pull up this playlist and watch one after another, or search for videos related to the specific time period in American History they want to study. This is a great one to keep bookmarked.

3 Branches of Government – If you’re studying the United States and the history of America, it is important to know the 3 Branches of Government. This video by Kids Academy, explains them in a fun, kid-friendly way.

Brain Bubble TV – This is a playlist of American History videos from Brain Bubble TV. These are short, one-minute (ish) videos about different times in American History. From train crashes to early traffic laws to the first assassination and so much more!

Shmoop – This is the US History playlist that covers some presidents, the Bill of Rights, The Constitution, The Louisiana Purchase and so much more in over 70 videos. They combine facts with a little bit of humor to keep kids engaged.

Mr Betts Class – This is a super fun channel to learn US History. Mr. Betts teaches through parodies on popular songs to make history not only fun but entertaining. I know my kids learn and remember things better with songs, so this is a fantastic (and creative) way to learn US History.

Extra Credits – They have a ton of videos on their channel. Originally a gamer channel, they have some pretty great history videos for kids now. You can scroll through their playlists to find US History as well as World History videos.

 

You might also enjoy: Ancient, Middle Ages & Modern History YouTube Channels for Kids

 

European & World History Videos

Horrible Histories – This channel focuses on the not-so-pretty history of Europe (and some US History too). It does cover some of the vulgar and gory details of history in a funny and entertaining way, without being gory and vulgar. But I would definitely preview these before letting your children watch. However, they do cover a great bit of interesting (and maybe less studied) history.

Crash Course: European History – This playlist includes 38 videos that take you from the end of the Middle Ages through the last 700 years or so and how Europe has changed and developed.

Crash Course: World History – In this playlist, you’ll cover Ancient History to the French Revolution, and World War II to the Cold War and beyond.

Countries of Europe for Kids – Learn the different countries of Europe by name with this fun video from Kiddopedia!

Adventure into the Renaissance – History for Kids – From Smile and Learn, “’Trip through time, Renaissance for kids’ is a video where kids learn about all the most important aspects of this time: Da Vinci, inventions like the telescope or art in Italy.”

How the Normans Changed the History of Europe – Mark Robinson – This video comes from Ted-Ed and is done with comic book type graphics, which is fun for a little older kids. “In the year 1066, 7,000 Norman infantry and knights sailed in warships across the English Channel. Their target: England, home to more than a million people. Around the same period of time, other groups of Normans were setting forth all across Europe. Who were these warriors, and how did they leave their mark so far and wide? Mark Robinson shares a brief history of the Normans.” -YouTube description

Charlemagne For Kids from Bedtime History – “Learn about Charlemagne or Charles the Great, the powerful king who conquered much of Europe and spread educational and economic reforms across his newfound kingdom.” -YouTube Description

Marco Polo For Kids from Bedtime History – Your kids probably know the pool game, Marco Polo. But do they know about the man? “Learn about Marco Polo, the Italian merchant, who traveled Asia to become one of the earliest European explorers to learn about its culture and people and return to write about it.” -YouTube description

 

For Older Kids

History Teachers – This channel mainly covers world history, but I think it is definitely geared toward high school students. These are done by a variety of history teachers aiming to make history fun and relatable for their students.

Hip Hughes History – Remember that one weird and quirky teacher in high school? These videos will take you back in time. Mr. Hughes tries to be hip and cool, but really he’s just quirky. However, his history is spot on and kids might just remember what they hear because he’s so goofy!

Epic History TV – Focused mainly on World History, this channel is definitely for older kids because of the subject matters it covers. 

 

If video streaming is your thing, check out these other subject-related posts for videos and YouTube Channels:

Educational Movies & Shows for Individual Subjects:

• 29 Educational Science Movies & Shows for Kids
• 45 Movies & Shows for Kids Based on History
• 20 Educational Geography Shows & Movies for Kids
• 28 Kid-Friendly Shows & Movies All About Engineering
• 13 Movies & Shows for Kids All About Mathematics
• 10 YouTube Geography Channels Kids Will Love
• YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers

Find more homeschool resources on my Pinterest boards!