Best video editing apps & tools for kids & teens

Virginia
May 21, 2021

Yes—video editing for kids has never been more accessible and supported by multiple platforms, apps, and other tools; there’s something for every age and experience level. The key lies in knowing which tool is best for your child!

Before we dive in, it goes without saying that any sort of film project, especially one with online streaming components, should be carefully supervised and done with adult guidance, and there’s no “one size fits all” tool to teach video editing.

The good news is, we’ve scoured the internet for the best video editing software, apps, and tools for kids to hone their skills.

Best Video Editing Software & Tools for Kids & Teens

Whether it’s a free movie editor your child can use to experiment with or a pro software for your more experienced streamer, you’ll find the right fit among these options.

Each has been kid-tested, but keep in mind that some are designed specifically for kids and others are more sophisticated and even used at the professional level.

To kickstart your search, here’s a breakdown (in no particular order) of some of the best video editing tools for kids and teens in 2021!

1. Powtoon

Powtoon is great for beginners looking to dip their toes in the water of video making, and its user-friendly setup makes recording screen videos a snap. It’s popular in school settings too and offers a fun way to elevate been-there-done-that presentations and projects!

2. Stop Motion Studio

Highly-rated and free to use, the Stop Motion Studio app is perfect for budding animators. To quote one review, “The app is so cool! And I like how you can add drawings to the frames to make it look like the characters are using powers!”

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a favorite in the professional world, and while at a higher price point (available in annual or monthly subscription purchase), it’s well worth the investment for experienced young filmmakers (or for those with high aspirations).

This software is perfect for taking kids’ YouTube channels to the next level or helping them practice on awesome existing footage, like the world-famous Dude Perfect trick shots!

4. Shadow Puppet Edu

Ideal for elementary-aged students, Shadow Puppet Edu is a drag-and-drop free video-making app. It’s a great way to introduce storytelling in a video format with plenty of educational applications.

5. Magisto

A free windows software, Magisto offers “smart editor” and preset theme features that make it easy for beginners to create memorable, high-quality videos.

6. Splice

Splice is a free video editing app that makes video making easy on an iPhone or iPad. Kids can animate photo collections or create share-ready videos.

7. Anamotica

It holds the #1 spot for windows video editors, and it’s easy to see why. Anamotica offers free, “light,” and pro options for all levels of experience with video making and is compatible with all forms of social media.

8. Adobe After Effects

Video effects? Check! Cool animations? Check! Adobe After Effects is a great way to make ordinary footage extraordinary. Kids can watch their videos transform before their eyes and learn how to add YouTube effects that are sure to impress potential subscribers.

9. LEGO Movie Maker

If your child loves combining their interests, LEGO Movie Maker could be just the thing! It’s so popular with young filmmakers, the app is on its second edition and is a wonderful way to make LEGO masterpieces into imaginative shorts!

10. Open Shot

Free and open-source, Open Shot is great for older kids looking to explore video making. The website offers a number of tutorials, screenshot “how-to’s,” and lots of other resources for first-timers and experienced creators alike.

11. Adobe Creative Cloud

If your child is looking to take their video skills or YouTube channel to the next level, but isn’t sure where to start, a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud is a great option. Kids can enjoy a student discount and explore multiple sophisticated tools to find the best fit for their projects.

If they could use some expert guidance, our Virtual Tech Camps can provide that, plus a collaborative environment to get the creative juices flowing!

12. VideoScribe

Screencasting is both a great intro to video making and an incredibly versatile skill, especially these days, and VideoScribe offers a great way to start. It’s a great platform for tutorial videos, school projects, and more.

13. PicPlayPost

Over 80,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating speak for themselves here, PicPlayPost is a great free video editor. Particularly useful for slideshows and montages, it’s a good one to try out that works seamlessly with photos.

14. iMovie

iMovie has been around the block quite a few times with multiple rounds of updates from Apple. It’s convenient to use with iPhone/iPad and offers an approachable intro to video-making.

15. Filmr

This app offers ways to dabble with filters, special effects, and all-popular gifs and memes. Filmr makes adding music, transitions, and other cool bells and whistles easy on mobile devices.

16. InShot

Attention gamecasters! InShot is a free, user-friendly video editing tool that’s earned thousands of five-star ratings. To quote one review, “I’ve been using InShot for about 2 months to edit my gameplay videos and the occasional meme and it has worked wonders. The app allows you to combine separate videos with an in between animation, adjust speed, add filters, extract audio, and a lot more with not many limitations.”

17. Flipaclip

Calling all cartoonists! Flipaclip is a free app that brings kids’ creativity to life through animated shorts. If your child enjoys doodling, cartoons, or comics, this app is a great way to introduce animation skills.

Get started today!

Steven Spielberg once said, “You shouldn’t dream your film, you should make it!” And while the world of movie making has expanded to screens big, small, and pocket-sized, his advice is as true for vloggers as it is for major motion picture directors.

Encourage your child to get started and get their voice, creativity and vision out there today! Check out our creative course catalog to find the perfect next step in their journey.

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Virginia

Virginia started with iD Tech at the University of Denver in 2015 and has loved every minute since then! A former teacher by trade, she has a master's in education and loves working to embolden the next generation through STEM. Outside the office, you can usually find her reading a good book, struggling on a yoga mat, or exploring the Rocky Mountains.

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Publish Date: October 27, 2024

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Best video editing apps & tools for kids & teens

Best Video Editing Software & Tools for Kids & Teens

1. Powtoon

2. Stop Motion Studio

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

4. Shadow Puppet Edu

5. Magisto

6. Splice

7. Anamotica

8. Adobe After Effects

9. LEGO Movie Maker

10. Open Shot

11. Adobe Creative Cloud

12. VideoScribe

13. PicPlayPost

14. iMovie

15. Filmr

16. InShot

17. Flipaclip

Get started today!

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