Have a kid or teen looking to launch their own YouTube channel, but not quite sure how to help them start? You’re not alone! Let’s dive into some YouTube channel ideas that are sure to spark creativity, and maybe even the next streaming sensation!
It’s easy to see the appeal of starting a YouTube channel. It’s a far-reaching platform ideal for sharing your interests and ideas, not to mention all the educational benefits of YouTube. Why just watch hours of engaging content when you could create it yourself, right?
So, let’s talk about getting started (often the hardest part of any new project)!
First things first—brainstorm what your child is passionate about. Hobbies, video games, sports, comedy sketches, baking; whatever they can see themselves discussing and sharing with others!
If drawing a blank, fear not. Maybe one of these ideas can help!
- Movie or video game review
- Answering questions with friends, or about yourself
- Fun facts about you, or some of your favorite things
- Pet video, talking about your pets and how you take care of them
- Guess the song challenge
- Movie or game, according to you
- Game or film theory, making up crazy theories behind the media
- Top five favorite video games, books, or movies
Once a topic is selected, it’s time to think about what type of YouTube channel would best suit the project.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the most successful channel formats and styles. But before we do, a quick note about safety!
Having fun with YouTube is important, but always remember that safety is even more important. This guide is intended for parents, so make sure all content is created and posted with guidance from a trusted adult. Never share personal details like last name, address, phone number, and passwords on the internet! We also recommend considering blocking comments, using restricted mode, and taking other precautions.
With that, let’s dive in!
Top 6 types of YouTube channels for new streamers
Both style and substance are key to success as a YouTuber! So, now that your child has chosen the subject, it’s equally important to think about what genre would make it a “must watch” for potential subscribers.
Each of these options encompasses thousands of videos and some of the most popular content on YouTube. Give one of these a try, and who knows! Your young creator might be one step closer to finding their signature style and developing premium content of their own.
1. Commentaries and Reviews
Commentaries are where the creator or reviewer will talk over a video, discussing their opinions or facts about the video. A commentary can take place in a pre-recorded format or “live” as the personality interacts with the topic of the video.
Examples of this type of channel:
-Commentary on an existing video (your child’s own, or one they find online).
-Making of a video where they discuss something they created. Use footage of them and footage of what it is they’re making. It can be cool to include process images or videos of whatever it is they made.
-Review of a movie, product, video game (using footage from the source, recorded by you or found online and properly cited).
-Commentary while a friend is playing a video game.
Pro Tips:
-Try not to move around too much while talking.
-When talking about a video, be respectful and always offer positive feedback followed by constructive criticism. Always back up why it is they do or don't like something to better validate responses.
-Site sources and always talk about where a video came from if being referenced or used in your video. Drop a link to it in your YouTube description so that viewers can watch the original.
2. Vlogs
All the rage these days, vlogs vary widely in their content! By definition, a vlog is a video blog, so the sky’s the limit.
Examples of this type of channel:
-Day in the life of a soccer player, high school student, musician (really, you name it!), or where your child talks about what they’re doing throughout the day and films things that are happening.
-Travel vlog, where you visit an interesting place with a camera in hand and talk about what's happening as you travel.
Pro Tips:
-Since your child will be talking on camera, they’ll want to make sure they bring the tripod along so that they can keep the camera steady in front of them. They can flip the LCD screen on the camera around to face them so that they can check to make sure they’re in the frame while filming!
-Make sure to talk into the microphone on the camera, whenever possible. Stand as close to the mic as possible, so the voice is audible.
-Add some clips that don't just show your child’s face the whole time - for example, if reviewing a movie, they can include clips from the movie with their voice talking over it in the background.
-To change things up, invite a friend to talk with them in the video so that they can bounce ideas off of them during the recording. It'll feel less scripted this way!
3. Gamecasting
Avid gamers are just steps away from sharing their skills on a YouTube channel. We’d list the types of gamecasting channels out there, but truth be told, we would just end up with a list of video games!
Pro Tips:
-Use the webcam to record the talking, for the whole time.
-Bring in the cases or games themselves to showcase while your child is talking.
-Record videos or take screenshots of your child playing the games at camp or at home (depending on which games they are).
4. Tutorial
To learn something new, your child probably read through or watched tutorials before. A tutorial is made by someone who's knowledgeable in a certain area and wants to share that knowledge.
Kids can create a tutorial video where they teach someone how to do something. Think about a talent they have or anything that they know very well, and let that expertise shine!
Examples of this type of channel:
-Make a paper airplane
-Spin a basketball on your index finger
-Draw a cat (or anything!)
-Put on makeup
-Play a card game
-Do a magic trick
-Play a musical instrument
-Ride a skateboard
Pro Tips:
-A successful tutorial should have clear verbal and visual steps that guide the viewer along.
-Record the voice-over once filming is finished so your child can clearly say what they want to.
-Keep in mind: they can even mute the audio from your video if they're not important to adding steps. Just make sure to include some kind of background music behind the speaking so that the video isn't too quiet if it’s decided to take out the audio.
-Make sure that steps are clear, and video centers on the most important parts. For example, if teaching someone how to play a game, and it’s necessary to explain what a certain card does in the game, hold it up to the camera so it's clearly shown.
-Talk clearly and slowly to make sure the viewer can understand the steps.
-If stumped, they can always create a paper airplane tutorial for practice!
5. Documentary
Your child could create videos that involve interviewing multiple people on a specific topic. These videos could involve questions and answers or documentaries about something that fascinates your child.
Both interviews and documentaries involve multiple people. Make sure your creator has permission from each person before you record the video!
Examples of this type of channel:
-Making of, where it’s shown how something is made (i.e. a movie or product)
-Video game documentary, where people are interviewed about their experiences playing a game and talk about knowledge of the product
-Documentary about a person, where your child talks about how they got where they are today and discusses advice and challenges along the way.
Pro Tips:
-If creating a documentary or commercial, your child can show people doing things related to the video content, while a recorded voice-over better explains it.
-Plan out a list of questions beforehand, so kids are prepared to ask them. Decide if you want the person that you're interviewing to know the questions beforehand, to give them preparation time, or if you'd rather them talk on the spot.
-Edit out any awkward pauses or thinking time if anyone can't think of an answer right away.
-A great time to show footage other than the person being interviewed is when you create a cut in the video, so it doesn't look like they teleport from one position to the next.
-Include subtitles with the name of the people that are being interviewed, when editing the clips together.
-Make sure your child and the interviewee talk into the microphone on the camera, whenever possible. Stand as close to the mic as you can, so that voices are audible.
What are you waiting for? Get Started!
Now the real fun begins.
Think about what type of materials you will need and start planning the essentials (script, storyboarding, props, etc.) Remember, no one gathers a major YouTube following overnight!
If this all sounds like a lot to take on, don’t worry: YouTube streaming offers limitless opportunities to learn, even for experts. For some guidance on getting started, check out these handy resources: