10 Best Practices for Creating Child-Friendly Content

Want to make great content for kids? Here's what you need to know:

1. Match content to age
2. Include learning value
3. Promote good messages
4. Prioritize online safety
5. Use eye-catching visuals
6. Add interactive elements
7. Make it easy to use
8. Get parents involved
9. Show diverse representation
10. Review content regularly

Quick Comparison:

Practice	Why It Matters
Age-appropriate	Kids learn best when content fits their level
Educational value	Combines fun with learning
Positive messages	Teaches good behavior and ideas
Safety first	Protects kids from online risks
Engaging visuals	Keeps kids interested
Interactivity	Encourages active participation
User-friendly	Prevents frustration
Parent involvement	Supports family engagement
Diversity	Helps all kids feel represented
Regular updates	Ensures content stays relevant

Creating for kids is a big job. These tips will help you make content that's fun, safe, and helps kids grow.

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1. Content for the Right Age

Kids aren't all the same. They grow and learn differently, so your content needs to match their age and skills.

Here's a quick guide:

Age	Content	Features
0-3	Board books	Simple words, bright pics
3-8	Picture books	Short stories, lots of images
5-8	Early readers	Simple sentences, some pics
7-9	Chapter books	Longer stories, fewer pics
8-13	Middle-grade	Complex plots, no pics
13-18	Young adult	Adult-like themes, no pics

But remember: every kid is unique.

To nail age-appropriate content:

1. Know your audience: Do your homework on your target age group.
2. Use the right words: Keep it simple for little ones, ramp it up for older kids.
3. Pick fitting topics: Choose stuff that matters to your age group.
4. Test it out: Try your content with real kids.

Dr. Sarah Thompson, child development expert, puts it this way:

"Age-matched content boosts learning and keeps kids hooked. It's not just fun - it helps them grow."

2. Learning Value

Kids want to play AND learn. Good content does both. Here's how:

1. Pick topics kids care about: SplashLearn offers 10,000+ games and worksheets on math and reading.

2. Make it fun: Use games, puzzles, and quizzes. PBS Kids nails this with their multimedia games.

3. Mix learning styles: Some kids learn by seeing, others by doing. ABCmouse uses animations, games, and songs for early elementary skills.

4. Teach life skills: "Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame" teaches problem-solving and calm breathing to 3-year-olds.

5. Keep it fresh: National Geographic Kids always has new articles on animals, science, and history.

Here's a quick look at some top educational apps:

App	Age Group	Main Focus	Price
SplashLearn	PreK-5	Math, Reading	$7.49/month
Khan Academy Kids	2-7	Math, Reading, Social Skills	Free
Duolingo	6+	Languages	$6.99/month
DragonBox Numbers	4-8	Math	Varies

3. Good Messages

Kids' shows should teach helpful ideas and good behavior. Here's how:

Focus on kindness

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood teaches kids to be nice. In "Friends are Different and the Same", kids learn to accept differences.

Teamwork

Bluey shows families working together. The "Camping" episode teaches about friendship and goodbyes.

Role models

Doc McStuffins features a girl who wants to be a doctor like her mom. It helps kids see themselves in positive roles.

Life skills

Paw Patrol isn't just cute puppies. It shows kids using skills to help others.

Fun learning

Maddie's Do You Know? gets kids excited about learning. Maddie explores everyday objects with enthusiasm.

Diversity

Sesame Street has characters from many backgrounds, including a muppet in foster care and one with autism.

Here's a quick look at some shows:

Show	Age	Main Message
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood	2-4	Kindness
Bluey	4-8	Family teamwork
Doc McStuffins	3-7	Following dreams
Paw Patrol	3-7	Helping others
Maddie's Do You Know?	4-7	Curiosity
Sesame Street	2-5	Diversity

Kids learn best when parents talk about the shows with them. Child psychologist Karen Molano says:

"When a caregiver interacts with a child while watching a show, the higher [the] likelihood that the child will retain the information and use it or reenact it in real life."

So, chat with kids about what they watch. It helps the good messages stick!

4. Keeping Kids Safe

Safety is key when creating content for kids. Here's how to protect them online:

Lock it down

Use parental controls to filter content, watch activity, and set time limits. Keep these updated as kids grow and new threats pop up.

Teach smart online habits

Show kids how to stay safe online. Explain why some sites are off-limits and how to spot bad stuff.

Keep tech in the open

Put devices in shared spaces. It cuts down on risky situations with online creeps.

Know their online crowd

Make sure kids only chat with people they know in real life. It's safer that way.

Keep talking

Kids should feel okay telling parents about what they see online. If something's not right, they need to speak up.

Follow the rules

Content creators must stick to laws like COPPA for kids under 13. YouTube got hit with a $170 million fine for breaking these rules.

Check ages

Use tools to keep kids out of grown-up content or platforms.

Be clear about privacy

Explain how you handle personal info in simple terms.

Let users control their info

Give people ways to manage what they share online.

Stay on top of policies

Keep updating rules to deal with new online dangers for kids.

Safety Move	What It Does
Parental controls	Filter content, watch activity, set time limits
Smart online habits	Teach kids about online safety and spotting threats
Open-space tech	Keep devices where family can see
Friend checks	Kids only chat with real-life friends
Open talks	Kids share online experiences
Follow laws	Stick to rules like COPPA for young kids
Age checks	Keep kids out of adult content
Clear privacy rules	Explain data handling simply
User control	Let people manage their shared info
Update policies	Address new online dangers

5. Eye-Catching Pictures

Kids LOVE bright, fun images. Here's how to make your pictures pop:

Bold and Bright

Young kids (2-5) go crazy for primary colors and high contrast:

• Red, blue, yellow? Yes, please!
• Light vs. dark? They're all over it.
• Vibrant backgrounds? Bring it on.

Keep It Simple

Don't go color-crazy. Too much? Kids get overwhelmed. Stick to clean layouts with clear focal points.

Familiar Is Fun

Kids connect with what they know:

• Animals
• Cartoon characters
• Everyday stuff (houses, trees)

Duolingo ABC nails this. They use colorful buildings for different learning levels. Smart, right?

Kid-Friendly Fonts

Text matters too. Go for:

• Easy to read
• Soft and rounded
• Sans-serif

Try Futura, Sofia Pro Soft, or Andika.

Test, Test, Test

What adults like? Might not work for kids. Always test with your target age group.

Age	Colors	Design
2-5	Bold primaries, high contrast	Simple shapes, familiar objects
7-10	Cooler colors, more detail	Abstract, digital game-inspired

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6. Things Kids Can Do

Kids love action. Here's how to spice up your content with fun activities:

Games That Teach

Mix learning and play:

• Decoder Wheel: Kids crack secret codes. It's problem-solving in disguise!
• Backyard Treasure Hunt: A simple map leads to adventure (and map-reading skills).
• DIY Sidewalk Chalk: Kids make their own chalk, then create sidewalk masterpieces.

Online Fun

Free, safe games for kids:

Website	What's Cool
PBS Kids	Games starring favorite TV characters
National Geographic Kids	Animal and nature games
SplashLearn	Math and reading, but fun

Get Moving

Keep kids active:

• Cosmic Kids Yoga: Story time meets yoga time
• Dance Classes: Online videos get kids grooving
• Pool Noodle Pom-Pom Launcher: Household items become an active game

Creative Projects

Spark imagination:

• DIY Paper: Turn old papers into new sheets
• Fire-Breathing Dragon: A cardboard tube becomes a mythical creature

Pick activities that fit your content's age group. Toddlers might love simple crafts, while older kids can tackle trickier games.

7. Easy to Use

Kids want fun, not headaches. Here's how to make your content a breeze:

Big Buttons, Big Win

Ditch tiny links. Kids need buttons they can't miss. PBS Kids nails this with character navigation even toddlers can handle.

Keep It Simple

Too many choices? Kids get lost. Stick to 5-9 main menu options, tops. Each one should scream what's inside.

Pictures Beat Words

Kids love images. The Winnie the Pooh site uses wooden sign graphics for navigation. It's perfect for their forest vibe.

Search for the Big Kids

Older kids? Give them a search bar. It saves them from endless clicking.

Design for Little Hands

Remember:

• 14px font minimum
• Space out those buttons
• Show loading bars (kids get impatient!)

Learn from the Pros

Website	What Works
Peppa Pig	Big icons, simple descriptions
Sesame Street	Easy-to-spot nav + clear action areas
Duolingo Kids	Fun icons and colors for language learning

8. Getting Parents Involved

Parents are a big part of kids' online world. Let's look at how to bring them in:

Team up with parents

Make stuff parents and kids can enjoy together. PBS Kids nails this with their "Family Night" games.

Keep parents informed

Give simple updates about your content. Common Sense Media sends weekly emails with age-based recommendations and conversation starters.

Put parents in charge

Let parents tailor their child's experience. YouTube Kids? Parents can set time limits and filter content.

Teach and empower

Give parents tools to guide their kids online. Google's "Be Internet Awesome" program offers a free Family Guide with tips and activities.

Listen to parents

Ask parents what they need. Nickelodeon regularly polls parents to shape their content.

Website	How They Involve Parents
PBS Kids	"Family Night" activities
Common Sense Media	Weekly parent emails
YouTube Kids	Parental controls
Google	"Be Internet Awesome" Family Guide
Nickelodeon	Parent surveys

Remember: Parents are your allies in creating a safe, fun online world for kids. Bring them into the fold, and everyone wins.

9. Showing Different People

Kids need to see themselves in what they watch and read. It's not just nice - it's crucial for helping all children feel valued.

Here's why diversity in content matters:

• Even babies notice race. By 3, kids can have biases.
• Seeing people like them helps kids feel they belong.
• Not seeing themselves can hurt a child's self-image.

What can content creators do?

1. Mix it up

PBS Kids nails this. Their show "Molly of Denali" uses indigenous advisors to get Alaska's cultures right.

2. Show all kinds of families

"The Bravest Knight" has a family with two dads. It's just normal.

3. Include different abilities

Sesame Street brought in Julia, a Muppet with autism. It helps kids get neurodiversity.

4. Ditch the stereotypes

Skip the one-note characters. Build real personalities.

Show	What They Do Right
Molly of Denali	Indigenous voices
The Bravest Knight	Same-sex parents
Sesame Street	Autism representation
Blues Clues & You	Filipino host

Why it's a big deal:

"When kids see themselves in stories, they see they can be anything - a leader, an inventor, a loving parent, a hero, a doctor. It opens up their world." - Southwest Human Development

10. Checking Content Often

Kids change fast. What's good for them now might not be later. So, keep an eye on your content.

Here's how:

1. Set a schedule: Pick a day each month to review. Mark it down.

2. Fresh eyes: Look at your content like it's new. Does it still work?

3. Ask kids: Get their thoughts. What do they like or find boring?

4. Follow trends: Stay updated on kids' media.

5. Use tools smart: Parental controls help, but they're not perfect. Take YouTube Kids:

Feature	What to Know
Age settings	Choose the right one
Block videos	Use for iffy content
Watch history	See what kids view

Even "safe" apps need checking. A 2020 study found 27% of videos watched by kids under 8 were for older viewers.

"When kids see themselves in stories, they see they can be anything. It opens up their world." - Southwest Human Development

This quote shows why content matters. As kids grow, make sure your content shows all they can be.

Wrap-Up

Creating kid-friendly content is a big deal. It's not just about fun - it's about safety and growth.

Here are the key points:

1. Safety first

Almost 75% of kids have faced online threats. That's why safe content is crucial.

2. Open communication

There's a gap between kids and parents talking about online issues. We need to fix this.

3. Screen time

Kids spend a lot of time online. Our content needs to make a positive impact.

4. Online risks

Many kids encounter inappropriate content or security threats. Our job? Help protect them.

5. Edutainment

Good content should be fun AND educational.

6. Diversity matters

Show different types of people. It helps kids see themselves and learn about others.

7. Stay current

Keep checking your content. What works now might not work later.

Here's a quick checklist for great kids' content:

Do This	Don't Do This
Age-appropriate	Adult themes
Educational value	Pure entertainment
Positive messages	Bad behavior
Prioritize safety	Ignore privacy
Fun visuals	Scary images
Interactive elements	Passive content
Parent involvement	Adult-free zone
Diverse representation	One-sided portrayal
Regular content reviews	Set and forget

Remember: creating for kids is a big responsibility. Let's do it right.

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