Can a Kids YouTube Channel Make Money? Honest Answer

Step one: the YouTube Partner Program

You can't earn from YouTube ads until you're in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). There are two ways in for full ad revenue sharing:

1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours on long videos in the last 12 months, or
1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

You also need 2-Step Verification, no active Community Guidelines strikes, an AdSense account, and to live where YPP is available. Applications are reviewed by people, it usually takes about a month, and approval isn't automatic. YouTube has announced updated YPP terms from 1 February 2027, so check the current terms page before you apply.

What Made for Kids changes about money

Made for Kids videos can show ads, but only contextual ones, based on the video itself rather than the viewer. Personalised ads and remarketing are off, and whole ad categories are not allowed on kids content (YouTube’s kids ad rules). YouTube doesn't publish what kids channels earn, but with fewer advertisers and no personal targeting, earnings per view are generally lower than on general-audience channels. We won't guess a number, and you should be wary of anyone who does.

These are switched off on Made for Kids content:

Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks
The merch shelf and YouTube Shopping
Comments and the notification bell
End screens and cards

What still works

Contextual ads on long videos, plus a share of YouTube Premium revenue when Premium members watch.
Shorts revenue sharing, if you're in YPP and the Shorts are original (rules).
Off-YouTube income: your own songs on streaming services, books, printables for parents, licensing your characters, or a small shop for grown-ups. Never ask children in a video to buy something; the FTC takes marketing to kids seriously.
Sponsorships, carefully. Young children can't tell ads from stories, so any deal should be aimed at parents and clearly disclosed.

A money plan that doesn't cut corners

Set the channel to Made for Kids and keep it that way.
Make original long videos and gentle compilations. Watch hours come from videos children watch again.
Build playlists so one video leads to the next.
Apply to YPP once you qualify, and turn on 2-Step Verification early.
Add one off-YouTube income line that suits your characters, such as songs on streaming.
Every month, look at which videos people finish, and make more like those.

What not to do

Don't mark kids videos as "not made for kids" to get personalised ads or comments. YouTube warns it may act on your account, and regulators can too (here’s why). Don't mass-produce lookalike AI videos: under the inauthentic content policy that is a quick way to lose monetisation. And don't buy views or subscribers.

How Toddlecast helps

Toddlecast helps you make fewer, better videos: an original song, consistent characters, captions, thumbnails and an SEO pack for each idea, with a child-safety check and a human review checklist. You always see the credit cost before you generate. We can't promise income, and we won't.

Start free: 30 credits Try the Studio demo

Toddlecast is opening soon. The free start includes 30 credits, enough to try a character sheet, a thumbnail and an SEO pack. Paid plans are planned from $19 a month.

Frequently asked questions

How many subscribers does a kids channel need to make money?

To share ad revenue you need at least 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days, and then YouTube has to approve your application.

Do Made for Kids channels earn less?

Usually, yes. Only contextual ads can run, personalised ads are off and some advertiser categories are excluded. YouTube doesn't publish kids earnings figures, so treat any exact number you see online as a guess.

Can a kids channel have memberships or Super Thanks?

No. Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks and YouTube Shopping are not available on Made for Kids channels.

Can I sell merch from a kids channel?

The YouTube merch shelf is switched off on Made for Kids content. You can still run your own shop for parents, as long as your videos don't push children to buy.

Will AI-made kids videos get monetised?

They can, if each video is original and has a real story or purpose. Templated, repetitive AI videos fall under YouTube's inauthentic content policy and can lose monetisation.

How long until a kids channel makes money?

There's no honest fixed answer. Many channels take many months to qualify for the Partner Program, some never do, and early earnings are often small. Plan it as a long project.

Sources

YouTube is a trademark of Google LLC. Toddlecast is not affiliated with or endorsed by YouTube. This guide is general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. Rules change; check the linked official pages.

Can a kids YouTube channel make money?