To download videos from YouTube Kids, you don't need any third-party tools, the official app has a built-in offline feature that lets you save videos directly for road trips, flights, or anywhere with spotty internet. For saving videos outside the app to your device's gallery, you can download YouTube videos ss using a separate method. Once you're signed in, just tap the download icon on any video, and it will be stored inside the app for offline playback whenever your child needs it.
Before you start: requirements for downloading
Before you can save anything, make sure you're signed in to the YouTube Kids app, downloads are only available to signed-in users. Your device also needs to meet the minimum requirements: Android 4.1 or above for phones and tablets, or iOS 16.0 or later for iPhone and iPad. Finally, check that you have the latest version of the YouTube Kids app installed, since older versions may not show the download option at all.
Step 1: Find and select a video to download
Open the YouTube Kids app and browse through the categories, Shows, Music, Learning, and more, or use the search bar to find a specific video. Once you've found something your child wants to watch offline, tap on it to open the video player. Look for the download icon, which appears as a downward arrow, typically in the menu next to the video title or in the share options. If you see it, the video is available for offline saving; if not, that particular video may have restrictions set by its uploader. For a wider selection of downloadable content on a computer, you can download videos from YouTube premium on PC.
Step 2: Tap the download button
From the video's menu, select the "Download video" option. The download will start immediately, and you can track its progress by looking for the download icon, it will show a circular progress indicator or fill up as the video saves to your device. You can keep browsing or even close the video player while the download continues in the background, as long as you stay connected to the internet until it finishes.
Step 3: Access your downloaded videos offline
When you're ready to watch without an internet connection, open the YouTube Kids app and tap the Downloads section, usually found in the main menu or on the home screen. Tap any video to play it instantly, no Wi-Fi or cellular data needed. This is perfect for long car rides, airplane trips, or anywhere you know the connection will be unreliable.
Managing download settings and limits
As a parent, you have full control over how downloads work. Open the app's Settings icon, then complete the math problem or enter your custom passcode to access the parent gate. From there, select "Background & Downloads" to adjust video quality (lower quality saves space, higher quality looks better on larger screens), toggle "Download over Wi-Fi only" to avoid using mobile data, and use the storage limit slider to cap how much device space offline videos can take up. Keep in mind two built-in limits: you can save a maximum of 20 videos at a time, and each downloaded video expires after 30 days unless the device connects to the internet at least once within that period, which refreshes the 30-day window automatically.
Troubleshooting common download issues
Another common issue is the 30-day expiration: if a video disappears from your Downloads section, it simply means the offline period lapsed without an internet connection. Reconnect your device to Wi-Fi, open the app, and re-download the video if it's still available. For storage problems, check the "Background & Downloads" settings to see if you've hit the 20-video cap or the storage limit slider, reduce the limit or delete older downloads to make room. If downloads keep failing, make sure you have a stable internet connection and that the app is updated to the latest version.
