Skip to the main content
PeabodyMake a free story

Do it together

12 videos that explain AI to kids

A good video can explain a hard idea in five minutes, especially when you watch together and pause to talk. These picks come from trusted educators: Code.org, PBS Crash Course, TED-Ed, MIT and Common Sense, plus a few gems for older kids. Most are short and free. Watch first on your own if your child is young, and pair each one with a question or a hands-on activity. YouTube links can lead into recommended videos, so use full screen and stay nearby.

We picked free videos from nonprofit or academic educators with lesson plans or clear age fit, and checked availability in Oct 2026. YouTube links were taken from Code.org's own series page. Checked 2026-10-24. Nobody paid to be here and nothing is an affiliate link.

  1. How AI Works: What is Machine Learning?

    Code.org · Free · Ages 10+

    A short, clear opening to Code.org's series that explains how machines learn from data. Part of a free set with lesson plans, so you can follow up with activities.

  2. How AI Works: Training Data and Bias

    Code.org · Free · Ages 10+

    Shows how the data an AI learns from shapes what it does, including unfair results. Pair it with AI for Oceans for a hands-on follow-up.

  3. How AI Works: Chatbots and Large Language Models

    Code.org · Free · Ages 11+

    Explains how chatbots predict text and why they make mistakes. One of the clearest kid-level explanations of the tools your child will meet most, with a free lesson plan you can borrow for a family talk.

  4. How AI Works: How Neural Networks Work

    Code.org · Free · Ages 11+

    A friendly picture of neural networks without any math. It shows layers passing signals along to make a guess. Follow it with the TensorFlow Playground for curious kids who want to try one.

  5. How AI Works: How Computer Vision Works

    Code.org · Free · Ages 10+

    How computers turn a grid of pixels into recognizing a face, a cat or a stop sign. A good match for a Teachable Machine session the same day, so kids see the idea and then try it.

  6. Ethics and AI: Equal Access and Algorithmic Bias

    Code.org · Free · Ages 11+

    A short talk on fairness and who gets left out when AI is built without them. A strong starter for a dinner conversation about societal impact, which the AI4K12 framework puts at the center.

  7. Crash Course Artificial Intelligence

    Crash Course with PBS Digital Studios · Free · Ages 12+

    A 20-episode series hosted by Jabril Ashe with John Green Bot. It covers supervised learning, neural networks, language, bias and more, with some build-along coding episodes. From 2019, so it predates today's chatbots.

    Watch for: Older series; pair with a newer video on chatbots.

  8. How does artificial intelligence learn?

    TED-Ed (Briana Brownell) · Free · Ages 11+

    An animated TED-Ed lesson on the main ways machines learn, with quiz questions and discussion prompts on the lesson page. Short enough for a weeknight, with enough depth for a good follow-up talk.

  9. Large Language Models explained briefly

    3Blue1Brown (Grant Sanderson) · Free · Ages 13+

    A short animated explainer made for a Computer History Museum exhibit. Beautiful visuals show how a chatbot predicts words. Great for teens; longer deep-dive videos follow if they get hooked.

  10. How I'm fighting bias in algorithms

    TED (Joy Buolamwini) · Free · Ages 12+

    MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini tells how face-detection software failed to see her face until she wore a white mask. A personal, powerful story about bias.

  11. Coded Bias (documentary)

    PBS Independent Lens (dir. Shalini Kantayya) · Ages 14+

    A feature documentary following Joy Buolamwini's research on facial recognition and her push for accountability. A family movie night for teens that sparks real debate.

    Watch for: Feature length; check current streaming availability on PBS.

  12. Day of AI family videos

    Day of AI and Common Sense Media · Free · Ages 6+ with parents

    Three short family-friendly videos on what AI is, privacy and fairness, and using AI for schoolwork, each with a family guide. Made for watching together.

More lists

All 112 lists →