You probably already know about TED. TED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing important ideas through short, impactful talks. TED Talks are great classroom resources to spark meaningful conversations. (TED-Ed videos are especially valuable because they include complete lesson plans for teachers.) We’ve compiled some of our favorite TED Talks on topics that kids and teens will really enjoy. Ta. Here you’ll find options for every age and interest.
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Additionally, if you like this list of TED talks, download our free printable video response worksheets and pair them with your favorite talks.
STEM TED Talks for Kids and Youth
These videos include TED talks that allow students to learn in a truly immersive way. See practical science in action and explore topics in a way that kids can easily understand.
PET bottle life cycle
Follow the life cycle of three different bottles and learn how plastic affects the environment. (Emma Bryce)
science of skin color
How does our skin come in so many different shades? Learn with this STEM TED talk for kids. (Angela Koine Flynn)
How playing a musical instrument benefits the brain
Listening to music stimulates multiple parts of the brain. Playing a musical instrument trains your entire brain. (Anita Collins)
The simple power of hand washing
6.6 million children around the world never reach their fifth birthday. But the simplest solution – bar soap – could reverse this trend. (Miriam Sidibe)
Science is for everyone (including children)
A neuroscientist shares similarities between science and play with the help of 25 elementary school students. (Beau Lott and Amy O’Toole)
World history told by cats
In the past, wild cats were fierce hunters. Over the centuries, they have become the household pets we now know and love. Learn how our furry friends came to be with this fun TED talk. (Eva-Maria Geigl)
What is dyslexia?
Chances are you have at least one student in your class with dyslexia. Learn how neurodiversity impacts learning and why we need to celebrate it. (Kelly Sandman Hurley)
faster than a calculator
Watch this charming mathematician perform three-digit multiplications in her head faster than her calculator-wielding assistant. (Arthur Benjamin)
squeeze circuit
Your kids will love learning how to make circuits using two different types of homemade playdough. Don’t be surprised if they want to try it themselves. (Annmarie Thomas)
Pancreatic cancer testing by teenagers
Jack has developed an inexpensive, effective, non-invasive test for pancreatic cancer. Oh, and he accomplished it all before his 16th birthday! (Jack Andraka)
Loveable (and dangerous) sea lions
Go swimming with one of the ocean’s coolest creatures, the sea lion. They can hunt for up to 30 hours at a time and reach speeds of 28 miles per hour. (Claire Simeone)
12 year old app developer
“Where do you go to find out how to make apps?” Thomas taught himself to create apps at the age of 12 and now wants to inspire other kids to do the same. Masu. (Thomas Suarez)
your brain on video games
Good news for children! One neuroscientist believes that playing video games in “moderate amounts” may actually have a number of positive effects on our brains. (Daphne Bavelier)
How did you use the wind?
A 14-year-old Malawian boy was looking for a way to help his village fight hunger. Eventually, he built a wind turbine using only spare parts and scrapyard materials. (William Kamkwamba)
A better way to tie shoelaces
Apparently, we all might be tying our shoes the wrong way. Learn how to tie knots faster from this smart teen. (Hannah Michaelis)
How to use paper towels
Learn how to use paper towels correctly with this interesting TED talk. Spoiler alert: We’re doing it wrong, and there’s a lot of waste in the process. (Joe Smith)
Is it possible to be invisible?
Learn how scientists are creating a real-life invisibility cloak in this magical TED talk for kids. (Max G. Levy)
History and Culture TED Talk
Explore history and art topics and make connections with people from all over the world. These also make great TED Talks for middle school and high school students.
exiled princess
Do you think the world’s first known author was a woman? Find out about her life and writings dating back 4,300 years. (Soraya Field Fiorio)
How to see more and care less
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by the shapes and rhythms of nature. Her unique worldview gave birth to American modernism. (Isolt Gillespie)
Ugly History: Witch Hunt
There are some not-so-savory parts of our history, such as centuries of witch hunts. Let’s take a closer look at this difficult chapter in our past and how it happened. (Brian A. Pavlak)
How do dictators seize power?
Is there such a thing as a benevolent dictator? Find out why this statement is a contradiction in terms in this educational TED talk. (Stephanie Honchel Smith)
Why all world maps are wrong
It is simply impossible to create an accurate map of a spherical world. So why do we keep using them, and how can we change them to change our perspective? (Kayla Wolfe)
paradox of poverty
Poverty is a trap that often drags people down, no matter how hard they try. Why should this be so? And how can we overcome it? (Anne Helen Bay)
pixar magic
Go behind the scenes with Pixar’s cinematographers and see what happens when science and art collide to create incredible three-dimensional worlds. (Daniel Feinberg)
Why videos go viral
Only a small percentage of online videos go viral. But then they become part of a cultural phenomenon that fascinates us and is full of mystery. The situation is as follows. (Kevin Allocca)
3 ways to speak English
What does it mean to “speak clearly” in today’s society? Explore one person’s experience navigating three different English dialects at home, at school, and with friends. (Jamila Lyscott)
What determines the value of a dollar bill?
Have you ever wondered how inflation occurs or what determines the value of the dollar? Join Federal Reserve officials to find out. (Doug Levison)
Dance evolves in the internet age
At LXD, we believe dance has a transformative effect. Their stunning street dance performances have become TED talk videos that kids and teens will want to watch over and over again.
Why good books are secret doors
A popular children’s author shares the power of imagination in this playful talk. He introduces us to Nico, an imaginative child who brings messages to life. (Mac Burnett)
Teen trying to figure it out
One teenager realized that women, especially young girls, are often misrepresented in popular media. See what she did about it in this great TED talk for middle schoolers and other teens. (Tabi Gevinson)
Inspiring TED Talks for Children and Youth
Inspire your students to ask more questions and seek out the best the world has to offer with these TED Talks.
What is a hero?
What challenges unite Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and other literary world’s most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? (Matthew Winkler)
How boredom creates great ideas
Believe it or not, boredom can actually lead to some of your most creative results. When your body is on autopilot, your brain is also busy. (Manoush Zomorodi)
danger of silence
“Read critically. Write consciously. Speak clearly. Tell your truth.” Explore the solemn relationship between silence and discrimination. (Clint Smith)
how to start exercising
How does a movement gain traction? Step through the movement forming in real time in less than 3 minutes. (Derek Shivers)
Grit: The power of passion and perseverance
Success and IQ are not as interconnected as many people think. This TED Talk emphasizes the importance of building grit within ourselves and our students. (Angela Lee Duckworth)
Why I love the country that betrayed me
Explore patriotism and social justice with this engaging TED Talk and show that you can question your government and still have faith in it. (George Takei)
Inside the mind of a procrastinator
This relatable TED talk provides interesting insight into the minds of procrastinators. Children will find Instant Gratification Monkey entertaining and very relatable. (Tim Urban)
The power of introverts
The world seems to be made for extroverts, but introverts have power too. Learn why solitude is important and how it contributes to creativity and leadership. (Susan Cain)
How bullying can change your life
Both teachers and students will benefit from this TED talk. Encourage children who are being bullied to seek help, and adults to help them as well. (Fleur Belden)
don’t eat marshmallows
Students will get a laugh from this famous experiment in self-discipline, but they’ll also learn a lot. (Joachim de Posada)
Why Lunch Lady is a Hero
This meaningful talk demonstrates the power of simple gratitude and encourages us to celebrate cafeteria staff and their important work. (Jarett J. Krosochka)
The danger of a single story
Without context, individual stories can provide harmful understandings to others based on a single narrative or experience. (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
everyday leadership
Leadership isn’t about changing the world, it’s about changing each other’s understanding of the world. (Drew Dudley)
Lack of motivation? Look at this.
There isn’t a single student in your classroom who couldn’t use these tips on how to motivate yourself when you’re feeling unmotivated.
Get your free printable video answer worksheet.
Did you like these TED talks? We have video response worksheets that you can use with any of the videos above. The free printable includes before, during, and after sections and a spot to rate the video using a 5-star scale.
