The YouTube Kids mobile app is undergoing a major redesign, aiming to make it look and behave more like the standard YouTube app. The update, rolling out over the next few weeks on iOS and Android, will introduce a new visual and functional refresh, marking a significant departure from its previous toy-like design.

Launched nearly a decade ago, YouTube Kids has undergone only one major redesign in 2017. The new update is a substantial overhaul, incorporating elements from the recent design changes in the main YouTube app. The refreshed design aims to provide a more mature and streamlined experience for young users.

One of the most notable changes is the addition of portrait mode support, allowing kids to browse through videos in a more intuitive and comfortable way. This feature is a significant improvement, as the app previously only supported widescreen landscape viewing.

The updated YouTube Kids app will feature a newly designed carousel for familiar content filters, clearly labeled by topic, such as gaming, shows, music, or the educationally inclined "Explore" tab. These buttons will occupy less horizontal space, making it easier for kids to navigate. Other shortcuts, including Home, Search, and Profile, will be moved to a new navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.

A new "Your Stuff" page will also be introduced, serving as a dedicated portal to find content that users have downloaded, shared, or previously watched. Parental controls and other settings will remain in dedicated views, with shortcuts for those always accessible in the upper right corner, next to the Cast button.

The redesign is a significant step forward for YouTube Kids, which has been criticized in the past for its lack of maturity and limited features. By adopting a more streamlined and intuitive design, the app aims to provide a better experience for its young users. The update will not affect the web and smart TV experiences, which will remain unchanged.

The rollout of the updated YouTube Kids app is expected to take place over the next few weeks on iOS and Android. As the app continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it adapts to the changing needs of its young users and the broader online video landscape.