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When designing a website for kids, you face new challenges compared to a standard build. Younger audiences need more visual excitement, simple navigation and hands-on interactions to keep them engaged. So, every element should be bright, intuitive and fun.
Plus, there’s the added responsibility of protecting young users online — prioritizing their privacy and ensuring a safe browsing experience. To create a site that truly engages, educates and entertains, focus on colorful visuals, age-appropriate content and an interactive design. This method captures their curiosity while offering a secure space to explore.
Young people approach digital experiences differently than adults, and these distinctions can impact layout and content choices. Here are the main areas to consider when creating a site specifically for these audiences:
Focusing on these factors helps you build a website that is engaging, safe and suited to developmental needs.
Considering how age affects online behavior and preferences is essential. Different groups engage with digital content uniquely, so tailoring your design to match their abilities and interests can enhance the user experience.
Websites for younger children are often bright, bold and easy to navigate. Kids respond well to vibrant colors, oversized buttons and simple interactions that don’t require too many steps or instructions. Use intuitive icons that clearly show what each button does so they can dive right in without much guidance.
These design choices make your site accessible and fun, giving young users a sense of independence as they explore. Keeping the visuals engaging and the navigation straightforward creates a space easy for kids to understand and enjoy.
As you design for school-aged children, consider how interactive features, educational content and easy-to-read text can make your site a go-to resource that parents will encourage their children to use.
Including interactive and educational elements makes your page fun and adds value that kids and their parents will appreciate. When they can easily read and engage with content designed just for them, your site becomes a space they enjoy exploring.
For preteens, a sleeker design, interactive elements and slightly more sophisticated content can make your page engaging and age-appropriate. Around 70% of Gen Z believe websites should be intuitive, so focusing on seamless navigation and clear functionality is essential.
Offering a more polished look with interactive features creates a space that appeals to this age group’s growing sense of style and independence. With thoughtful design, you’ll meet their expectations for an easy-to-use site that respects their maturity while keeping them interested and engaged.
To make your page user-friendly and accessible for young users, focus on an intuitive design that encourages them to explore independently. With online learning now the fastest-growing sector in education — boasting an incredible 900% growth since 2000 with a market expected to reach $350 billion by 2025 — there’s a huge demand for kid-focused digital spaces.
Keep navigation simple, using large buttons and clear icons to help kids move around easily. Adding audio and visual cues keeps them engaged and clarifies where they should click or tap next. Likewise, use large, easy-to-read fonts and concise language to ensure they can dive into your content comfortably and stay engaged.
When designing a website for younger audiences, prioritizing data protection builds trust with them and their parents. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) mandates strict privacy practices for children under 13, and following these guidelines helps you stay compliant and reputable.
Limit data collection to only the essentials, so you’re not storing or sharing unnecessary information about young visitors. Including robust parental controls also empowers parents to oversee their child’s experience, giving them confidence in your site. Finally, provide a clear, straightforward privacy policy that explains how you use their data.
Make fun, accessibility and security your main priorities to create an engaging, safe and user-friendly experience. Combining colorful visuals with easy navigation and strong privacy protections builds a site kids will love and parents will trust.
Eleanor Hecks is the managing editor at Designerly. Connect with her about digital marketing, UX and/or tea on LinkedIn.
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