Brand names for kids & family
Parents find kids' brands through video, photos and app stores, so claim one name on the .com and those platforms. Check the US under-13 privacy rule before you launch an app.
Which platforms should a kids brand claim?
The .com, YouTube and Instagram, plus the App Store and Google Play if you make an app.
| Platform | Why claim it | Cost to join | Sign-up takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | The address parents type and email you at | $11.08 a year | 5 to 15 min |
| YouTube | Shows, songs and videos families search for | Free | 5 to 10 min |
| Photos and Reels for parents | Free | 5 to 15 min | |
| App Store | iPhone and iPad apps | $99 a year | 1 to 21 days |
| Google Play | Android apps | $25 once | 2 to 28 days |
| Trademarks | Protects the name on all of them | From $350 a class (US) | 1 to 2 hours to file |
Start the app stores early. A company needs a D-U-N-S number for Apple, and new personal Google Play accounts must run a 14-day closed test with 12 testers. See the launch checklist.[1]
Checks the .com, YouTube, Instagram, App Store, Google Play and Trademarks in one search.
Which domain endings suit kids and family brands?
Get the .com if you can. Kids endings cost $1.54 to $10.81 to start, and all but .kids renew at $34.50 a year or more.
| Ending | First year | Each year after |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $11.08 | $11.08 |
| .kids | $5.66 | $19.05 |
| .baby | $1.54 | $52.01 |
| .family | $5.66 | $35.53 |
| .toys | $10.81 | $58.19 |
| .school | $5.66 | $34.50 |
These are Porkbun's prices; other registrars differ. More in Which domain ending should I pick?[8]
Which trademark classes cover a kids brand?
Class 28 covers toys and games, and class 25 covers clothing. Add a class for each other kind of product or service you offer under the name.
| Class | WIPO covers | For a kids brand |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Games, toys and playthings | Toys and games |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headwear | Kids' and baby clothing |
| 16 | Paper, printed matter, stationery | Books and coloring books |
| 41 | Education, training, entertainment | Nursery schools, shows, classes |
| 9 | Downloadable software, among other things | A kids' app or game |
| 43 | Food and drink services, temporary accommodation | Day nursery services |
Each extra class adds $350 in the US, €50 to €150 in the EU and £60 in the UK. Read Do I need a trademark before I launch? before you file.[2, 5, 6, 7]
Do kids' apps and sites need COPPA parental consent?
Yes, in the US: the COPPA Rule requires verifiable parental consent before a commercial site or app aimed at under-13s collects their personal information.
| COPPA Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| A child is | Anyone under 13 |
| It covers | Sites, apps and online services aimed at children |
| Before collecting data | Verifiable parental consent |
| Penalty | Up to $53,088 per violation |
To decide whether a service is aimed at children, the FTC looks at its subject matter, visual content, animated characters, music, models and ads. So your brand's characters, music and look all count. Other countries set their own rules.[3, 4]
Sources (8)
- PrimaryZero To 1000's platform catalog: costs and sign-up times from each platform's own pages; domain prices from Porkbun's price list
- PrimaryWIPO: Nice Classification, NCL 13-2026
- PrimaryeCFR: 16 CFR part 312, the COPPA Rule
- PrimaryFTC: Complying with COPPA, frequently asked questions
- PrimaryUSPTO: How much does it cost?
- PrimaryEUIPO: Fees and payments
- PrimaryGOV.UK: Apply to register a trade mark
- PrimaryPorkbun: domain name pricing, the public price list our checker reads daily