How To Create WordPress Child Theme

Last day, we have shared how can you change WordPress theme name. After reading that post, one of our users asked how to create a custom WordPress child theme. In this post, we are going to show you how can you create WordPress child theme using a simple plugin.

Why Use a Child Theme?

If you are using a parent theme on your blog, you are doing a big mistake. Wondering what? It is a simple fact.

In most cases, we will add custom functions and styling to our WordPress theme. So, when the official theme author updates the theme with a new one, we will lose all custom codes and styling.

If you re using a child theme instead, you will not lose any of the functions. Because your child theme will not get updated. Only the parent theme will get updated. Simple and clear.

How To Create WordPress Child Theme

First of all, log in to your WordPress dashboard, go to add new plugins section. You need to install the Child Themify plugin.

After installing, activate the plugin.

You can find the plugin settings under the appearance menu.

From the drop-down, choose any theme that you need to make it parent. In my case, I wish to choose the Starter theme by HappyThemes. Name your new child theme.

Click on the show advance field button. You can enter the theme author name on the section.

Choose extra theme files that you need to add. We highly recommend you importing the header.php file to your WordPress child theme. So, you will be able to add Google analytics code or meta colour on it. After selecting custom theme files, you need to click on create child theme button.

Within a few seconds, your new WordPress child theme will be created.

From the themes section, you can see it.

Activate the theme for watching the live effect.

if you check the WordPress theme editor, you can see mainly 2 files, style.css and functions file. Also if you import any file from the parent theme, you will see that file too there.

That’s it! This is how you can create WordPress child theme using the child themify plugin.

Do I Need To Keep The Plugin Forever?

No, you don’t need it.

After creating a child theme, you can deactivate and delete the plugin from the blog. No worries.

We hope you learned how to create WordPress child theme through this post and enjoyed the read. if you did, please consider sharing this post with your friends on social media.

Also for more related posts, you need to check out our blog section.