How to Create a WordPress Child Theme: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a child theme in WordPress allows you to make customizations to your website while preserving the original theme’s core files and updates. Follow these steps to create a WordPress child theme:

Step 1: Choose the Parent Theme

Select the parent theme that you want to create a child theme for. The parent theme should be well-coded, regularly updated, and provide the foundation for your customizations. Popular parent themes include Twenty Twenty-One, Astra, and OceanWP.

Step 2: Create a New Folder

In your WordPress installation, navigate to the “wp-content/themes” directory and create a new folder for your child theme. Give the folder a unique and descriptive name, preferably related to your website or brand.

Step 3: Create the Child Theme Stylesheet

In the child theme folder, create a new file named “style.css” and open it in a text editor. Add the following code to create the child theme stylesheet:

/*
    Theme Name: My Child Theme
    Template: parent-theme-folder-name
    */

Replace “My Child Theme” with the desired name for your child theme and “parent-theme-folder-name” with the folder name of the parent theme you selected in step 1.

Step 4: Enqueue the Parent and Child Theme Stylesheets

To ensure that both the parent and child theme stylesheets are loaded correctly, you need to enqueue them in the child theme’s functions.php file. Create a new file named “functions.php” in the child theme folder and add the following code:

function my_child_theme_enqueue_styles() {
    wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css' );
    wp_enqueue_style( 'child-style', get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . '/style.css', array( 'parent-style' ) );
}
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_child_theme_enqueue_styles' );

This code enqueues both the parent and child theme stylesheets, ensuring that the child theme’s styles override the parent theme’s styles when necessary.

Step 5: Customize the Child Theme

You can now start customizing your child theme. Add or modify CSS styles, templates, and functions to achieve the desired changes. Any changes made to the child theme will not be affected by updates to the parent theme.

Step 6: Activate the Child Theme

In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to “Appearance” > “Themes.” You should see your child theme listed. Activate the child theme to apply your customizations to the website.

Remember to regularly update your child theme to ensure compatibility with WordPress updates and any updates made to the parent theme.

Creating a child theme gives you the flexibility to customize your WordPress website without the risk of losing your changes when the parent theme updates. Enjoy the freedom to make customizations and create a unique website tailored to your needs!