How to Create a WordPress Child Theme, Step by Step

Did you know that 85% of WordPress users modify their themes? However, many face challenges when directly editing their core themes, such as breaking site functionality or compatibility issues during updates. This is where child themes come to the rescue. 

A child theme allows you to customize your WordPress website without altering the core files of the parent theme. This ensures that when the parent theme is updated, your modifications to the child theme remain intact.  

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything starting from how to create a child theme to how to troubleshoot child theme issues. But first thing first, let’s start with the basics. 

What is a child theme?

As you all know WordPress themes are a collection of files that define the visual appearance and functionality of a website. One can create a child theme to safely make modifications to CSS, templates and add new functions. The child theme ensures that the original WordPress theme remains intact, especially during theme updates.  

A child theme inherits the features, styles, and functions of another theme, known as the parent theme. This structure allows you to customize specific elements of the child theme, such as template files, styles (like background color), or functions, without altering the parent theme’s code. 

This way, you preserve your customizations and keep the integrity of the parent theme’s structure. But why are child themes essential?

Why use a child theme?

The child theme is essential for safe, future-proof customization in WordPress. When you directly modify a parent theme, any future updates to that WordPress theme can overwrite your customizations, leading to loss of changes and potential site issues.  

You can create a child theme to adjust your site’s appearance and functionality without touching the core files of the WordPress themes. This make sures that changes to the core theme won’t affect your customizations, offering greater flexibility, security, and ease of maintenance. 

Additionally, the child theme in WordPress allows you to experiment with custom CSS file, PHP file functions and layouts while preserving the stability of the parent style. 

Creating a child theme is the perfect solution for developers and site owners who want to make unique changes without worrying about breaking the core functionality or design of the parent theme’s style. Additionally, the child theme configurator makes it easier to extend your website’s features without conflicting with the WordPress themes directly with updates. 

A child theme generator enables you to build a highly customized, scalable website with a child theme directory that is protected from disruptions caused by theme updates, ensuring your changes are safe and sustainable over the long term. 

How to create a WordPress child theme

There are three main ways to create a child theme in WordPress: using a plugin, hiring a theme developer, or creating it manually. Here’s a breakdown of each method of creating WordPress child theme to help you decide which approach works best for your needs. 

1. Use a plugin

Creating a WordPress child theme via a plugin is the easiest option, especially for those without coding experience. Plugins like Generate Child Theme allow you to set up a child theme in just a few clicks without needing to write or modify code. Here’s how to do it: 

Steps to create a child theme in WordPress with a plugin: 

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. 
2. Search for Generate Child Theme and click Install Now. 
3. Once installed, click Activate. 
4. Navigate to the plugin menu and enter details like the parent theme name and description. 
5. The child theme is created automatically, ready for further customization. 

This WordPress child theme creation method is beginner-friendly and allows for quick, safe customizations.

2. Hire a theme developer

If you’re looking for a more tailored, professional design for your website, hiring a theme developer is a smart choice. A skilled developer can either build a custom WordPress theme from scratch or modify an existing theme to perfectly match your brand and functionality needs. 

They handle every step—from installing and configuring the newly created child theme to ensuring compatibility with plugins and WordPress updates. 

Hiring a developer is ideal for those with specific design requirements or who want a hands-off approach to technical details. Developers can also offer ongoing support, ensuring that your site is optimized and up-to-date. 

Additionally, developers bring expertise in advanced customization, including writing custom CSS, PHP functions, and JavaScript to meet your website’s unique needs. They ensure that the new child theme is scalable, secure, and functional, and can even help with SEO optimization and performance tuning.  

Creating a child theme with the help of a professional WordPress website developer is particularly valuable for businesses seeking a refined, custom-built WordPress site without compromising performance or flexibility. 

3. Create a child theme in WordPress manually 

For more experienced users or those who prefer a hands-on approach, manually creating a child theme provides full control over customization.  

It requires some basic coding skills, but the process is straightforward with the right guidance. 

Before you start 

• Back up your website: Always back up your WordPress website before making changes. This ensures you may revert to a previous version of a basic WordPress theme if something goes wrong. 
• Establish a staging area: To safely test the directory of your child theme without compromising the live WordPress site, set up a staging site. 
• Basic coding knowledge: You’ll need some understanding of HTML, CSS code and PHP files to work with child theme manually.

Step-by-step guide on how to create a WordPress child theme manually

1. Make the child theme folder

Start by creating a new folder in the themes directory of your WordPress installation, named wp-content/themes. Name the child theme folder by appending “-child” to the name of the parent theme. For instance: If your parent theme is OceanWP, then name its child theme oceanwp-child.

2.Create the stylesheet: 

• In the WordPress child theme folder, create a file named style.css. This file will contain your custom CSS styles. It should begin with the following template: 

/* 
Theme Name: OceanWP Child 
Theme URI: http://yourwebsite.com/oceanwp-child/ 
Description: OceanWP Child Theme 
Author: Your Name 
Author URI: http://yourwebsite.com 
Template: oceanwp 
Version: 1.0.0 
*/

Make sure the Template field matches the child theme’s folder name of the parent theme’s folder exactly. 

3. Enqueue the stylesheet

To ensure the child theme loads the style parent theme correctly, you need to enqueue the child theme stylesheets. Create a functions.php file in the child theme folder and add the template file with the following code: 

<?php 
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_theme_enqueue_styles' ); 
function my_theme_enqueue_styles() { 
    $parenthandle = 'parent-style'; // This is the handle of the parent theme. 
    wp_enqueue_style( $parenthandle, 
        get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css', 
        array(), 
        wp_get_theme()->parent()->get('Version') 
    ); 
    wp_enqueue_style( 'child-style', 
        get_stylesheet_uri(), 
        array( $parenthandle ), 
        wp_get_theme()->get('Version') 
    ); 
} 
?> 

4. Install the child theme

Use any of the regular methods of installing WordPress themes. You can use FTP to copy your child theme folder. Or you can  

• Compress your child theme folder into a .zip file. 
• Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New and upload the zip file, or use FTP to upload the folder directly to your server. 

5. Activate the child theme

• In the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes and activate your child theme. 

This manual method to create a child theme gives you full control over customization and coding, allowing you to modify the child theme to suit your exact needs.

Common mistakes to avoid with child themes

When creating a child theme, it’s essential to avoid common pitfalls that can disrupt the functionality or styling of your WordPress site. Here are some errors to watch out for: 

1. Incorrectly enqueueing styles

A common mistake is failing to properly enqueue the child theme’s stylesheet or incorrectly loading the parent theme’s stylesheet. Make sure you use wp_enqueue_style() in the functions.php file to ensure both the child themes stylesheets are loaded correctly, preventing broken designs. 

2. Overriding parent theme functions improperly 

When overriding functions from the parent theme’s files, it’s crucial not to fully duplicate functions. Instead, selectively modify functions within your child theme’s files, ensuring important core functionality isn’t lost. 

3. Misnaming the child theme

Ensure that the template parent theme folder name in the child theme’s style.css file exactly matches the parent theme’s folder name. A mismatch can cause the template files in the WordPress child theme to fail to inherit the parent theme’s functionality. 

4. Editing parent theme files

Accidentally modifying the parent theme’s files directly can cause issues during updates, as your changes will be overwritten. Always make changes within the child theme. 

5. Missing or misconfigured functions.php

Forgetting to properly configure the functions.php file can lead to missing functionalities. Ensure the child theme’s functions.php properly references and enhances the parent theme’s functionality rather than replacing the WordPress child theme entirely. 

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid breaking your website or causing theme conflicts, ensuring a smooth and error-free customization experience.

Where are child themes stored?

Child themes are stored in the wp-content/themes directory of your WordPress installation, in their own dedicated folder, separate from the parent theme. This new folder and structure allows the child theme to inherit all functionalities from the parent theme while keeping custom modifications safely isolated. 

Because the twenty one child theme is stored separately in the child theme directory, you can freely make changes—such as customizing CSS code, templates files or adding functions—without impacting the core files of the parent theme directly. 

Your modifications in the child theme directory are preserved even when the parent theme is changed, guaranteeing that your website is updated without losing its unique features. 

To illustrate: 

• wp-content/themes/parent-theme: Contains the original parent theme files. 
• wp-content/themes/child-theme: Contains the customized child theme files. 

This separation allows you to safely update the particular parent theme, receive security patches, and access new features while preserving your child theme’s stylesheet unique customizations. 

Can you install multiple child themes?

While you cannot create a single child theme in WordPress from multiple parent themes, there is no limit to how many child themes you can create from one parent theme.  

Each twenty one child theme can have its own design and set of customizations, stored in its separate folder in the wp-content/themes directory. However, only one child theme can be activated at a time per WordPress installation. 

You can create multiple WordPress child theme to experiment with different layouts or functionalities across various sections of your site. For instance, you could develop a specific design for different events, seasons, or branding updates, and easily switch between child themes as needed. 

Although out of all twenty twenty two theme, only one child theme can be active at a time, you can switch between them seamlessly, depending on the appearance or functionality you want to apply to your site. This flexibility makes the child template ideal for developers looking to maintain site continuity while exploring multiple design options. 

What happens if you delete the parent and child themes? 

If you delete the parent theme, your child theme wizard will no longer function properly since it depends on the parent theme for its core features, styles, HTML tags and structure. The child theme inherits most of its functionalities from the parent, so without it, the child theme will break, causing your WordPress website to malfunction. 

On the other hand, if you delete the child theme, your website will revert to the parent theme. This will remove any customizations made in the child theme, but your WordPress site will still function using the original parent WordPress theme settings. 

To avoid problems, always ensure the child theme’s directory backups are in place before deleting any existing template file.

The pros and cons of using a child theme in WordPress

Many web admins create a child theme to customize their websites. Weigh the following pros and cons of child theme in WordPress to decide if it’s a good approach for you.

Advantages of WordPress child themes 

Easier customization

With a child theme, you can easily make changes in your WordPress dashboard without needing FTP access. This saves time and streamlines the process, making it easier to tweak designs and functionality. 

Avoids compatibility issues

A child theme protects the parent theme’s core code. If a mistake is made while editing the child theme, the parent theme remains unaffected, preventing potential site crashes. 

Error management

Mistakes in the child theme wizard can be quickly corrected by reverting to the original theme. This ensures more control over customizations while keeping the site operational. 

Clean code management

Using a child theme in WordPress ensures that custom code is neatly separated from the parent theme’s core files, making the codebase more organized and easier to maintain. 

Updates and maintenance

With a child theme, updates to the parent theme won’t affect your customizations. This ensures your WordPress site can benefit from security patches and improvements while maintaining a customized look. 

Learning and development

The child theme’s folder can help users deepen their knowledge of WordPress theme development, offering an opportunity to code, practice and learn in a safe environment. 

Disadvantages of WordPress child themes

Requires technical knowledge 

Customization with a child theme requires a deeper understanding of WordPress themes and development, such as knowing how child themes override the parent theme’s functions and styles. Users must be familiar with CSS file, PHP, and the WordPress framework. 

Additional steps in workflow

Managing both parent and child themes involves more steps and adds complexity to the workflow. This can slow down the process of making changes, especially for beginners. 

Dependency on parent theme updates

A child theme is entirely dependent on the parent theme. If the parent theme isn’t updated regularly, security risks and compatibility issues can affect both the parent and child themes. Conversely, updates to the parent theme can occasionally introduce conflicts or break the child theme functionality. 

Limited customization scope

The customization you can achieve with a child theme is limited to what the parent theme allows. If the parent theme’s structure doesn’t meet your needs, you may have to invest considerable time coding custom solutions or consider switching themes altogether. 

Potential conflicts with plugins

Some plugins may conflict with customizations made in the child theme, especially if those plugins require specific parent theme hooks or functions. Incompatibilities can lead to functionality breakdowns that need to be addressed manually. 

By weighing these pros and cons, the clear choice to create a child theme is the right solution or not depends on you. 

Best practices for updating child theme in WordPress 

Updating a WordPress child theme can be complex, especially when both the parent and child themes receive updates. Follow these detailed strategies to ensure smooth updates while preserving customizations to the newly created child theme: 

1. Backup before updates: Always create a full backup of your website, including both the child and parent themes, before performing updates. This guarantees you can restore your site if anything breaks. 
2. Review parent theme changelog: Before updating, carefully review the changelog of the parent theme to understand the changes made. Focus on modifications to CSS files and functions, as they can impact the child theme. If major changes are introduced, assess whether those updates will affect your customizations. For example, changes to a parent theme’s structure or functions might break dependencies in your child theme. 
3. Test in a staging environment: Before applying updates on the live website, use a staging environment to test. A staging site is a replica of your live site with complete WordPress theme where you can safely test new updates and troubleshoot any issues without affecting your users. Bluehost offers built-in staging environments with certain hosting plans, simplifying the process. 
4. Avoid direct function overrides: Instead of overriding core theme functions, which can lead to conflicts during updates, use WordPress hooks and filters. This method ensures you modify functionality without directly altering core files and code snippet. By using hooks, your child theme customizations will remain stable even if the parent theme updates critical functions. 
5. Manual child theme updates: Sometimes, the parent theme introduces new features or improved functionalities that you want to integrate into your child theme’s folder. Rather than updating automatically, manually review and incorporate these changes to prevent unwanted overwrites. For instance, if the core theme adds new CSS for responsiveness, review these changes and manually update your child theme’s stylesheet if needed. 
6. Regularly clean your child theme code: As your website evolves, some customizations may become redundant or outdated. Regularly review your child theme’s code to ensure it’s clean and efficient. Removing unused code reduces potential conflicts during updates, ensuring both themes run smoothly. 
7. Document your changes: Keeping a detailed log of the modifications you’ve made in your child theme can save time during updates. This documentation helps you quickly spot potential areas of conflict and track what needs to be checked or adjusted after a parent theme update. 

By following these best practices to create a child theme, you can ensure that updates to the core theme do not disrupt the functionality of your child theme, maintaining a stable, secure, and customized website.

How to troubleshoot a child theme in WordPress

At some point, you might encounter issues when you create a child theme and manage them. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common problems. 

Error #1: The child theme fails to override the parent theme

When the child theme fails to override the parent theme’s styles or functionality, the root cause is often a misconfiguration in the functions.php or style.css file.  

This usually happens when the stylesheet of the child theme doesn’t load in the correct order or isn’t properly linked to the parent theme. 

Steps to troubleshoot: 

• Check the enqueuing process 

Open your child theme’s functions.php file, and ensure the parent theme’s stylesheet is properly enqueued. It should look like this: 

<?php 
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_parent_styles' ); 
function enqueue_parent_styles() { 
    wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css' ); 
} 
?>

First, make sure there are no typos in this code. If everything’s alright, go to the child theme’s stylesheet. Verify that the template line contains the name of your child’s parent theme. If it doesn’t, then your child won’t inherit the parent theme.

Verify that this code is free from typos and matches the naming conventions of your parent theme. 

• Verify the template line in style.css 

Next, open the style.css template file, in the child theme folder. Ensure that the template file line correctly refers to the parent theme’s directory name. If this template files line is incorrect, the child theme won’t inherit styles or functions from the parent theme: 

/* 
Theme Name: Your Child Theme Name 
Template: parent-theme-name 
*/ 

Make sure the parent-theme-name is exactly the same as the directory name of your parent theme in the WordPress themes folder. 

• Clear cache 

Sometimes, browsers cache old versions of a website. Clear the browser cache and, if you use a caching plugin, clear the website cache as well. This step ensures that the latest changes are reflected in the child theme wizard.

Error #2: The child theme fails to load the latest updates from the style.css

If the child theme successfully overrides the parent theme but isn’t reflecting the latest updates made to style.css, a common issue is caching or CSS specificity.

Steps to troubleshoot

• Clear browser and website cache 

If your latest changes aren’t visible, start by clearing your browser cache and your website’s cache (if you use a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache). This step forces your browser and site to reload the latest CSS file changes. 

• Check CSS Specificity and Add !important 

Sometimes, the parent theme’s styles override your child theme’s CSS because the parent theme uses more specific CSS selectors or declarations. To ensure that your child theme’s styles take precedence, add !important to the CSS rules that aren’t working. Here’s an example:

.custom-class { 
    color: #000 !important; 
} 

This tells the browser to apply your child theme’s styles over the parent theme’s, giving your custom rules higher priority.

• Check theme update compatibility 

If you have recently updated the parent theme and notice issues, check the parent theme’s changelog to see if structural changes were made to its style.css. If so, review the code of child theme to ensure there’s no conflict between the updates and your customizations. 

• Check enqueue function 

Make sure the enqueuing function correctly loads the child theme’s stylesheet after the parent theme’s stylesheet. The child theme’s functions.php file should contain this code:

add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_theme_enqueue_styles' ); 
function my_theme_enqueue_styles() { 
    wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css' ); 
    wp_enqueue_style( 'child-style', get_stylesheet_uri() ); 
}

This custom theme code ensures that both the parent and child stylesheets are loaded, with the child theme overriding the parent where necessary. 

Additional child theme troubleshooting tips: 

• Check for typos: Simple typos in the child theme’s name, directory names, or code can cause child themes to malfunction. 
• Deactivate plugins: Sometimes, plugins can conflict with the active theme. Temporarily deactivate plugins to see if they are causing the issue. 
• Switch to parent theme: Switch to the parent theme to verify if the issue is specific to the child theme or a broader problem with the installation of WordPress themes. 

By following these basic child theme troubleshooting steps, you can resolve many common issues with child themes and ensure your customizations load correctly.

WordPress child theme FAQs