The Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program is an award which honors performances in both television series and made-for-television/streaming films.

The category was established at the 1st Children's and Family Emmy Awards in 2022, and is open to performers of all genders.

The current holder of the award is Tony Hale, who won at the 2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards for his role as the titular Mr. Benedict in Disney+ series The Mysterious Benedict Society.

The organization cited an "explosive growth in the quantity and quality of children’s and family programming" as justification for a dedicated ceremony.

The original name for the category was Outstanding Lead Performance in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program, and the award received its current name as of the 3rd Children's and Family Emmy Awards.