The Best Shows to Watch With Kids to Boost Their Creativity
The good news is that new episodes of the highly creative Australian animated series Bluey will start streaming on Disney+ this week. The bad news: there are only 10 of them; with a seven-minute episode, the season will end in just over an hour.
What will your family watch after learning about the ongoing adventures of the Heeler family? We’ve got a few suggestions, from a show about flower power to a vegetarian chef who lives in a tree stump.
Lego Masters
If you’re watching this reality show, get ready to open your wallet after the credits roll because your kids are going to need a lot of Lego bricks (I speak from experience). Hosted by Lego Batman himself, Will Arnett, the show sees teams of two create a creation based on the week’s theme and then judged by Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard, two Lego managers. While reality TV always has dramatic and unusual contestants, the appeal of this show is that it focuses on telling stories in every build and finding quick and creative solutions to win.
Where to watch: Hulu
Tiny Chef Show
This stop-motion Nick Jr. show recently entered its second season, and it’s easy to see why it’s become such a hit. A furry green tree stump herbivore inspires kids to cook their own food in the kitchen, while his celebrity friends (Kristen Bell and RuPaul say hi) help him find ways to express his creativity. The main character’s unbridled joy in everything is contagious.
Where to watch: Paramount+ with Showtime.
Ask the storybots
There are many programs that teach young people about the inner workings of the world, but only a few of them involve real children. In the series “Ask the Robot Historians,” the main characters try to answer children’s questions, such as “Why is the sky blue?” and “Where do French fries come from?” They then put the answer into a catchy music video. (I found myself humming some of them from time to time.) I love how the show encourages kids to find answers to their questions rather than spoon-feeding them the solution.
Where to watch: Netflix
Big flower fight
The flower itself can be beautiful, but sculpting those colorful petals into something completely different is simply stunning. That’s the idea behind this reality competition, the Great British Botanical Decorating Competition , where coconut shells become moth legs and lilies become bodice, with contestants we actually want to spend time with. Since we’re constantly bombarded with news about the effects of global warming, it’s nice to watch a show that gives creative people a reason to plant something in the ground to stop it.
Where to watch: Netflix
Science Fair: The Series
“If anyone thinks school science fairs are only about volcanoes, they’ve never been to a science fair,” says one student featured in National Geographic’s new reality show about students from around the world competing in international science and science competitions. Engineering Fair (ISEF). High school students must collaborate, be passionate about the science they are teaching, and never give up, even if the engine they are building breaks down 13 times (which happens to one frustrated but determined scientist), making for fun and inspiring viewing.
Where to watch: Disney+.
Junior competition
I give shows like Waffles and Mochi a lot of credit: they know how to get kids interested in how food ends up on their plates. On the other hand, they rarely show them what can be done with all this knowledge. Junior Bake Off , a spin-off of The Great British Bake Off aimed at pre-teens, is actually inspiring my kids to get into the kitchen and create something. Of course, my wife and I usually have to finish what we start, but I still admire their initiative.
Where to watch: Netflix
Let’s have fun
Jimmy DiResta makes it clear within the first minute of his reality show that he hates children. However, the no-nonsense celebrity maker and former toy designer is more than happy to create mindless inventions for youngsters, from a dinosaur-themed taco toilet to a guitar boat. It’s fun to watch DiResta interact with his charges as they come up with the most absurd and creative ideas, although his rude behavior may upset parent viewers. Filmed during the pandemic, DiResta’s pint-sized customers only see their creations materialize on a video screen, which takes some of the fun out of the experience, but the show proves that you can build anything if you put your mind to it.
Where to watch: Netflix
Emily’s wonderful laboratory
Creativity and curiosity intersect in Emily’s Wonder Lab , a colorful show where kids create art through simple science. The best part is that watching the show doesn’t have to be a passive experience, as viewers are encouraged (with parental permission, of course) to create their own STEAM-based experiments.
Where to watch: Netflix
Local engineers by Mark Robert
Yes, someone gave YouTube’s favorite former NASA engineer his own show. He and his team of DIY creatives create traps to teach a lesson to those who annoy others, including that guy who never turns off his phone at the movie theater and those who drive and text. If you’ve ever seen Rober’s videos, you’ll see that he sets no limits on what his STEM and STEAM solutions can do, which is a great approach when doing anything creative.
Where to watch: Max, Discovery+
Play-Doh flattened
Three teams of adults and children must create something special for three thematic tasks. Hosted by Modern Family star Sarah Hyland, the show is more than just the dough that gives the show its name. Physical challenges will also remind parents of a certain age group from the game show Double Dare . The winner is determined by a jury of celebrity judges and, like Lego Masters , they look for creativity and storytelling.
Where to watch: Freevee