16 DIY and Craft TV Shows for Kids That Inspire Hands-On Fun

If your kids love getting creative with glue, paint, cardboard, or even baking ingredients, there are some brilliant TV shows out there that turn crafting into something exciting and inspiring. Whether you want something calm and educational or a high-energy competition to spark ideas, these shows can get kids thinking, making, and trying things themselves at home.

There’s a lot of conversation around screen time for kids, and while it’s an important topic, not all screen time is created equal. Passive scrolling or fast-paced cartoons are very different from shows that actively inspire creativity and hands-on making. Craft-based shows, in particular, can be surprisingly beneficial because they encourage kids to think, design, and try things for themselves. Instead of just watching, children often come away with ideas they want to recreate, turning screen time into a starting point for real-world play, learning, and creativity.

Here are some of the best kids’ TV shows with a crafting twist, plus where you can stream them right now.

Piñata Masters (Netflix)

This one is such a fun watch if your kids love bold colors and hands-on creativity. My daughter and I are watching this show right now. Teams compete to design and build incredible piñatas in all shapes and sizes, from animals to wild fantasy creations. It’s fast-paced and visually exciting, but also really inspiring because kids can see how simple materials turn into something amazing.

It’s a great one to watch before a birthday or party too, since it often sparks ideas for DIY decorations at home.

Note – the show is originally in Spanish as it’s filmed in Mexico, so it’s dubbed.

Making Fun (Netflix)

This one is such a fun twist on craft shows, especially for kids with big imaginations. It also has humor and some great personalities with the making team. In Making Fun, expert maker Jimmy DiResta and his team take real requests from kids and turn them into incredible, larger-than-life creations. We’re talking about things like custom toys, wild inventions, and completely over-the-top builds that feel straight out of a kid’s imagination.

It’s not just entertaining, it’s inspiring for kids get to see how ideas go from a simple drawing to a fully built object using real tools and materials. It’s perfect for encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and that “what if we could make this?” kind of thinking that leads to great crafting at home.

Baking Impossible (Netflix)

While it’s technically a baking show, there’s a huge craft and engineering element here, or as they call it in the show Bakineering. Contestants combine baking with building, creating edible structures that have to actually work, like bridges or machines.

It’s perfect for kids who enjoy STEM-style creativity, mixing food, design, and problem-solving. You’ll probably find them wanting to experiment in the kitchen afterward.

Mark Rober CrunchLabs (Netflix)

If your kids enjoy making things but are ready for something a bit more advanced, this is a fantastic addition. In Mark Rober, Mark brings his signature mix of engineering, science, and creativity to the screen, building all kinds of clever and often over-the-top projects. It leans more toward engineering than traditional crafts, but it still fits perfectly because it’s all about designing, testing, and bringing ideas to life. The energy is fun, fast-paced, and really engaging, making it a great option for kids who love figuring out how things work while being inspired to try their own creations.

Art Ninja (BBC iPlayer)

A classic for UK families and one of the best for pure crafting inspiration. Hosted by Ricky Martin (not that one), this show is all about quick, fun, slightly messy art projects using everyday materials.

It’s very easy for kids to follow along and recreate the ideas at home, which makes it especially useful if you’re looking for something practical, not just entertaining. We really like this one for day to day inspiration that kids can make or draw independently without a lot of planning or special materials.

Makeaway Takeaway (BBC iPlayer)

This show takes a brilliant approach by turning everyday “junk” into something creative and useful. It’s all about recycling and reimagining materials, which makes it perfect if you like low-cost, eco-friendly crafts.

Kids come away with the mindset that they don’t need fancy supplies to make something fun.

The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC iPlayer)

Better suited for slightly older kids, this show is a lovely introduction to sewing and textile crafts. It’s calm, creative, and really inspiring for children who enjoy working with fabric or want to learn a new skill.

It also shows the full process from idea to finished piece, which is great for building patience and confidence.

If your kids are interested in sewing, stitching, or fashion design, this is one of the best British craft TV shows to watch together. The challenges show real techniques like pattern cutting, hand sewing, and garment construction in a way that’s easy to follow and surprisingly relaxing. It’s especially good for older kids who want to try something more advanced than paper crafts and are ready to explore textiles and design.

Is It Cake? (Netflix)

This show takes creativity in a completely different direction by turning baking into a form of craft. In Is It Cake?, contestants create incredibly realistic cakes that look like everyday objects, from shoes to handbags to fast food. It’s fascinating for kids because it blurs the line between art and food, showing how sculpting, painting, and design skills can be used in unexpected ways. It’s a great reminder that crafting isn’t just paper and glue, it can be anything where imagination and making come together.

My daughter and I loved this show and have watched all the seasons and all the specials. It’s so popular, and for good reason.

Nailed It! (Netflix)

This one is less about perfection and more about having fun with creative attempts. Contestants try to recreate elaborate cakes and decorations, often with hilarious results.

It’s great for kids who might feel intimidated by crafting or baking, because it shows that things don’t have to turn out perfectly to be enjoyable.

There are a few holiday specials for this show too so you’ll have plenty to watch.

Disney Family Sundays (Disney+)

If you’re looking for a true craft-focused show on Disney+, this is the one to add. Disney Family Sundays follows families as they create fun, hands-on projects inspired by classic Disney movies, with clear steps you can easily follow along at home. It’s perfect for turning screen time into an actual activity, since kids can pause, gather their materials, and make the same crafts themselves. The projects are colorful, themed, and really engaging, especially for younger kids who already love Disney characters.

Sketchbook (Disney+)

Sketchbook is a great pick for kids who enjoy drawing and want something that feels a little more grown-up. Each episode features a Disney animator teaching how to sketch a well-known character step by step, while also sharing a bit of their own creative journey. It leans more toward art than traditional crafting, but it still fits perfectly for creative kids, helping them build real skills and confidence while learning from professionals.

The Great Pottery Throw Down (Channel 4 / Streaming platforms)

This series is perfect if you want to introduce kids to pottery and working with clay. Watching the process of throwing pots, sculpting, and glazing gives a real appreciation for handmade crafts. Even if you don’t have a pottery wheel at home, it often inspires simple clay or air-dry projects that kids can try themselves.

Mister Maker (BBC iPlayer)

A staple for younger kids, this show focuses on simple, accessible crafts using basic materials like paper, glue, and recycled items.

It’s ideal for preschoolers and early years children, with clear steps and lots of repetition that makes it easy to follow along. This one is from CBeebies so definitely is aimed at a younger audience, but for those who enjoy crafts it’s still worth exploring for inspiration and ideas.

The Repair Shop (BBC iPlayer)

This one isn’t a kids’ show as such, but it’s surprisingly engaging for older children. It focuses on restoring old and broken items, from toys to furniture.

It’s a lovely way to introduce the idea of craftsmanship, patience, and valuing handmade items, especially for kids who enjoy building or fixing things.

Curious Crafting (Apple TV+)

Curious Crafting is a lovely, easygoing series that focuses on making crafts using everyday household items. The show features kids creating simple projects step by step, which makes it feel really accessible and achievable. It’s perfect if you want something that doesn’t require lots of supplies but still encourages creativity and hands-on making, especially for younger kids.

Hobbycraft TV (Online / Hobbycraft Channel)

A slightly different option, Hobbycraft runs its own craft-focused content through Hobbycraft TV. It’s not a traditional TV series, but it’s packed with hands-on tutorials, seasonal craft ideas, and easy projects you can try straight away. It’s especially useful if you want something practical rather than just inspirational, and are looking to see things in action before buying. It’s always nice to see familiar faces too, my friend Lavania is one of the presenters when it comes to the Cricut products!

Classic and Older Craft TV Shows to Revisit

If you’re searching for old craft TV shows or classic creative series from the 2000s, there’s a lot of nostalgic inspiration out there. Shows like Art Attack helped a whole generation fall in love with crafting. These types of series focus on simple, DIY craft ideas using everyday materials, making them just as useful now as they were back then.

DIY Craft Shows and Creative Competition Series

There are also plenty more craft competition shows that focus on design, making, and creativity across different materials. These kinds of series are great for showing kids how ideas develop from concept to finished project. They often mix crafting with storytelling, engineering, or art, which makes them especially engaging for kids who enjoy building and designing as much as decorating.

The Benefits of Watching Craft Shows with Kids

Craft-based shows do more than just entertain. They give kids ideas, build confidence to try new things, and show that creativity comes in many forms, from painting and glueing to baking and building. Watching together can also turn into a natural jumping-off point for your own craft sessions at home.

If you’re looking for something a little more grown-up for kids around 8+, but want to avoid all the typical themes of dating, drama, or mean-girl storylines, these kinds of reality-style baking and craft shows are such a smart option. They feel more mature and engaging without introducing content that doesn’t sit right yet. Instead of social drama, the focus is on creativity, problem-solving, and making something from scratch, which keeps kids interested in a really positive way. It’s something we’ve really leaned into in our house, because it bridges that gap perfectly between “too babyish” and “too grown-up,” while still being fun, inspiring, and easy to watch together.

If you’re looking for an easy way to relax and entertain, and to spark creativity without planning a full activity, putting on one of these art and craft tv shows for kids can be the perfect starting point.

More TV and Movie Inspiration for Kids

If your kids love getting ideas from what they watch, there’s so much more out there beyond this list. From creative TV shows to imaginative movies that spark storytelling, building, and making, screen time can be a great starting point for hands-on fun. Try mixing in a few of these with your usual picks and see what inspires your kids to create next.

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If you found this list helpful, don’t forget to share the post with other parents who are looking for more creative, feel-good options too.