Irreverent makers create fun builds, some rude language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
a little
Language like "ass," "sucks," "crap," "turd." Rude language like calling people "dumb" and saying "shut up" and "oh my God." Cursing-adjacent language like "frickin'," and some bleeped-out stronger language, plus phrases meant to suggest swearing ("holy ship," etc.).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Show teaches all about the building/making process: materials, tools, building process, mechanics, and engineering.
Positive Messages
some
Mixed -- very positive messages about being empowered to solve problems and figure out how to build whatever you want. Show's host sometimes has a grumpy attitude and insults kids (in a joking manner, but still).
Positive Role Models
some
Mixed -- the makers on the show are really talented and will inspire kids to make inventions of their own. However, the main host doesn't really model positive social-emotional skills, though his grumpy attitude is mostly tongue-in-cheek.
Diverse Representations
very little
Cast of five recurring characters are all White males who substantially follow stereotypes like teasing each other, expressing bravado about one's abilities, and really liking power tools. The kid guest stars on each episode are from diverse backgrounds but don't get much air time.
Parents need to know that Making Fun is a reality show in which YouTube maker star Jimmy DiResta and 4 friends help kids' outlandish invention requests come to life. The title has a double meaning- the hosts both make awesomely fun builds for kids and also make fun of the kids and each other. Host DiResta has a negative grumpy attitude and insults kids, calling them brats and their invention ideas "dumb" (in a joking manner, but still). The language is stronger than parents might expect for a show geared towards kids, with words like "ass," "sucks," and "crap." There's rude language like "shut up" and "oh my God," cursing-adjacent language like "frickin," and some bleeped out stronger language where it's pretty clear what they're saying. Potty humor abounds, with lots of mention of farts, poop, and toilets. Language and rudeness aside, the show is fairly educational, teaching kids about building materials and techniques, and some introductory engineering. If families can get past the hosts' language and attitude, there's actually a lot of delightful learning happening in Making Fun.
I’m really enjoying the humor of the men making the items. I do not enjoy the interaction with the children. Why are we choosing children who have zero manners or respect towards others. Also please stop referring to them as “brats” this comes across as a positive in this show.
Can the show go in a more positive direction of encouragement? Showing kids that it’s possible to create things??
I love the concept, I don't mind the potty humor (mom of 3 boys, potty humor is life, right?) I could even look past the mild adult language and innuendo. But we couldn't get past the second episode because of the horrible attitudes of the kids and the grumpy old man shtick tipping too far into bullying. I would never allow my children to be so disrespectful to anyone, let alone an adult who is making something awesome for them. And if an adult ever called my children brats, I would not let them speak to my children. There's enough negativity toward and from children in this world without glorifying it on a TV show that otherwise could have been an amazing way to show how creative and fun engineering and building can be.
What's the Story?
In Making Fun, YouTube-famous maker Jimmy DiResta (Making It) fields silly invention requests from kids, and chooses one per episode to build into reality. In DiResta's amazing backyard makerspace, DiResta and 4 friends fabricate kids' dreams into reality using a multitude of building techniques. As they create, they explain different aspects of design and engineering like materials, tools, and mechanical concepts. While DiResta claims that he doesn't like kids and calls them "brats" with "dumb" ideas, he quickly gets on board with their whimsical requests. The team builds silly inventions like a dino taco toilet, farting unicorn bicycles, and a guitar-shaped boat. At the end of each episode, the grown-ups present their creations to the kids via a video call, to the delight of their pint-sized invention inspiration.
This STEM show has faults, but if grown-ups are able to overlook them, the whole family can enjoy a wildly entertaining and inspiring series. The producers of Making Fun made an interesting choice in casting DiResta and his friends. They are incredibly talented at what they do, but their rude and surly behavior doesn't really scream "kids show." Most of DiResta's whole "I don't like kids" schtick is clearly tongue-in-cheek, but why even go there in a show aimed at kids? Why include curse words when this show has the potential to appeal to an even younger kid audience? And, why is the cast made up of 5 white males who substantially follow stereotypes?
Aside from these issues, Making Fun is likely to be a home run with kids. The hosts are very silly, and the show uses funny graphics and song montages to keep it lively. The actual builds they make on the show are pretty awesome, and encapsulate a lot of topics with high kid appeal (poop, pizza, pandas, etc.). There is a lot of educational content woven throughout each episode. If grown-ups can look past the iffy elements and embrace the irreverent silliness, Making Fun may quickly gain a prime spot in your family's viewing rotation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the projects built in Making Fun. Does anything surprise you about they way they build each project? What did you learn about building?
Host Jimmy talks about how he doesn't like kids and seems annoyed to be building things for kids. Do you think he's serious or joking? Do you think his insults are less bad if he is joking?
The hosts of this show are very talented builders but are all fairly similar in background. What do you think would be different about this show if there were any women, people of color, or coming from any other backgrounds or groups? Do you think it would change how you feel about the show?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
