What do you look for in kids TV? - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

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Parenting can often feel like a juggling act so it’s a relief to find a TV channel or show that will keep your children occupied and entertained while you get on with your to-do list, and a bonus when it’s educational and rewarding too. With this in mind, Sky Kids would like to know what it is you look for when it comes to the TV that your kids watch.

• Post your thoughts and stories on kids TV in the thread below to the entered into the prize draw
• One lucky winner will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here’s what Sky Director of Kids Content Lucy Murphy has to say:

‘We’re so excited to announce the launch of our brand-new linear channel. Millions of our customers already love watching our huge range of Original shows on-demand but families with younger kids have told us that watching on linear channels is an important part of their day; so, we’ve listened and expanded our Sky Kids offering at no extra cost.’

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw.

MNHQ
Insight T&Cs apply

DC are primary school aged and watch TV in the early evening on weekdays - more on weekends.

They watch a lot of what we watch - SpringWatch/AutumnWatch, Gardener's World, SCD, ComeDancing, Inside the Factory, Inside the Zoo, Masked Singer, David Attenborough programmes, The Wheel, Sort Your Life Out, Interior Design Masters, Junior Bake Off etc When they were littler they enjoyed, and I could tolerate on repeat, Dinosaur Train, Creative Galaxy, Operation Ouch, Pets Factor, OneZooThree. They watch NewsRound at school.

Maddie's Do You Know and Katy's Amazing Machines were good - especially being fronted by women.

Kids just need programs without bad language and sexualised content. Educational as well as entertaining is important.
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There are too many crap cartoons on kid's TV. The exception is Bluey. There is always room for Bluey!

I think teaching the right values is really important - my two are 15 and 9 now and I think there are too many things aimed at the pre-teen/teenage market that are focused on fame/money/looks etc. The actors are almost always model material too - it would be really great to see some more 'real' shows with a diverse casting approach so that we're not setting our kids up to think you have to look a particular way or have a particular lifestyle to be worthy and successful :)

Something the parents won’t mind watching themselves! Educational but without being too stuffy.

British
Educational
Informative
Interactive

Eg- Boey Bear/Numbers zoo

But I still haven't found a British version of Ms Rachel yet

For younger kids I want:

• something with an adult layer that means I enjoy it too (Hey Duggee)
• good balance of male/female characters
• no sexist stereotypes
• incorporating diversity naturally, not as a major theme
• educational
• not irritating for adults
• lots of episodes so I don't have to watch the same handful on repeat

For older kids I want:

• good balance of male/female characters
• no sexist stereotypes
• incorporating diversity, naturally not as a major theme. Especially neurodiversity, which is often handled badly.
• no political agendas or ideologies
• good storylines

Anything with a moral or educational theme. I avoid incorrect baby language (aka Bing!) or anything politically-motivated!

Can do without CGI programmes. I don't like the look of them. Good songs, theme songs that kids can sing along to are great.

Educational and entertaining with some humour and without advertisements

I don't really mind what they watch as long as it's age appropriate. I really love Clarence I would love another series like that. I like things that are relatable to kids and there's usually some sort of moral to the story. I also like Craig of the Creek. They enjoy more fantasy type shows as well like Hilda and adventure time.

I look for a variety of both entertainment and educational. I like my daughter to watch stuff that provides educational content but I want her to also be creative and fun so I love silly shows that are pure entertainment too.

Accents. This bothers me a lot when my kids watch a lot of American cartoons and then start copying words like trash, elevator etc. Use British accents, or at least a mixture of the many regional accents we have across the country.

The kids also tend to watch more of the shows that me and their dad enjoy too, so Duggee, Bluey etc, because they're really relatable and funny for adults too!

Inclusivity. So Mr. Tumble is amazing and my son who is disabled loves that show because he gets to see a representation of himself on tv. But it doesn't have to be a whole show about being disabled. Just include a disabled character, you don't need to explain that this person is disabled, this is just who they are.

Using British English. There's enough content in American English already.
Interesting and informative programmes like Octonauts.
A slower pace, longer shots, many kids' shows seem to be at a frenetic pace although the storyline doesn't require it.

Good programmes are things like Bluey, Hey Duggee. Octonauts is sort of OK. Not things like Paw Patrol.
For older ones, Lagging is good - about a mixed group of young gamers. Not a typical filmed group drama out adventuring.

Good balance of male and female characters. It's such a disappointment that so many programs are still made with mostly boys and a token girl

my ds2 has special needs he loves watching the chase and tipping point etc he's not one for cbeebies.

Fun, comedy and coverage of important issues. Not violent and misogynistic.

Something educational, not overly hyper, with good morals, a considered story, ideally British accents, definitely not using stereotypes, representative of diversity, and ideally for a young age range max 15 minute programmes.

Anything that keeps him entertained for 5 minutes 😬

I think something that offers something other than just "mindless" entertainment. For example, it teaches them new skills or facts. Children really absorb so much and it really does them good to learn, even when they aren't necessarily aware that they are learning. And I do love a show that the adults can enjoy too, so it's an added bonus if I'm learning something too!

My kids never showed much interest in TV shows, once they grew out of peppa pig. What I would like to see is something that grabs their attention the way youtube videos do, but with reliable quality control. E.g.

• tutorials for craft projects, which relate to things they are really interested in
• documentaries about astronomy, science and history, targeted at primary school age
• a magic show
• "how things work" type show

I usually like the programmes that are gentle and sweet. I prefer the shows with animal characters over humans. They can be very annoying.

I would like to see more child friendly documentaries, like attenborough but holding childrens attention. Maybe a short series on different topics

We try and find something that is not just loud noises and bright colours.
We also try and find a channel that does not have too many adverts.
As when the kids see something new being sold, then they will start pestering us for it.

No adverts. It must be educational, interactive and of course with and interesting story.

I really enjoy when a show has some diverse characters because I want my children to know that the whole world doesn't just look like them. Of course having something educational is good but to be honest I would rather they watch something that engages their imagination and allows them to dream of adventures.