Feminist TV for girls

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My 3 year old watches TV in the evenings after nursery when she’s too tired to do anything else and I’m too busy making dinner to entertain her. However, all of the popular shows have male lead characters and few (sometimes no) female characters. Take Paw Patrol as an example. Seven main characters and only one is female. There is another less prominent female character but she is a ditsy, flapping older woman.

What can she watch that isn’t going to teach her that the world is occupied solely by males and that females fulfil a very narrow role (where they have to be dressed in pink)?

Believe it or not, the My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic series is fantastic.

To quote from the following website:
"The show offers a wide range of types of female characters–from the conscientious scholar Twilight Sparkle, the fashion-conscious Rarity, the farmhand Applejack, the brash Rainbow Dash, the softly-spoken animal-loving Fluttershy and the hyperactive, frequently nonsensical Pinkie Pie. Each has her own talents, desires, and personally quirks. They’re active, not passive. Even better, many episodes demonstrate a layered, even wise, approach to character; appearances are never quite what they seem to be"
globalcomment.com/welcome-to-the-herd-a-feminist-watches-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/

Ben and Holly has female leads. Nanny Plum is excellent. Although the predominately male elves seem to do all of the practical work in the kingdom while the predominately female fairies flap around doing occasionally useful magic

We like Princess Elena.
Also Katie Morag.
I'll come back if I think of anything else!
Zog is good and it's on TV now.

Is Katie Morag on tv? I loved those stories reading those stories to my DDs who loved those stories.

For the slightly older crowd (maybe 6 and up), Brainchild is a great show on Netflix about science and in particular neuroscience. The presenter is a girl, and the scientist who explains the reasons behind whatever they're discussing is a woman. It's an excellent show.

Bitz & Bob (female inventor) might be a bit old for a 3 year old
Masha and the Bear
Octonauts is not too bad (ratio 4 male to 2 female, I think) and they do have non stereotypical roles (engineer/inventor and computer whiz)
Bing (male slightly wet child and male caregiver)
Earth to Luna (female child finding out science stuff)
Trolls spin off TV show - female leader

NOT Peppa Pig - stereotypes all over the place

Thanks everyone. It’s not a great selection though is it?

The My Little Pony show sounds like it’s making a bit of an effort with the roles but just look at the names of the characters. It’s all twinkly, sparkly and pink. And one is described as being fashion conscious.

To the person who recommended Bing and Octonauts - those shows are really light on female characters. You say that 4 males to 2 females on octonauts isn’t too bad but it’s actually really crap. The screen is dominated by Male characters. Bing has two main characters and they’re both male.

And Princess Elena is yet another princess.

I despair.

Dino Dana.

Sorry posted too soon, that's literally the only modern one I know of, no princess and no sparkles, just a girl who loves dinosaurs, see them and educates people around her about them.

Sarah and duck? I really like that show and Sarah doesn't wear pink. I agree with you about Paw Patrol, it really is awful when it come to female representation. I find CBeebies programmes in general better for male female balance

For when she's older Odd Squad or The Worst Witch. Also Hetty Feather.
My little pony is gross. Sparkly nonsense and there is some horrible connection with paedophiles dressing as MLP. Bronies or something.

I only have boys, but we (I) like watching Maddie's Do you know? And Catie's Amazing Machines, which both have female presenters. Although I completely agree that the female representation on kids TV is absolute crap all round.

Catie's amazing machines 100%
Bitz and Bob
Dino Dana
Dragons race to the edge

Also when you watch, just refer to characters as she. I do that with my boy and girl especially when we watch motoX I say "look how high that girl jumped" (sneaky right)

Puffin Rock

Nella the Princess Knight. I was doubtful but actually she is awesome!

When she's older there's a lot more stuff.
The 'inbestigators' on netflix has 2 girls and 2 boys in the main cast, with one girl being the main detective.

All CBeebies:
Molly and Mack
Katie Morag
Maddie's Do You Know?
Catie's Amazing Machines

Also dd quite likes True on Netflix. Not seen enough to know it's full credentials but it's a lead girl who solves problems and helps others.

Dora the explorer.

Ebb and Flo

My twins only watch Cbeebies (we don't pay for any subscription services and we don't watch tv with adverts) so all the ones joggerbottom mentioned. Also Fern and Rory pet shows, Biggleton, Numberblocks, Alphablocks, Swashbuckle, terrible acting in Apple Tree House.

Nella the Princess knight
Catie's amazing machines
Do you know (female lead)

@TeaForDad yes, I also refer to people/things as she by default. All of her toys and teddies are she.

Abney and Teal (Bop is female, btw)
The Magic School Bus (old version)
Nina and the Neurons

To the person who recommended Bing and Octonauts - those shows are really light on female characters.

My point with Bing was not that it has female characters, but that it shows male characters in traditionally female roles. Which I think is just as important as showing strong female characters.

Octonauts could be better, yes. But it’s better than Paw Patrol!