I recently wrote an article questioning what children can learn from television. If you missed it you can read it here. It seems that even if it is for 20 minutes per day, the majority of parents allow their children to watch it.

In line with this, children develop a liking for specific characters in particular shows. Across the four children so far we have had preferences for the following at various stages:

• Iggle Piggle
• Peppa Pig
• Dora the Explorer
• Tree Fu Tom
• Blaze
• Thomas the Tank Engine
• Mr Tumble
• Barbie
• Batman
• The Turtles
• Scooby Doo

I’m sure I have missed some out and I am sure that there are many more to come.

At the moment our two youngest are into Blaze, Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig. The interest in Thomas the Tank Engine seems more about the fact it is a “choo choo” than the show itself, as Chugginton and Dinosaur Train have a similar effect.

This can be an advantage because when it comes to gift buying this opens up lots more options. Imagine my delight when I realised that there was a Peppa Pig Weebles Pull-Along Wobbily Train meaning we’ve combined the love of a good “choo choo” with the love of Peppa Pig! Now that does make things easier. This is also one of the fantastic Weebles toys which are really entertaining as they wobble but never fall down. Children find this really funny as they just pop back up.

What are your child’s favourite TV characters?

If you are looking for character toys we can fully recommend Character Online because they stock a massive range of all your child’s favourite character toys. I’ve actually just noticed they have Scooby Doo toys which I am doing a little dance about.