peppa pig

Peppa, the pink pig with the red dress and the loud oink that everyone loves, has been on our TV screens for a staggering 10 years this year – it doesn’t even seem possible! First aired on Channel 5 and Nick Jr, Peppa has been loved by children the world over since the very first episode, and continues to be their favourite.

Peppa Pig, the one with the loud oink and the red dress

Peppa’s house on a hill

So what is it that makes Peppa and her fellow animated characters so appealing? Watching Peppa and her friends and family go about their everyday lives helps to bring the series home to the watching audience, with activities including going swimming, to playgroup and visiting grandparents being commonplace in most episodes. Their human-like mannerisms include wearing clothes, driving cars and living in houses that look like ours, which all help to make the cartoon relatable. Creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker have tried to draw everything from a child’s point of view – have you noticed how Peppa’s house is on top of a hill on its own, similar to how a child will often draw their own house.

Going back to that very first episode that started the Peppa Pig phenomenon, simply titled, “Muddy Puddles”, it was obvious Peppa Pig would be a hit with children. Peppa and George, her brother, get to go out and splash in muddy puddles with Mummy and Daddy pig after a rainstorm. Show us a child that doesn’t love splashing in muddy puddles and we’ll give you a pound (not really, we’re sure they exist) and this includes your other half! Followed by episodes including finding lost dinosaurs and playing hide and seek, Peppa Pig’s winning formula means the programme has remained much-loved over the years.

Lasting 5 minutes each, 210 episodes of Peppa Pig have now been broadcast and released on DVD around the world, and countless repeats still show on different channels including Milkshake! and Nick Jr. Peppa Pig merchandise is also an all too familiar sight in shops, including cuddly toys, plastic figurine sets and playhouses, aimed at different age ranges from 0-24 months right up to 12-14 year olds. Perhaps this is why the character has been so successful – she is enjoyed by babies, all the way to tweenagers, remaining relevant to each age group.

P.S. from Jules
Peppa Pig is Sacha’s absolute favourite and if I’ve got work to do, she goes straight on. I know I can get a few minutes peace & quiet. He’s even started watching the programme in French (a great idea if you want to encourage languages early on in life) and asks for “Peppa Cochon”!

Personally, I get a bit freaked out by the houses on the hill. There’s just no context! Where are the other houses?! Weird…

What are your thoughts on Peppa Pig? Is she a firm favourite in your house? Let us know in the comments!