We’ve all seen the lazy version. A female character who is "strong" simply because she can punch people or because she’s "not like other girls." In the industry, this is often a "Trinity Syndrome" situation—where a woman is incredibly over-qualified and badass just to serve the plot of a less-interesting male lead.

When we talk about building strong female characters in kids' media, we’re looking for agency. Does she make choices that affect the outcome? Does she have a personality that exists outside of her relationship to a boy? Does she have flaws that she actually has to work on?

Real resilience isn't about being perfect or invincible; it’s about the ability to fail, feel the weight of that failure, and decide what to do next. That’s the stuff we want our kids—of all genders—to see modeled on screen.

Media is the "social curriculum" our kids study every day. If the only girls they see are either waiting to be rescued or are "perfect" icons who never break a sweat, they’re getting a distorted view of what leadership looks like.

According to community data, about 64% of parents feel that mainstream media still relies too heavily on "aesthetic-first" female characters (characters whose primary trait is being pretty). By intentionally picking media that highlights intellectual curiosity, grit, and emotional intelligence, we’re helping our kids build a more robust internal toolkit.

Ask our chatbot for a list of shows that pass the Bechdel Test

If you haven't watched Hilda yet, stop what you’re doing. Hilda is a blue-haired explorer who lives in a world of trolls and giants. What makes her "strong" isn't a superpower; it's her relentless empathy and her refusal to accept "that's just how it is." She makes massive mistakes, she’s occasionally stubborn to a fault, and she has to navigate a complicated relationship with her mom. It is peak resilience training for kids ages 6-11.

Roz is a robot, but she is coded female, and her journey is one of the most profound explorations of motherhood and survival in modern kid-lit. She has to adapt to a harsh wilderness, learn "animal" languages, and protect a gosling. It’s a masterclass in adaptive resilience.

Forget the 80s version. This reboot is all about the burden of leadership and the complexity of female friendships (and rivalries). Adora isn't just strong because she has a magic sword; she’s strong because she chooses to leave everything she knows to do the right thing, even when it’s painful. It handles trauma and recovery in a way that is surprisingly sophisticated for a "kids' show."

Wait, a board game? Yes. Wingspan was designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, and it’s a brilliant example of a woman dominating a traditionally male-heavy industry (board game design) with a theme that isn't "war" or "trading in the Mediterranean." It shows kids that "strength" can be found in scientific observation and ecosystem management.

For the older kids (13+), Aloy is one of the best-written characters in gaming history. She starts as an outcast and has to use her wits, her tech-savviness, and her physical skills to uncover the mystery of why the world ended. There is zero "damsel" here. She is the one doing the rescuing.

At this age, look for characters who solve their own problems.

This is when kids start noticing social hierarchies. They need characters who deal with friendship "drama" without being "mean girls."

Teens are ready to talk about why the world is set up the way it is.

Be careful of the "Mary Sue" trap—characters who are magically good at everything without trying. While it might seem "empowering," it actually sets an impossible standard for kids. If a character never fails, your kid can’t learn how to get back up from them.

Also, let's talk about the "Girl Boss" aesthetic. If a character’s "strength" is mostly tied to her being rich, wearing power suits, or "slaying," it’s often just consumerism dressed up as feminism. Real resilience is usually quieter, grittier, and involves a lot more teamwork.

Check out our guide on media literacy for kids

You don't need to turn every movie night into a gender studies seminar. Just ask a few "No-BS" questions:

If you're watching Encanto, talk about Luisa. She’s physically the strongest, but her real "strength" is her vulnerability when she admits she’s carrying too much. That’s a conversation about emotional resilience that sticks.

Finding real-world resilience in media means looking past the tiara (and sometimes past the sword) to find the human underneath. We want characters who are allowed to be angry, scared, and wrong—because those are the characters who actually teach our kids how to be brave.

Next Steps:

Learn more about empowering media for girls Ask our chatbot for book recommendations with brave female protagonists