National Animal Crackers Day celebrates those beloved sweet, crunchy, animal-shaped treats that have delighted children and adults alike for generations. These small cookies, typically shaped like circus or zoo animals, have become a quintessential part of American snacking culture.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: April 18th annually
- Tagged as: Food & Drink, Snacks & Desserts
- What’s the hashtag?: #NationalAnimalCrackersDay
- When was it founded?: First celebrated in 2017
- Who founded it?: Creator unknown
History of Animal Crackers
Animal crackers originated in England before making their way to America in the late 1800s. Stauffer’s Biscuit Company began the first commercial production in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania. The iconic Barnum’s Animals brand, introduced by Nabisco in 1902, revolutionized the industry with its circus-themed packaging and distinctive string handle for hanging on Christmas trees.
Timeline
- 1800s: Animal crackers invented in the UK
- 1871: Stauffer’s Biscuit Company starts commercial production
- 1877: First printed recipe appears in “Secrets of the Bakers and Confectioners’ Trade”
- 1902: Nabisco introduces Barnum’s Animals
- 2018: Nabisco redesigns packaging to show animals roaming freely
Dates for 2025
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April | 18 | Friday |
| 2026 | April | 18 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April | 18 | Sunday |
| 2028 | April | 18 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | April | 18 | Wednesday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by enjoying animal crackers, creating desserts with them, sharing them with friends and family, and playing creative games like Animal Cracker Bingo.
Fun Facts About Animal Crackers
- There have been 37 different animal shapes in Barnum’s Animals crackers
- Over 40 million packages are sold worldwide annually
- The original boxes had strings to hang them as Christmas ornaments
- They’re not technically crackers, but sweet cookies
Quiz
- In which country were animal crackers invented?
- What company first commercially produced animal crackers in America?
- What year did Nabisco introduce Barnum’s Animals?
(Answers: 1. England, 2. Stauffer’s Biscuit Company, 3. 1902)
FAQs
Q: How many calories are in a serving?
A: Approximately 120 calories per one-ounce serving
Q: Why did the box design change in 2018?
A: To depict animals roaming freely instead of in circus cages
Related Celebrations
- Good Friday
- World Heritage Day
- National Velociraptor Awareness Day
- Sweet Tea Day
- Cheese Pizza Day
- Pina Colada Day