National Mr. Potato Head Day

National Mr. Potato Head Day is a delightful celebration dedicated to the iconic toy that has captured the imaginations of children and adults alike for over seven decades. This day honors the innovative spirit behind Mr. Potato Head and its significant impact on both playtime and advertising.

Quick Facts

When is it?: April 30th
Tagged as: Fun & Games, History & Culture, Items & Things
What’s the hashtag?: #MrPotatoHeadDay
When was it founded?: 1952
Who founded it?: Hasbro, inspired by George Lerner’s invention

History of National Mr. Potato Head Day

The origins of Mr. Potato Head trace back to 1949 when George Lerner conceived the idea of using vegetables to create funny faces with attachable body parts. Initially met with skepticism due to post-war food shortages, the concept eventually found a home with Hasbro in 1952. On April 30th of that year, Mr. Potato Head became the first toy to be advertised on television, marking a revolutionary shift in marketing strategies by targeting children directly. This date has since been celebrated as National Mr. Potato Head Day.

Timeline

1949: George Lerner invents Mr. Potato Head.
1952: First television advertisement for Mr. Potato Head airs on April 30th.
1964: Introduction of a plastic potato body due to safety regulations.
1975: The toy’s size is doubled for safety reasons.
1995: Mr. Potato Head appears in Toy Story.
2000: Inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month	Date	Day
2025	April	30	Wednesday
2026	April	30	Thursday
2027	April	30	Friday
2028	April	30	Sunday
2029	April	30	Monday

Observed

National Mr. Potato Head Day is observed annually on April 30th, celebrating the toy’s legacy and its role in transforming advertising and play.

Fun Facts About National Mr. Potato Head Day

The original Mr. Potato Head kit did not include a plastic potato; users had to supply their own vegetable.
It was the first toy advertised directly to children on television.
In the Toy Story films, Mr. Potato Head is voiced by Don Rickles.
A six-foot-tall version of Mr. Potato Head exists as a Guinness World Record.

Quiz

What year was Mr. Potato Head first advertised on TV?
Who invented Mr. Potato Head?
What movie franchise features Mr. Potato Head?

(Answers: 1) 1952, 2) George Lerner, 3) Toy Story)

FAQs

Why is National Mr. Potato Head Day celebrated on April 30th?
- This date marks the first-ever television advertisement for a toy.
What changes were made to the toy in response to safety concerns?
- A plastic potato body was introduced in 1964, and the size of parts was increased in the 1970s.