National Animal Cracker Day 2024 (U.S.): Activities and Interesting Facts

National Animal Cracker Day 2024: On April 18th, as we observe National Animal Cracker Day, who among us might be able to resist the urge to indulge in a fistful of these nostalgic indulgences? Animal crackers are, without a doubt, among the most widely recognized food products in the world at present.

Unbeknownst to us at the time, the assortment of animals from the zoo and circus that brought us joy as youngsters would grow into one of our most cherished recollections of our youth and a simple guilty enjoyment in our adulthood.

National Animal Cracker Day: History

Animal crackers, originating in England in the late 1800s, have been a popular childhood treat since their importation. Stauffer’s Biscuit Company introduced their unique circus cracker recipe in 1871, leading to the widespread availability of these treats in American markets. However, in 1902, Nabisco, a competitor, introduced their product in compact boxes resembling P.T. Barnum circus train cars. Children were immediately drawn to the colorful boxes, which were filled with mementos from their childhoods.

Despite the success of Barnum’s Animals, Stauffer’s Biscuit Company continues to use the original 1871 formulation, producing a crisp, traditional English biscuit-like cracker. Nabisco’s small carton packaging with a vibrant animal motif remains appealing to young children, offering a slightly richer flavor and softer consistency than plain crackers or biscuits. Some argue that Nabisco’s Animal Crackers are animal biscuits, but the decision to rebrand in 1948 may not have been essential for maintaining category leadership.

National Animal Crackers Day is celebrated with a parade of animal crackers, attracting children to enjoy the sweeter, gentler cookie variety or the crisper biscuit-like variety. The exact date of the first special day for animal crackers is unknown, but the celebration continues to captivate children.

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National Animal Cracker Day 2024: FAQs

Which animals are featured in Barnum’s Animals by Nabisco?

Since their inception in 1902, the renowned Barnum’s Animal Cracker cases have showcased an extensive assortment of 53 distinct animal forms, in addition to exclusive limited editions. Presently, Barnum’s Animal Cracker crates contain the following 19 animal shapes: two bears, a zebra, two bison, a camel, a cougar, an elephant, a giraffe, a gorilla, a hippopotamus, a hyena, a kangaroo, a koala, a lion, a monkey, a rhinoceros, a seal, a sheep, and a tiger.

Do animal crackers promote good health?

Let us be forthright. A recipe consisting primarily of refined flour, sugar, butter, or shortening is unlikely to meet the criteria for a healthful snack on any given diet. Animal crackers are most likely classified as a delicacy.

What distinguishes one cracker from another cookie?

As a result of containing more flour and less sugar and shortening than cookies, crackers are less sugary and crispier. As stated by Stauffer’s Biscuits, their animal crackers possess a unique crunch and delicate texture due to the stratified dough used in their production. The layers of an animal cracker become apparent when it is halved. Barnum’s Animal Crackers by Nabisco resemble cookies more than they do crackers.

National Animal Cracker Day 2024: Activities

Animal Cracker Poker, a game

Why not increase the stakes in the current game from penny-ante poker to animal crackers?

An unexpected gift for all is a carton of animal crackers.

Be amused and spread some joy on National Animal Crackers Day by presenting a small carton of animal crackers to each individual you encounter. Remember to indulge yourself.

Engage in the daily dunk challenge.

Have you ever pondered which beverages complement animal crackers the most effectively? National Animal Crackers Day is an ideal occasion to conduct some traditional, non-scientific investigation. Incorporate a few lions, tigers, and bears into your morning coffee to begin the day. Then, drink copiously of cold brew, water, tea, milk, lemonade, and milk throughout the day. Conclude a day filled with delectable dunking experiences by dousing the final of your animal companions in your preferred alcoholic beverage. We believe that red wine complements the original biscuit-style crackers exceptionally well. Distribute your findings via social media.

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Five Interesting Facts About Animal Crackers:

Rabbits are absent from Curly Top’s broth.

Shirley Temple, a round-faced child actor. In the 1935 film “Curly Top,” she performed a song titled “Monkeys and Rabbits, Loop the Loop” that referenced animal crackers in her soup. To the best of our knowledge, rabbits have never been depicted in animal crackers.

That is an enormous menagerie!

Throughout the years, Nabisco Barnum’s Animal Crackers boxes have showcased a total of 37 distinct animals. Presently, Nabisco’s assortment comprises 19 animals, with the most recent addition being the Koala.

The ‘Animal Identifier’ is present at Stauffer’s.

There is assistance for those of us who struggle to distinguish animals based solely on the shape of their crackers: Stauffer’s Biscuit Company has a “Biscuit Animal Identifier” page on their website that features images of the various animals they presently manufacture.

These cracker holes do not constitute puncture incisions.

Dogkers, as stated by Stauffer’s Biscuit Company, are minuscule apertures in their Animal Crackers that facilitate the passage of air during the process of rising, thereby aiding in the preservation of the crackers’ animal form.

There will be no return of the circus to town.

In 2016, in response to pressure from the animal activist organization PETA, Nabisco discontinued its nostalgic packaging with a train theme and introduced a new one in 2018.