Top Classic Cartoon Characters Every Kid Should Know

Kids universally love cartoon characters. This is evident from the wide variety of famous cartoon characters, each occupying a child’s memory and imagination in its own distinctive manner. Children tend to learn in a visual manner. Cartoons appeal to this aspect of their learning and how they like consuming information. The colorful designs and humor help children develop an emotional connection with the characters on-screen. Kids' cartoon characters are also useful as they impart moral lessons and help the child make sense of the real world. 


For children, cartoons are their gateway to fun storytelling, creative imagination and endless entertainment. 


Famous Cartoon Characters Of All Times

1.Garfield 

Created in 1978 by cartoonist Jim Davis, Garfield refers to the orange cat by the same name. The show originally started out as a comic strip. It chronicles the life of the cat, his owner Jon and his dog friend Odie. Each of these three characters has a different personality. When they meet, chaos ensues which makes the story quite funny.

 

2. Dora the Explorer

Dora the Explorer was created by Nickelodeon in 2000. It follows the adventures of a girl named Dora and her monkey friend, Boots. Dora goes on many quests, always asking the audience in an interactive manner about what she needs to complete her quest properly. As the viewer gets involved, this is the perfect show to keep kids occupied.

 

3. Doraemon

Based on a manga series created in 1969 in Japan, Doraemon is one of the most recognisable cartoon character names in India. The story centers on a naughty and academically suffering boy called Nobita, whose grandson sends him a robot from the future to aid him in becoming successful. That robot’s name is Doraemon. Episodes center on a gadget Doraemon gives Nobita to address a situation.

 

4. Mickey Mouse

The globally popular cartoon character Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney in 1928. The mouse, wearing white gloves, red shorts and large shoes, goes on adventures with his friends Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. As each character is an anthropomorphized animal, it is quite a fun cartoon for children to indulge in.

 

5. Chhota Bheem

This quintessentially Indian cartoon character was created in 2008 by Pogo TV. It is about the life of characters in a village called Dholakpur. There are many male cartoon characters in the show- the protagonist Chhota Bheem who becomes strong by eating Laddoos, the monkey Jaggu, and the enemies Kalia, Dholu and Bholu. Along with their friend Chutki, they face battles and adventures in the quaint village.

 

6. Paw Patrol

Paw Patrol, a Canadian cartoon show, was created in 2013 and aired on Nickelodeon. The plot focuses on a boy called Ryder who leads a crew of dogs that go on search & rescue missions. They call themselves Paw Patrol. Each dog has special skills that allow them to help in different ways. The blend of adventure, talking animals and spying makes it the perfect story for kids.

 

7. Sofia the First

Disney cartoon characters are some of the most creative cartoon series out there. Sofia the First, created in 2013, is no exception. It follows a young girl called Sofia, who was born a commoner and became a princess when her mother married the king. She communicates with animals and goes on adventures. As a kind girl, Sofia is a role model for young girls.

 

8. Peppa Pig

Made in 2004, this series focuses on an anthropomorphic pink pig named Peppa and her family. All her friends and peers are shown as various other animals. A typical episode focuses on everyday life that children can relate to such as attending school, playing sports, visiting relatives and having fun with friends. The show is a nice entertaining one for kids.

 

9. Spongebob Squarepants

This immediately recognisable character was created in 1999, airing on Nickelodeon. The show follows the titular protagonist and all his sea creature friends in the ocean town of Bikini Bottom. Spongebob is a sea sponge that lives in a pineapple. Other characters include Patrick the starfish, Squidward the octopus and Sandy the squirrel.

 

10. Ben 10

 Created by Cartoon Network in 2005, the story centers on a boy named Ben, who finds a watch called the Omnitrix. The watch contains the DNA of various aliens, which Ben10 gains the ability to transform into. With his newfound superpowers, Ben who is still a young boy learns how to navigate his new responsibility and be a hero.

 

11. Peanuts

This cartoon originated as a comic strip in 1950. In the show, adults exist but are hardly seen or heard. Instead, the young children are the focus. Charlie Brown, the main character, is awkward and shy. His friends include Snoopy the dog, girls called Lucy and Marcie and his sister Sally. Episodes chronicle their daily activities as kids.

 

12. Ninja Hattori

Based on a Japanese manga, Ninja Hattori was first created in 1964. It follows an eleven year old Mitsuba who is lazy and lacks academics. He befriends a ninja called Hattori who joins the family along with the dog Shishimaru and his brother Shinzo. The story then becomes about their everyday adventures and tiffs with the antagonist Kemumaki and the cat Kagechiyo.

 

 13.Motu Patlu


This popular kids’ show by Nickelodeon first aired in 2012. It focuses on two friends, Motu and Patlu, along with their daily misadventures. It is set in the peaceful small town of Furfuri Nagar, which is fictionally situated in India. The show features the town and its residents prominently, with the two protagonists as the helm.

 

14. Cars


The film franchise Cars was first created by Disney-Pixar in 2006. Set in a world where cars are the main occupants of the world, much like humans in ours, the films focus on one car racer called Lightning McQueen. Each film focuses on a different aspect of his racing career, from his rookie years to his becoming a mentor to newer cars.

 

15. My Little Pony

Amongst girl-aimed cartoon characters, My Little Pony stands out. Created in 1981, the series is set in the kingdom of Equestria, where three pony species- earth ponies, pegasus and unicorns, all live in peace. Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn, travels there to learn about friendship. Episodes focus on their daily adventures, centering on the theme of friendship bonds.

 

16. Tom and Jerry


Tom and Jerry, originally created in 1940, focuses on two main characters: the cat called Tom and the mouse called Jerry. They are rivals. Tom aims to capture Jerry, but fails in doing so, resulting in funny chaos which makes the episodes memorable. Sometimes, they set aside their rivalry and become friends. This is a heartwarming and nostalgic series

 

17. Noddy

Noddy was originally created by famous children’s author Enid Blyton in 1949. It was later adapted into a cartoon show. Noddy is a toy that was crafted by a woodcarver. He moves to Toyland, where he has adventures with various toys such as Big Ears the brownie, PC Plod the police officer, Tessie the bear and Bumpy the dog.

 

18. Shinchan

A Japanese manga series that was created in 1990 is now a popular kids’ show. Shinchan is about the titular protagonist who is naughty. His mother, Mitsi, is constantly getting angry at him. He has a dog- Shiro, a sister Himawari and a dad Harry. It follows his antics at home and at school. The show is quite fun and entertaining for children.



These cartoon characters, with their wide range of personalities and dynamic stories, are the perfect entertainment for children who are looking to spark their imagination and indulge in some leisure when bored. Cartoon characters are geared at kids and help them delve into storytelling curated for their taste. 


The clothes that children wear should reflect their interests in an effort to preserve their style. At Spunkies, our designs aim to capture children’s unique imagination and interests. Our cartoon character collections such as Garfield, Paw Patrol and Peanuts are perfect for kids for this reason. Moreover, each of our kid's clothes is made keeping comfort and style in mind, ensuring they are durable as well as fashionable. They are produced entirely in-house as well. 


If you want to build your child's wardrobe with clothes that they will love and cherish, explore our offerings at Spunkies and let their style shine!