What animal crackers taught us about joy (and why they still totally bring the magic)

Before there was oat milk and adaptogenic mushroom cookies (yes, that’s a thing), there was something truly magical in that red box with the little string handle: Animal Crackers.

Crunchy. Slightly sweet. And if you were feeling extra rebellious? You bit the head off first. 😈

Today, April 18, is National Animal Crackers Day—and if that doesn’t spark a little childhood joy, we need to talk.

A Bite-Sized History

Animal Crackers have been around since the late 1800s, originally imported from England as "animal biscuits." (Fancy, right?) By 1902, Nabisco released the iconic Barnum’s Animals box with circus-style branding—and the rest is snack-time history.

Over 40 different animals have made it into the lineup over the years, including lions, tigers, bears (oh my!) and even camels. The monkey is a fan fave. Obviously.

And while they're called crackers, they’re technically cookies—made with sweet, layered dough and baked into golden perfection. That buttery vanilla aroma? Iconic.

Why We’re Obsessed: Nostalgia You Can Smell

At Wicked Good, we love tapping into scent memories—and animal crackers are a whole vibe. There’s something so comforting about that light, sweet vanilla-cookie smell. It takes you right back to:

• Brown paper lunch bags

• After-school snacks

• Trading animal shapes with your besties (elephants were elite)

• That one time you tried to frost them with peanut butter and sprinkles because
  you're a bit ✨ extra ✨

Smells Like Sweet Snacks & Childhood Joy

Want to relive that sweet moment without the crumbs? Here are a few Wicked Good fragrances that channel the cookie-core energy of Animal Cracker Day:

Animal Crackers

Whimsical. Sweet. Nostalgically Delightful.

Pink Frosted Animal Crackers is a delightful journey back to childhood, capturing the essence of those beloved pink frosted animal crackers. It opens with the comforting aroma of butter cookie, leading into a heart of pink frosting, and finishes with a playful touch of rainbow nonpareils 

Oatmeal Milk + Honey

Cozy. Comforting. Sweetly Nostalgic.

Oatmeal Milk + Honey is a warm, inviting fragrance that captures the essence of home and comfort. This scent opens with the rich sweetness of honey nectar, leading into a heart of French vanilla and creamy milk, and settles into a soothing base of oats. It's like a gentle hug in a bottle, evoking memories of cozy mornings and cherished moments.

Funfair Evening

Playful. Sweet. Whimsically Nostalgic.

Funfair is a delightful fragrance that captures the enchanting atmosphere of a festive fairground circus. This scent opens with the comforting aroma of caramel apple, leading into a heart of toffee apple and cotton candy, and finishes with a warm base of amber and musk. It's a whimsical blend that evokes memories of laughter, twinkling lights, and the sweet treats of a funfair evening.

Pink Sugar

Playful. Sweet. Irresistibly Nostalgic.

Pink Sugar is a delightful fragrance that captures the essence of youthful joy and sweet indulgence. It opens with the vibrant notes of bergamot, Italian lemon, and raspberry, leading into a heart of strawberry, red fruit, and cotton candy. The scent settles into a warm base of vanilla, musk, wood, and powder, creating a harmonious blend that's both playful and comforting.

Funnel Cake

Sweet. Nostalgic. Carnival-Inspired Delight.

Funnel Cake is a delightful fragrance that captures the essence of a fun-filled carnival. This scent opens with the comforting aroma of vanilla, leading into a heart of cinnamon sugar, and finishes with a warm base of powdered sugar and fried dough. It's a whimsical blend that evokes memories of laughter, twinkling lights, and the sweet treats of a carnival evening.

Tiny Cookies, Big Memories—Now in Perfume Form

Whether you're a head-biter, a legs-first strategist, or a whole-cookie-in-one-bite kind of person, today is your permission slip to embrace the sweet stuff. Childhood joy? Still relevant. Animal crackers? Still iconic.

So grab a box. Spritz something sweet. And celebrate the little things—because honestly, they’re not so little.