Mascot Facts for Kids

Wenlock and Mandeville, the mascots of the 2012 Olympic Games

A mascot is like a special symbol, often a person, animal, or even an object, that represents a group, team, or company. People often believe mascots bring good luck! They help make a group recognizable and fun. For example, the Sacramento Kings basketball team has a lion as their mascot, and the insurance company Geico uses a gecko. Mascots are used all over the world, from big sports events like the Olympics to popular cartoon characters.

What is a Mascot?
- Why Do Groups Use Mascots?
Types of Mascots
Famous Mascots Around the World
- Mascots in Entertainment
- Mascots in Sports
Images for kids
See also

What is a Mascot?

A mascot is more than just a picture; it's a character that helps people connect with a group. They are designed to be memorable and often have personalities that match the group they represent. Mascots can be real animals, imaginary creatures, or even human-like figures. Their main job is to create a strong identity and bring excitement.

Why Do Groups Use Mascots?

Groups use mascots for many reasons. One big reason is to create a strong identity. Think of a sports team: their mascot helps fans feel connected and proud. Mascots also help with marketing and advertising. A fun, friendly mascot can make a product or company seem more appealing, especially to kids. They can also be used to entertain crowds at events or to teach important lessons.

Types of Mascots

Mascots appear in many different places. They can be found in sports, businesses, and even major international events. Each type of mascot serves a slightly different purpose, but they all aim to represent something important.

Sports Mascots

Sports teams often have mascots to cheer on their players and entertain fans. These mascots are usually costumed characters who perform at games. They get the crowd excited and are a big part of the team's spirit. For example, the University of Miami has Sebastian the Ibis as its mascot. Another famous sports mascot is the San Diego Chicken, who was very popular in the 1970s and 80s. These mascots become symbols of their teams and cities.

Company Mascots

Many companies and brands use mascots to help people remember their products. These mascots are often cartoon characters or animated figures. They appear in advertisements and on product packaging. Some of the most famous company mascots include Mickey Mouse for Disney, Bugs Bunny for Warner Bros., and Ronald McDonald for McDonald's. Video game companies also have well-known mascots, like Mario for Nintendo and Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega. These characters help make brands friendly and recognizable.

Event Mascots

Large events, especially international ones like the Olympic Games, often create their own special mascots. These mascots are designed to represent the spirit and culture of the host city or country. For the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the mascots were Wenlock and Mandeville. For the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the mascots were Soohorang (a white tiger) and Bandabi (an Asiatic black bear). These mascots become symbols of the event and are often used on merchandise and in ceremonies.

Famous Mascots Around the World

Mascots are a global phenomenon, with many beloved characters coming from different countries and cultures.

Mascots in Entertainment

The world of entertainment is full of iconic mascots. From classic cartoons to modern movies, these characters often become household names.

Mickey Mouse: Created by Disney, Mickey Mouse is one of the most famous cartoon characters ever.
Bugs Bunny: This clever rabbit is the face of Warner Bros. cartoons.
Mario: Nintendo's famous plumber is a global video game icon.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Sega's super-fast hedgehog is another popular video game mascot.
Kermit the Frog: A beloved puppet character created by Jim Henson.
Fred Flintstone: The main character from Hanna-Barbera's classic cartoon.
Superman and Batman: These superheroes are key characters for DC Comics.
Hello Kitty: A very popular character from Sanrio in Japan.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The cheerful sea sponge is the mascot for Nickelodeon.

Mascots in Sports

Sports mascots are known for their energy and ability to pump up a crowd.

Sebastian the Ibis: The mascot for the University of Miami, known for its "The U" hand gesture.
San Diego Chicken: An independent mascot who became famous for entertaining crowds at sports events.
Boomer Beaver: The former mascot for the Portland Beavers, a minor league baseball team.

Mascots play a huge role in making events, teams, and products more exciting and memorable for everyone. They are a fun way to bring people together and show what a group is all about.

Images for kids

The San Diego Chicken, portrayed by Ted Giannoulas, was a staple in the San Diego area during the 1970s and 80s. On the right is United States President Ronald Reagan at a campaign stop in San Diego during the 1988 election.
University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis makes the University of Miami's signature "The U" hand gesture, December 2007
Boomer Beaver (photographed in 2007) was the mascot for the Portland Beavers, a now-defunct Minor League Baseball team.
Rooster is the mascot for a company in Croatia
Soohorang (left) and Bandabi (right) were the mascots for the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Paralympics, respectively, in Pyeongchang, South Korea.