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Since the very first Doodle in 1998, there have been thousands and thousands of Google Doodles (and counting). From artists to astronauts, Google have been celebrating birthdays, holiday and all manner of special occasions from all over the world; with their dedicated team of Doodlers coming up with ideas all the time.
As Digital Marketers, the internet features pretty highly in our day-to-day lives so we’ve seen more than our fair share of Doodles over the years. So got thinking, which are our favourite Doodles of all time?
What is a Google Doodle?
A Google Doodle is a special, temporary modification of the Google logo on its homepage to celebrate holidays, events, achievements, and notable historical figures. These doodles can be static images, interactive games, animations, or even short videos.
Google creates doodles for a wide range of topics, including national holidays, scientific discoveries, cultural events, and famous birthdays. For example, there have been doodles honouring Albert Einstein, the Olympics, and even Pac-Man (which was an interactive game).
The first Google Doodle appeared in 1998, when Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, added a stick figure behind the logo to indicate they were attending the Burning Man festival. Since then, Google has released thousands of doodles, often designed by a dedicated team called the Doodle Team.
Well Doodle Team, here are the Google Doodles we love and remember:
10. Happy Holidays from Google 2004-5
It’s that time of year—time to spread a little holiday cheer! This Doodle was all about celebrating the festive season with a special holiday message from Google. In 2004, Google wished everyone a Happy Holiday with a simple but joyful design that captured the season’s spirit.
Holiday time is all about family, fun, and giving back, so whether you’re relaxing at home, sharing meals with loved ones, or taking in the season’s festivities, it’s a time for good vibes and making memories. Google’s 2004-2005 Doodle added to that festive feeling with a cheerful reminder to enjoy the holiday season.
Whether you’re into holiday traditions, winter wonderlands, or just the food, it’s a time to appreciate the small things and celebrate what makes this season special. Google sure knows how to spread the holiday spirit!
9. Celebrating Scones 2023
Fresh out of the oven! This Doodle celebrates scones, a classic afternoon tea treat in the UK. Often served with jam and clotted cream, they’re a bakery staple from Scotland to England. On this day in 1657, afternoon tea was first introduced in London.
Scones are believed to have originated in Scotland in the 1500s and became popular with royals like Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who made tea and scones a daily ritual. The combo later became a hit in southern England, giving birth to the term ‘cream tea.’
And the scone debate continues: jam first or cream? In Cornwall, it’s jam first, while in Devon, cream goes on top. Oh, and did you know the pronunciation of ‘scone’ differs by region? In the south, it rhymes with ‘tone,’ while in the north, it rhymes with ‘gone.’
Whether plain, fruity, or savory (like cheese), scones are a must-try in tearooms worldwide. However you like them, enjoy your scone!
8. Teachers’ Day 2022
This Doodle is all about celebrating the amazing teachers who inspire, educate, and shape our future. Teachers play a crucial role in helping students grow, not just academically but personally too. On Teachers’ Day, we take a moment to recognize their hard work, dedication, and the positive impact they have on communities around the world.
Whether in classrooms or virtual spaces, teachers continue to guide and support students, helping them reach their full potential.
7. Get Vaccinated 2021
Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Save lives.
COVID-19 is still affecting communities worldwide and this Doodle sums it up. Do your part—find a local vaccine site and follow safety guidelines to help stop the spread.
Stay informed, stay connected, and learn more about how we’re responding.
6. Thanksgiving 2024
Every fourth Thursday of November, families and friends across the U.S. gather for good food and quality time. It’s a day to reflect on gratitude, with some giving back through food drives and charity events.
Food takes centre stage—think turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Many communities also celebrate with festive parades, just like the one in this Doodle!
5. St Patrick’s Day 2012
This little gem is one of Google’s most creative St Patrick’s Day Doodles. Featuring traditional Celtic designs and depicting scenes from the famous Book of Kells, this is a truly Irish Doodle.
4. Doctor Who 50th Anniversary
Nerd culture powers Google so what could be more fitting than a custom game created for the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s most famous Nerd Culture icons?
3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
As one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, we simply couldn’t leave this Doodle off the list. Everyone in our office has read it at one point or another and it immediately started a discussion about our favourite childhood books.
2. Robert Moog’s birthday
The inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, Robert Moog might not be one of the most famous people to warrant a Doodle over the years but the fun interactive Doodle was voted onto the list unanimously, and only one Doodle could beat it…
1. 30th Anniversary of PAC-MAN
Arguably one of the most popular Doodles ever, this was also the first ever playable Doodle. We all wasted a little bit of time that day playing a game that most of us hadn’t played for years.
So there you have it, the Digivate top 10 Google Doodles of all time.
Article by
Tess O'Bamber
