Remember the first time you noticed Google’s logo change into an entertaining piece of craftsmanship? For me, it was back in my awkward middle school days. My friends and I thought it was quirky, cute, and pretty darn amusing.
Each day, the plot thickened as the next phase of the story unfolded (edge-of-your-seat stuff, I know).
It started with a tiny cartoon UFO hovering ominously over the Google logo. Over the next couple of days, the spacecraft touched down, and a pint-sized green Martian popped out. The cheeky little extraterrestrial then hijacked the logo, strapped it to his ship, and jetted off to Mars to spruce up his pad.
Mind. Blown. I had never seen a brand pull off something so creative and engaging. Google noted the buzz around its doodles and ran with it. Now, we eagerly await its next stroke of doodle genius.
To date, Google’s cranked out over 2,000 of these bad boys. I’ve rounded up my top 30 picks (in no particular order) that are equal parts delightful, hilarious, heartwarming, and inspiring.
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30 of our Favorite Google Doodles
1. Teacher Appreciation Week (2023)
One of the best (and most important) jobs on the planet is shaping the minds of children and young adults. So, in this Google Doodle, we have a GIF of a sunny teacher watering plant-like students with knowledge — a wonderful depiction of how awesome educators are.
Why I Like It
Teachers don’t get enough recognition, let alone praise. I can’t agree more as the daughter and granddaughter of teachers and as a homeschooling parent. It’s a tough job and deserves a doodle and then some to shout out the hardworking educators who make a difference in the lives of our youth.
2. Doodle for Google Winner 2021
Google holds annual Doodle for Google contests where artists can win and showcase their art on the search engine’s homepage. In 2021, Milo Golding won for his artwork of a young boy offering a yellow balloon to a younger child who appears sad. There are also other representations of growth and hope, which is perfect for his message:
“I am strong because I have hope. I once asked my father how he overcame obstacles and became who he wanted to be. He replied, ‘Hope, hope keeps me strong.’”
This doodle was created to inspire young people who were like Golding, who lost his father to a heart attack at 13.
Why I Like It
Inspiration and art are always a great combination. I can’t get enough of artwork that symbolizes something meaningful, especially when it caters to those in pain who need a reminder that hope is still alive. Many of us have lost a loved one and can relate to this message.
3. Sir John Tenniel’s 200th Birthday
Alice and Wonderland is a timeless fairytale that many of us grew up reading (or watching). In this doodle, we have a colorless pencil art image of Alice talking to the Cheshire Cat. It celebrates his 200th birthday and his art style, which continues to be awe-inspiring.
Why I Like It
The Tenniel art style is always something I can marvel over, even in black and white. Alice and Wonderland is a classic that’s been around for ages and continues to capture our imaginations. And I can’t get enough of it — which is why the movie did so well at the box office. A billion dollars in revenue speaks volumes about our love for this timeless masterpiece.
4. Charles Addams’ 100th Birthday
This doodle celebrates the 100th birthday of Charles Addams, the maker of the beloved Addams Family. It shows all our favorites, including Morticia, Gomez, Lurch, Wednesday, Uncle Fester, and Thing. And to top it off, we get to see them depicted in their light — Gomez forever swooning over Morticia and Wednesday, attempting to behead her little bro.
Why I Like It
What’s there not to like? The Addams Family is a classic cartoon, movie, and now series, showing it’s relevance across generations. Just look at the Wednesday Netflix series, which has everyone on the web adopting her look and style — even the kiddos in pre-school are dressing up like her. I appreciate the dark, but fun artwork of this doodle, which adequately captures the spirit of the Addams Family.
5. Richard Scarry’s 92nd Birthday
Richard Scarry is an author who wrote children’s books, including Busy, Busy Town, which features various characters going about their day. It later expanded into a television show, which was very popular in the 90s. This Doodle celebrates Scarry’s 92nd birthday to give homage to his legacy.
Why I Like It
As a child, I grew up watching “The Busy World of Richard Scarry” series. It was a colorful, fun cartoon with interesting characters and a lot of humor. This doodle makes it to the list because of its delightful art style and the nostalgia it brings for those who remember the show.
6. 40th Anniversary of Comic-Con – Designed
Probably one of the coolest Doodles I’ve come across is the drawing of Google as a flying vehicle with Batman, Wonder Woman, Robin, Green Lantern, and Elongated Man (hilarious name, I know). This doodle isn’t about the Justice League, though. It celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Comic-Con, which is where all the cool people gather to dress up like their favorite superheroes, anime characters, and comic book villains.
Why I Like It
Superhero comics are a big part of our culture in America, so it’s great to see Google celebrate it. Plus, I enjoy looking at my favorite caped and non-caped heroes doing their infamous poses.
7. Dilbert Google Doodle 2002
Dilbert is the epitome of America’s office culture that illustrator Scott Adams artfully depicted in his humorous comic strip. This doodle demonstrates this with a three-day series showing a conversation between Dilbert and his boss. The discussion: A new logo for Google by Friday. A hilarious, but true moment for many of us.
Why I Like It
It’s a funny and relatable doodle. We’ve all been in that meeting where we had to brainstorm ideas on a whim. Trying to come up with great ideas is tough, especially with a tight deadline!
8. Celebrating Ladi Kwali
This stunning doodle celebrates Ladi Kwali, the trailblazing Nigerian potter who revolutionized traditional African pottery. The doodle features Kwali doing what she does best — designing beautiful pottery, while onlookers from around the world watch in awe.
Why I Like It
I love anything to do with pioneers and innovators, and that’s exactly what Kwali was. Not only did she design some of the most beautiful African pottery, she also went on to become a lecturer and even has her face on the 20 Naira banknote. Starving artist who?
9. Celebrating Mama Cax
The colors in this doodle are vibrant, just like the bold woman it celebrates. Mama Cax was a Haitian-American model, activist, and cancer survivor. Unfortunately, she passed in 2019 at 30 years old. This doodle shows off her heritage and advocacy for the disabled — look at the prosthetic leg she proudly wears!
Why I Like It
Mama Cax represents perseverance. She battled cancer and then a disability, but didn’t let that stop her from becoming a fashionista wearing stylish prosthetic leg covers on the runway. She was also a big advocate for disability visibility in the fashion industry.
10. Celebrating Selena Quintanilla
Here’s a doodle of the late and great Selena Quintanilla, the Mexican-American singer who died tragically at 23. But it’s not just a drawing, it’s a clickable GIF that’ll play one of her best songs.
Why I Like It
It’s a beautiful tribute to a beautiful musical legend and allows those who enjoyed her music, or who may not’ve heard of her, to listen to one of our popular songs. It’s a nice way to honor the “Queen of Tejano music” and keep her legacy alive.
11. Celebrating Swing Dancing and the Savoy Ballroom
A lively doodle that caught my attention with its flashing ballroom signs and fun art style. It’s a celebration of the Savoy Ballroom, a popular dance hall in Harlem where swing dances like the Lindy Hop became popular. This doodle showcases the era’s fun nature while allowing us to play a fun game where we play toe-tapping tunes with our keyboards.
Why I Like It
Good riddance, Waltz. The swing dance era was when music and ballrooms became the popping place to be. I love how this doodle captures this while also allowing me to take part in the action with its toe-tapping, jazzy game.
12. Luther Vandross’s 70th Birthday
A soulful doodle that honors the 70th birthday of Luther Vandross, a legendary R&B singer. He’s renowned for his smooth voice and romantic ballads, which many of the older generations still vibe to. This doodle shows Vandross singing and allows us to hear one of his most iconic songs: A Thousand Kisses. And, a thousand more to you, Luther.
Why I Like It
The doodle is gorgeous with the purple and gold Google wrap around Luthor doing his thing. It’s a great reminder of the power of music, especially for bringing love birds together.
13. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s 61st Birthday
Israel Kamakawaiwo’ole was a Hawaiian singer who went by the name of Braddah IZ. He’s well-known for his “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” song, which if you listen to, may bring a tear to your eye. It’s a beautiful song sung by a beautiful voice. And this doodle showcases this with a mellow yellow background and a playful rainbow in the backdrop of the singer. Plus, we get to hit play and hear his voice postmortem.
Why I Like It
Beautiful song. Beautiful man. Beautiful doodle. What’s not to like about it? It’s uplifting, just as he intended with his version of the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” song, and we love it.
14. 44th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop
Google gets educational with its 44th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop doodle. The graffiti on the brick wall is a nod to the Bronx and its early days of developing the hip hop movement. Hit play on this multimedia doodle, and it’ll take you back through the history, which is intriguing.
Why I Like It
It‘s a history lesson done in an engaging, fun way, which is always a plus for us. We’re all about edutainment at HubSpot, and this doodle hits the nail right on the head.
15. Stay and Play at Home (COVID edition)
Not too long ago, Americans were locked away, bored inside of their homes while a pandemic raged outside. It was an awful time for many, but Google did it’s part to cheer us up. It created a series of “Stay and Play at Home” doodles like this one, featuring videos and music to keep us edutained.
Why I Like It
The doodle is a reminder that we can get through tough times with the help of music. Google touched multiple genres, like hip hop, classical, and others, to capture the ears of its audience.
16. 30th Anniversary of PAC-MAN
I distinctly remember this doodle when it came out, and I was one of the many who played it for at least an hour straight. This “goodle” celebrates the 30th anniversary of PAC-MAN and its four arche nemeses’: Pinky, Blinky, Inky, and Clyde.
Why I Like It
I get to play a childhood favorite game in the office (or home office). What’s there not to enjoy? It’s a great way to spend your lunch break and get your head back in the “game” of work.
17. Lucille Ball’s 100th Birthday
This is one of the first video doodles made, featuring Lucille Ball’s ‘I Love Lucy’ series. Click the bacl and white TV and watch one of her most infamous episodes with her and her friend working in the factory as they struggle to keep up with a conveyor belt. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.
This doodle celebrates Lucy’s 100th birthday (time sure flies) and her legacy of breaking barriers and paving the way for generations of female entertainers.
Why I Like It
Comedy in its early days was fresh, fun, and unique and still makes us laugh today. It’s great to see Google commemorate one of the greats in a doodle that takes us back to 1950s America (before all the tech took over our lives).
18. Celebrating Georges Méliès
One of the first filmmakers to bring us special effects and fantasy storytelling is being celebrated in this doodle. Georges Méliès, the visionary French filmmaker, made his mark in the early days of cinema by building the first movie studio. The doodle features an interactive journey through Méliès’s imaginative world, so definitely check it out.
Why I Like It
The doodle does an excellent job of capturing the style of Georges’ work and allows those who never heard of him to take a trip back in time. It’s always fun to see the evolution of movie magic and how it’s transformed film today.
19. Celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach
This musical doodle celebrates Johann Sebastian Bach, the Baroque composer whose works continue to inspire and delight music lovers everywhere. It features an interactive AI-powered tool that lets users create their own Bach-inspired melodies.
Why I Like It
Are you kidding me? I get to sit down, tap into my genius, and generate a classical tune? Count me in. It’s a clever and accessible way to explore one of the greatest minds before our time. This doodle reminds me of classical music’s timeless beauty and the joy of creating something new from something old.
20. Doodle Champion Island Games
Here’s one of the most fun Google Doodles ever. It had a series of Champion Island Games and a real-time global leaderboard, bringing out our competitive spirit. It’s an interactive game where you play seven sports mini-games. The goal is to collect all seven sacred scrolls by defeating the champions of each game.
Why I Like It
I, for one, spent hours playing these games, and almost missed a deadline! It brings back the concept of arcade games where your score matters. Anyone, at any time, from anywhere, can swoop in and beat you.
21. Celebrating Corky Lee
This powerful doodle celebrates Corky Lee, the renowned photojournalist who documented the Asian-Pacific American experience and fought for social justice through his lens. The doodle features some of Lee’s most iconic images and captures his spirit of activism.
Why I Like It
It’s a moving tribute to a tireless advocate who used his art to give voice to the voiceless and shine a light on the struggles and triumphs of a community. This doodle reminds me of the importance of bearing witness and standing up for what’s right.
22. Celebrating May Ayim
This poetic doodle celebrates May Ayim, the Afro-German poet, educator, and activist who used her words to challenge racism and champion social justice. The doodle illustrates Ayim’s powerful verses and celebrates her legacy of resistance.
Why I Like It
As advocates of the power of the word, we can’t help but be moved by May’s triumphs in Germany for the Blacks born and raised there. “My Pen Is My Sword: Racism and Resistance in Germany” is one of her famous speeches and proves how much a pen and paper (or a keyboard and computer) can do.
23. Dr. Maya Angelou’s 90th Birthday
Another tribute to poetry is this doodle to Dr. Maya Angelou for her 90th birthday. It showcases her with pretty flowers in the background. Plus, it allows us to play one of her most famous, and heartfelt poems: Still I Rise.
Why I Like It
Maya is the woman in all of us who’s been through traumas, inequality, and triumph. Her voice and words remind us that we can never give up hope and must always push on. And to always pay it forward — in her words, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
24. Laura Esther Rodríguez Dulanto’s 146th Birthday
You don’t hear much about the first women to break barriers across the South Americas. So here’s a doodle celebrating Laura Esther Roddriguez Dulanto for her 146th birthday. She was the first female Peruvian physician to practice medicine in the country. Dulanto specialized in gynecology and published papers on ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids.
Why I Like It
Placing a spotlight on the unheard voices and unseen faces of women in history is important. I, for one, never heard of her. I’m happy Google is digging up dirt to unearth these lesser-known figures and give them a lasting place in our minds.
25. Justicia Espada Acuña’s 128th Birthday
Here‘s a doodle dedicated to Justicia Espada Acuña’s 128th birthday. She was the first female Chilean engineer. She worked as a calculator for the State Railways’ Department of Roads and Works until she retired in 1954. This doodle depicts her as a young woman in early 20th-century clothing, designing schematics.
Why I Like It
Representing the women who played a role in making the world a better place is what we’re all about. This doodle inspires and educates the next generations of girls to go after and achieve their professional dreams. Oh, and did I mention she took some time off to raise her seven children before returning to her role? Phenomenal.
26. Celebrating 50 years of Kids Coding
Google celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kids’ coding languages by publishing this doodle during Computer Science Education Week. It showcases an animated, playful game world and allows us to play a free coding game.
Why I Like It
Programming makes the digital world go round, so we have to support movements that drive youngsters into the field. Plus, the coding game is edutaining, which is a big plus.
27. 45th Anniversary of the Chipko Movement
This Google doodle is a tree-hugger delight. It features the Chipko Movement in India, a nonviolent protest against commercial deforestation for the logging industry. It’s been 45 years since it began, but it wasn’t the first time. The initial movement dates back to the 18th century when 363 people from 84 different villages came together to protect the trees. Powerful.
Why I Like It
The earth is our only home — if we don’t defend it, who will? These and other movements worldwide are led by our planet’s blue people (Avatars), so kudos (and hugs) to the people standing before the bulldozers.
28. 100th Anniversary of The Russian Nature Reserves
Here‘s another doodle celebrating nature’s advocates — this time, it’s for the 100th anniversary of the Russian Nature Reserves. It was established in 1917 to protect the country’s forests. Today, it has over 13K reserves, making up millions of acres of protected land. This doodle features some of Russia’s most beautiful landscapes that are still intact, thanks to this movement.
Why I Like It
As nature lovers, we can’t help but love this doodle and everything it represents. From the mountains to the sea, the earth belongs to you and me. So, we have to preserve it and voice our outcries to keep the greedy corporations from damaging the only home we have. This doodle shows what happens when we stand up for our earth.
29. Celebrating Dr. James Naismith
This doodle shows the inventor of basketball — Dr. James Naismith. It has two young children bouncing and shooting a soccer ball into a peach bucket attached to a wall. In 1871, the Canadian scientist was tasked with creating an indoor game children could play during the brutal winters. What he probably didn’t expect was for it to become a worldwide sport loved by billions.
Why I Like It
Naismith is why we watch G.O.A.T.s like Michael Jordan, Stephan Curry, and Kobe Bryant. So, this animated doodle is a win because life would be a lot duller without basketball.
30. 2019 Women’s World Cup
This doodle celebrates all women who participated in the 2019 World Cup event. It showcases the tournaments played by different teams — all in the name of fun and good sportsmanship.
Why I Like It
We couldn’t leave this article without shouting out the doodle exposing the Wonder Women in the World Cup. It was entertaining to watch, and the U.S. won the gold. Aside from that, its diversity and unity demonstrate precisely what the Olympics should be about — togetherness to compete in fairness and honor for our home countries.
Which Google Doodle was your favorite?
Maybe it‘s one or two on this list, or a doodle I didn’t include. Either way, we can agree that Google does an amazing job of sharing information, inspiration, and fun for everyone to enjoy in the form of art.
Of the doodles on this list, my favorites have to go to:
- 50 years of kids coding. It’s something I push in my household. I have a team of kid coders in my midst, thanks to this movement. Plus, I enjoyed the coding challenge.
- 44th anniversary of the birth of hip hop. As an avid lover of the “original” hip hop movement that was positive, creative, and represented the struggle of African Americans, I enjoyed the doodle and its history lesson. It keeps the vision alive. Hopefully, it’ll inspire younger generations to bring it back to what it once was.
- Champion Island Games. I grew up playing Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Playstation (and still play occasionally), so I really enjoyed the trials against the world’s players to see who’d come out on top. Now, if it wasn’t for that looming deadline, I might’ve crushed a few leaderboards.
Google Doodles are meant to be fun and inspirational, and it’s crushing it so far. So I’ll continue to look forward to what it creates next so I can watch, listen, learn, and play along.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2014 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.