They nod, they wobble, and they make people smile: bobbleheads are some of the most popular collectibles in the world. National Bobblehead Day, on January 7, celebrates these spring-necked figurines, from sports stars and cartoon characters to custom versions of friends and family. Whether you have a shelf full of them or a single one on your desk, it is a fun day to show off your collection or make a bobblehead of your own.
History of National Bobblehead Day
Nodding figures go back centuries. In 18th-century Europe and Asia, craftspeople made 'nodders' from porcelain and other materials, often depicting people or animals whose heads moved on a pivot. Some historians trace related toys even further back in China and Japan.
In the 1950s and 1960s, papier-mâché bobbleheads of Major League Baseball players became popular in the United States, and nodding dogs and hula dancers decorated car dashboards. Interest faded in the 1970s and 1980s, as cheaper toys took their place.
The modern bobblehead boom began around 1999, when the San Francisco Giants gave away Willie Mays bobbleheads to fans at a game. The promotion was a huge success, and bobblehead nights became a staple of baseball and other sports. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Milwaukee in 2019. National Bobblehead Day is commonly said to have started in 2015, though its exact founder is not well documented.
Why National Bobblehead Day Matters
Bobbleheads are a lighthearted way to celebrate people we admire, from athletes to historical figures. They are affordable collectibles, and stadium giveaways often become cherished souvenirs of a special game.
They also capture pop culture history. A collection of bobbleheads can tell the story of a team, an era or a family's favorite characters.
How to Celebrate National Bobblehead Day
- Show off your collection: line up your bobbleheads and share a photo.
- Make a custom bobblehead: order one of a friend, pet or family member as a gift.
- Visit a ballpark: check the season schedule for bobblehead giveaway nights.
- Learn the history: look up the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Craft one at home: make a simple bobblehead with a paper cup, a spring and clay.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a bobblehead is a fun team award: pass a custom bobblehead around each week to recognize a colleague, or decorate desks with bobbleheads of the team's favorite characters. In classrooms, students can build simple bobbleheads to learn about springs, balance and center of gravity, or make bobbleheads of historical figures they are studying and present a short biography. At home, families can make DIY bobbleheads from recycled materials, organize a collection display, or plan a trip to a baseball game with a bobblehead giveaway next season. Children enjoy designing a bobblehead of themselves and deciding what pose and outfit it should have.
Fun Facts About National Bobblehead Day
- Nodding figures were made in 18th-century Europe from porcelain.
- A 1999 Willie Mays giveaway sparked the modern bobblehead craze.
- The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Milwaukee in 2019.
National Bobblehead Day FAQs
When is National Bobblehead Day?
National Bobblehead Day is January 7.
When were bobbleheads invented?
Nodding figures date back to at least the 1700s; modern sports bobbleheads became popular in the 1960s and again from 1999.
Where is the bobblehead museum?
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Are bobbleheads valuable?
Some vintage and limited-edition bobbleheads are valuable, especially in original packaging.