How to Create Whimsical Characters Kids Will Never Forget
Whimsical characters are the heartbeat of a good children’s story. They’re the ones kids remember long after the book is closed. They make children laugh, feel brave, and stay curious. A whimsical character doesn’t have to be magical. Sometimes the “magic” is simply the way they see the world — a little differently than everyone else.
If you’re writing a children’s story and you want your character to feel alive, this post will help. I’m sharing simple, creative ways to build characters that children truly care about. And if you’d like a fun example of a quirky character, you can meet Licorice in Licorice’s Big Adventures — a cockapoo with a big imagination and an even bigger heart.
Why Whimsical Characters Matter in Children’s Stories
Children love characters who surprise them. They love the rabbit who wears a fancy hat. The mouse who thinks it’s a lion. The dog who believes it can solve every mystery on the block. These characters give kids a little escape — but they also give them something more important: a safe way to explore emotions.
A whimsical character can teach children:
- How to be brave
- How to deal with fear
- How to make friends
- How to recover after mistakes
- How to laugh when things don’t go as planned
Whimsy is fun, but it can also be deeply comforting.
The Secret Ingredient: Unique and Relatable
The best whimsical characters have two things:
- Something unusual (so they stand out)
- Something relatable (so kids connect emotionally)
Uniqueness and Quirkiness
Whimsical characters always have something special about them. It can be physical, emotional, or even just the way they behave. The key is that their uniqueness feels fun, not confusing.
Here are a few examples:
- A rabbit who wears a monocle and loves tea parties
- A gentle giant who collects tiny objects
- A cockapoo who solves mysteries on sunny afternoons
- A turtle who is afraid of water
- A squirrel who organizes acorns by color
Quirks give your character flavor. They also give you story ideas, because quirks always lead to funny or interesting situations.
Relatable Traits
Even the quirkiest character should feel emotionally real. Children connect deeply to characters who feel the way they feel.
Relatable traits can include:
- Shyness
- Curiosity
- Jealousy
- Big feelings
- Wanting to belong
- Fear of trying something new
For example, a cockapoo might act brave in front of friends, but secretly feel scared of the ocean. A timid mouse might want a best friend but not know how to say hello. Kids recognize those feelings, and that’s what pulls them into the story.
The Creative Process: How to Build a Character That Feels Real
Here are three steps that help you develop a character that feels alive. They’re simple, and they work.
1) Start With One Strong Idea
Most lovable characters begin with one clear idea. Ask yourself:
- What makes this character different?
- What do they want most?
- What kind of story do they belong in?
If your story is about friendship, your character might be an animal who makes everyone laugh, even when they’re sad. If your story is about courage, your character might be brave in silly ways but afraid of one important thing.
2) Give Your Character a Backstory
You don’t need a long backstory — just enough to explain why your character acts the way they do. Ask:
- What happened before the story begins?
- What are they proud of?
- What are they afraid of?
- What do they wish they could change?
For example, maybe your cockapoo was once a shy puppy… until a group of children at the park loved it so much that it finally felt safe being playful. One small detail like that can shape the whole character.
3) Make the Character Easy to Picture
Children love sensory details. Describe how your character moves, sounds, and behaves. Consider:
- How they walk (bounce, shuffle, tiptoe)
- How they laugh (snort, giggle, howl)
- What they carry (a tiny notebook, a shiny rock, a scarf)
- What they always do (hums, twirls, taps their foot)
A vivid character is a character kids remember.
How to Add More Whimsy Without Making the Story Too Silly
Whimsy works best when it has balance — a little magic, a little humor, and a little heart.
Add a Touch of Wonder
Your story doesn’t need spells or dragons. Wonder can be something small but surprising:
- A treehouse that feels alive
- An animal who speaks in funny riddles
- A hat that gives someone “silly confidence”
- A cloud that changes into meaningful shapes
Use Humor Naturally
Children love humor, especially when it feels real. Humor can come from misunderstandings, silly habits, or unexpected outcomes. For example, your cockapoo might proudly lead the group… and then walk them straight into a puddle.
Let Friendship Drive the Story
Friendship makes characters feel meaningful. Even a funny story sticks better when the characters care about each other. Friendship scenes create warmth, teamwork, kindness, and real emotions.
The Best Way to Show Character: Dialogue and Interaction
The quickest way to make a character feel alive is through what they say and how they react to others.
Dialogue Should Sound Like That Character
A shy character speaks differently than a bold character. A bossy character sounds different than a sweet one. Try giving your character:
- A favorite phrase
- A speaking style (short, long, dramatic, curious)
- A little humor
- A little emotion
Even one funny line can make kids fall in love.
Interaction Creates Personality
A character alone is fine, but a character with a friend, rival, or mentor becomes memorable. For example:
- A wise owl giving advice to a cockapoo who always gets into trouble
- A grumpy cat learning to laugh
- A nervous mouse learning courage from a playful pup
Kids learn through relationships. That’s why these scenes matter.
Final Thought: Let Your Character Become a Friend
That’s what kids want. They want a character who feels like someone they could meet, play with, and keep as a friend in their imagination.
When you create whimsical characters, remember:
- Make them unusual enough to be fun
- Make them real enough to be loved
- Give them a fear, a dream, and a little growing to do
- Let them be imperfect (kids trust imperfect characters)
If you’d like a fun example of a whimsical animal character with heart, you can meet Licorice here: Licorice’s Big Adventures.