Meeting your favorite cartoon character was supposed to be one of the best parts of childhood. Judging by these photos, however, things didn’t always go according to plan. Giant heads, creepy smiles, questionable homemade costumes, and characters that looked only vaguely like the ones they were supposed to represent – the kids’ reactions make these photos even better.
The community at 'Awkward Family Photos' has been sharing amusing pictures from family albums, along with the hilarious stories behind them, for years.
Scroll down for photos that sometimes look less like a dream come true and more like the beginning of a nightmare – or a straight-up horror movie. What about you, Pandas? Do you remember any similar situations from your childhood, where your parents tried to entertain you, but you ended up with a trauma for life?
#1
“My brother met a clown during our trip to New York City. He was thrilled.”
Report
10points
#2
“My sister at her Chuck E. Cheese birthday party. I am the child on the right doing absolutely nothing to console her.”
Report
9points
#4
“Chicago, 1982. The year I became afraid of clowns. And whatever that thing is behind me.”
Report
8points
#6
“Here’s me in 1986 with this terrifying Big Bird where you can see the guy’s face in the cutout below the beak.”
Report
7points
#7
"It was 1979, and I met Miss Piggy in Pontins holiday park, Prestatyn, North Wales. It looked like she was recovering from a rough night."
Report
7points
#8
“Still not sure why my mom wanted to take us for Halloween pics with the Michael Myers of penguins.”
Report
7points
#9
“My sister on the lap of the most gawd-awful Easter Bunny ever.”
Report
7points
#10
“My mom thought it would be a good idea to hire whatever this is for my 3rd birthday party. This photo was taken moments before I started screaming and crying.”
Report
7points
#11
"My cousins and I at a birthday party with Alf, who appears to be having a rough one."
Report
6points
#12
“We took my son to a church Easter egg hunt. Afterward, he took photos with the bunny… and a bonus clown and bird.”
Report
6points
#14
“Just what every kid recovering from an elbow reconstruction wants: a huge promotional fish from Long John Silver's stopping by with a care package of coloring supplies. The early 90s were a strange time.”
Report
5points
#17
“1989, Texas. Me with our local mall easter bunny. Something seemed a little off.”
Report
5points
#20
“Found this gem while digitizing our family photos. It was taken sometime in the late 70s in Des Moines, Iowa. I’m the little guy with Cookie Monster and my brother, whose sole comment upon seeing this photo was, ‘miss that hat.'”
Report
4points