As a comic-reading kid (which included books, strips, and webcomics when they came around), Peanuts was one of the first ongoing strips I latched onto. I loved seeing a strip about kids doing kid things, and I related to Charlie Brown’s inability to get ahead, which might say more about me than anything else.
Charlie Brown was also the first time I saw one of my favourite comics translated into animation on TV. It was amazing to see characters who had largely lived in my head move around and have actual voices. Every time a Charlie Brown holiday special came on, I was ready for it, popcorn in hand.
Charlie Brown holiday movies are great because they have relatable stories, grounded yet fantastical characters, and they pioneered the calm, warm tone of many modern shows. They’ve taught how to deal with commercialism, the importance of friends & family, and the age-old question: what the heck is Arbor Day? (which I will answer).
Below is a list of the best Charlie Brown holiday movies and what they teach kids. I use the term ‘movies’ here broadly, as sometimes these were listed as ‘specials,’ sometimes ‘made-for-TV’ features, or even just compilations of other animated stories. The ones I’ve picked span all classifications, mainly because Charlie Brown has been around for 75+ years.
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975)
In another classic Charlie Brown holiday movie, all Charlie Brown wants for Valentine’s Day is to get just one Valentine. He spends the entire special waiting by his mailbox, hoping against hope that one will arrive. Linus buys an expensive box of candy for his teacher, Miss Othmar, leading Sally to mistakenly believe the gift is for her. The story culminates at the school Valentine’s party, where Charlie Brown is famously the only child who doesn’t receive a card. Sally learns not to jump to conclusions, leading to a bittersweet but hopeful ending.
What ‘Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown ‘ Teaches Kids: Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown makes kids feel for Charlie Brown, teaching them to look out for those who might feel left out or lonely during holidays like Valentine’s Day. It realistically portrays the “downs” of childhood, showing that it’s okay to feel sad or lonely, but also that you can turn to your friends for help. Schroeder and Linus end up standing up for Charlie Brown, showing kids that being a good friend is more important than the number of cards you receive.
Age Recommendation: 4+
A Charlie Brown Valentine (2002)
The theme of this newer Valentine’s movie is crushes. Charlie Brown is determined to finally win the affection of the Little Red-Haired Girl by sending her a Valentine, but he finds himself paralyzed by his own anxiety. While Charlie Brown tries to figure things out, the rest of the gang deals with their own unrequited crushes: Lucy wants Schroeder’s attention, and Sally is looking for a gift from Linus. The special is interwoven with silly antics from Snoopy, as he tries to help Charlie Brown navigate his feelings in his own way.
What ‘A Charlie Brown Valentine’ Teaches Kids: Beyond teaching kids that “fairy tale” endings aren’t always within reach, A Charlie Brown Valentine shows kids that while it’s scary to express your feelings, the effort itself is a sign of growth. It also prepares kids by helping them understand that not everyone will like them back the way they want. Learning to accept that with understanding is part of growing up. Lastly, throughout it all, Charlie Brown remains hopeful, showing kids that one bad day doesn’t define your future.
Age Recommendation: 3+
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (1974)
Much like the Halloween holiday movie, It’s The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown sees Linus convinced that the Easter Beagle will bring eggs instead of the kids decorating them. This bothers Sally because she loves decorating eggs, but Linus dismisses it, saying the Easter Beagle will take care of them. Meanwhile, Peppermint Patty and Marcie tryto dye Easter eggs, but Marcie struggles with the task. Lucy organizes an Easter egg hunt, but Snoopy follows behind, snatching the eggs up so that he can hand them out to everyone as the Easter Beagle.
What ‘It’s The Easter Beagle Charlie Brown’ Teaches Kids: The special shows that things sometimes require effort. You can’t always rely on others to do the work, and when they don’t, it’s important to help them and be understanding instead of angry. Like The Great Pumpkin, the show teaches that believing in something is important, but can lead to disappointment if it replaces responsibility. In the end, forgiveness and flexibility are what make special events and holidays fu,n and there’s nothing wrong with working with people to help fix mistakes.
Age Recommendation: 4–7
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976)
This Charlie Brown holiday movie gets a little meta. After Sally is embarrassed in school for not knowing what Arbor Day is, she decides to do a report on it and plant trees and flowers with the rest of the gang. Unfortunately, she chooses to plant these right in the middle of Charlie Brown’s baseball field. Charlie Brown is horrified, but tries to make the best of the situation by placing baseball gloves and caps on the trees to make them look like scarecrows. Peppermint Patty’s team is unable to score, giving Charlie Brown’s team the advantage. At school the next day, Sally gives a successful report on the true meaning of Arbor Day.
What ‘It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown’ Teaches Kids: First and foremost, It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown teaches kids the importance of conservation and planting trees to take care of the Earth. It also highlights quick thinking and perseverance as Charlie Brown learns to adapt to a “disaster” by finding a way to make the best of his ruined baseball field. The special also encourages kids to take an active part in the beautification of their community, and how kids can take initiative to improve their local surroundings through nature.
Age Recommendation: 4+
Before we move on to the next Charlie Brown movie special, I did promise you an answer to the question: What is Arbor Day?
Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to the planting, caring for, and celebration of trees. The day is celebrated to promote environmental conservation and to bring communities together to make their living spaces more beautiful. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, and many countries have since adopted their own versions to highlight the vital role trees play in providing clean air, protecting soil, and sustaining ecosystems.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
In probably the second-most recognized Charlie Brown holiday movie of all time, Charlie Brown and The Peanuts gang celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and a costume party. But Linus insists on faithfully waiting in a pumpkin patch for the “Great Pumpkin”, whom he believes will bring gifts. The only kid who believes him is Sally, and the two spend the night in the pumpkin patch. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown endures his usual bad luck, receiving rocks instead of candy.
What ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ Teaches Kids: It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown teaches kids that believing in something deeply is ok and can bring comfort, even if others don’t understand. It also shows them that making fun of others’ beliefs isn’t a good idea and that friends don’t always agree, but kindness and loyalty still matter. It also teaches viewers that it’s okay to be disappointed, and that even if your beliefs differ, it’s important to keep your sense of hope.
Age Recommendation: 4+
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Completing the trifecta of classic Charlie Brown holiday movies, Charlie Brown and Sally are supposed to go to their grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, but Peppermint Patty calls and invites herself, and a few others, over to the Brown’s for Thanksgiving. Charlie Brown enlists Snoopy and Linus to help him prepare an impromptu feast of toast, popcorn, pretzels, and jelly beans. This results in a backyard “dinner” on a ping-pong table, where everyone tries to reconcile their expectations with the reality of the Thanksgiving “feast’ before them.
What ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Teaches Kids: The holiday isn’t about the specific food on the table, but about the company you keep and being thankful for the people in your life. Charlie Brown shows kids that even if you feel overwhelmed, you can make the best of a situation with what you have. The dynamic between Charlie Brown and the pushy Peppermint Patty offers a lesson in communication and setting boundaries (and the importance of apologizing when you’ve been rude).
Age Recommendation: 3+
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Let’s start with arguably the most famous Charlie Brown holiday movie of all time. A Charlie Brown Christmas sees Charlie Brown struggling with the commercialism of Christmas as he tries to direct a school holiday play. He buys a small, scraggly Christmas tree that he sees something in, but everyone else mocks. In the end, Linus reminds the group of the true meaning of Christmas, and the kids rally around Charlie Brown and the tree.
What ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Teaches Kids: A Charlie Brown Christmas teaches kids that Christmas is about kindness and love, not gifts or outward appearances. Kids learn that it’s okay to feel confused or sad, even during “happy” holiday times, and that you can turn to friends to help figure things out. In choosing the tree he likes, Charlie Brown shows kids that standing up for what you believe in matters, even if others disagree. Add in the iconic soundtrack, and you can see why A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a staple of the holidays for over 60 years.
Age Recommendation: 4+
It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992)
Charlie Brown tackles the pressures of the holidays again in the early 1990’s. In It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown, The Peanuts gang prepares for Christmas through a series of short vignettes. Charlie Brown faces holiday stress while trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on his list, Snoopy imagines himself as a heroic sled dog, while Linus reflects on the season’s meaning. The shorter segments make for a faster-paced, but very Charlie Brown-feeling movie.
What ‘It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown’ Teaches Kids: One of the key lessons of It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is that thoughtful gifts from the heart are more important than expensive, trendy or flashy presents. It also teaches that the pressures and chaos of the holidays can be overwhelming and stressful, but its natural to feel that way and OK to take some time to unwind. Linus, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy all learn that the season offers a chance for small moments of kindness and reflection, which makes Christmastime special.
Age Recommendation: 4–8
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales (2002)
Following the concept of the 1992 holiday movie, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales is a collection of short holiday stories featuring the holidays through the eyes of different Peanuts characters. Snoopy tries to make peace with the neighbourhood cat, Lucy deals with getting and giving presents, Sally learns about the Brown family holiday traditions, and Charlie Brown learns that presents aren’t what make the holidays special, it’s the thought that counts.
What ‘Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales’ Teaches Kids: Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales shows kids that everyone experiences holidays differently, and their ways of doing so come from places of love and understanding. Sally, in particular, learns that friendship means accepting others’ feelings and traditions. Each of the gang’s stories proves that joy can come from simple, everyday moments as the short vignettes range from humorous to reflective, showing many sides of the season.
Age Recommendation: 3–7
I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown (2003)
This newer Charlie Brown holiday movie stars Rerun van Pelt, younger sibling of Lucy and Linus, who desperately wants a dog for Christmas. He writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for a dog, but is later discouraged by the high costs of owning a pet and his mother’s objections. He sets his heart on Snoopy, which is obviously not possible. His big brother Linus tries to guide him through the disappointment, and Lucy argues that Rerun would not know how to take care of a dog if he got one. In the end, Rerun learns that love, responsibility, and family matter more than getting exactly what you want.
What ‘I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown’ Teaches Kids: The obvious lesson of I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown is that pets are a responsibility, not just a gift. Rerun learns that you might not always get what you want, but you still get what you need. The van Pelt family shows Rerun that love and understanding are the best gifts, and Snoopy and his brother Spike both show Rerun that pets can be a double-edged sword. They are wonderful and fun, but also a lot of work, so someone should be very sure they can take care of them before bringing one into the family.
Age Recommendation: 4–9
Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)
Disappointed that her Grandmother couldn’t visit for Christmas, Lucy takes the focus of this Charlie Brown holiday movie and decides to throw the “ultimate” New Year’s Eve party. Before the party, Charlie Brown becomes obsessed with fulfilling just one of his resolutions from the previous year before the clock strikes midnight. The party is a disaster as Lucy’s bossiness pushes her friends away, forcing the gang to figure out what it truly means to celebrate the passing of time.
What ‘Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne’ Teaches Kids: The big takeaway from For Auld Lang Syne is when Lucy learns that she doesn’t need a perfect party or popularity to be “lovable.” Kids see her friends and brother love her regardless of her flaws, which helps them feel more comfortable exploring what they might see as their own. The other lesson is that New Year’s “Resolutions” are more important than how you treat the people around you in the present moment. Also, not reaching a resolution isn’t a failure; it’s a chance to re-evaluate yourself and grow.
Age Recommendation: 4+
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! (1986)
In this New Year’s themed Charlie Brown holiday movie, winter break is ruined when Charlie Brown’s teacher assigns a massive book report on Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” While the rest of the gang is getting ready for Peppermint Patty’s big New Year’s Eve party, Charlie Brown is forced to spend his time diving into the massive book and taking it everywhere he goes. He tries his best to finish the book in time to have a New Year’s Dance with the Little Red-Haired Girl at the party, but he ends up falling asleep and missing his chance.
What ‘Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!’ Teaches Kids: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! It is, at heart, a cautionary tale about procrastinating and waiting until the last minute to do what you need to do. However, even though it’s a big task, Charlie Brown doesn’t give up on the book, teaching kids the value of persevering through a difficult job. In true Charlie Brown fashion, it also shows kids that sometimes you can do your best and things still won’t work out perfectly. But as long as you tried, you can be proud of that.
Age Recommendation: 5+