Definition
A line of plush toys and animated characters created by American Greetings in 1983, each bearing a unique symbol on their belly and associated with specific emotions or values like love, friendship, and courage. The franchise became a staple of 1980s childhood culture with television shows, movies, and a massive range of merchandise.
Example Usage
She still has her original Care Bears collection from the 1980s tucked away in storage.
Origin
Developed by American Greetings as part of their greeting card line; characters were designed to teach children about emotions and social values.
Fun Fact
Each Care Bear had a distinct belly badge (or 'Belly Badge') that represented its special power or personality trait, making them collectible based on individual character appeal.
Related Terms
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