If you grew up watching Sesame Street, chances are your kids now can't get enough of this beloved, family-friendly educational show starring everyone's favorite little red monster, Elmo. Sesame Street first aired back in 1969 and is now in its 55th season, nearly 56 years later.

Over the decades, the show has expanded from a small cast of characters to more than 50, including iconic staples like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar The Grouch, and Big Bird. In recent years, Sesame Street has embraced diversity and inclusion by introducing characters from various cultural backgrounds and those with physical and mental abilities.

If you're curious about how Sesame Street has evolved, we've compiled a list of its most popular characters—ones you're sure to spot the next time you sit down to watch with your kids.

Elmo

Elmo isn't just the star of Sesame Street, he's the beloved little red monster adored by both kids and adults alike. At 3 ½ years old, Elmo's contagious laugh and vibrant personality shine through every episode. Curious, friendly, and optimistic, he loves playing with his best friends Zoe and Abby Cadabby, and spending time with his pet goldfish, Dorothy. Elmo's favorite hobbies include singing, dancing, reading books, and riding his tricycle.

Abby Cadabby

Abby Cadabby, one of Elmo's best friends, is a 4-year-old fairy-in-training with a vibrant imagination and playful spirit. Always eager to explore, she loves trying exotic foods and discovering plants and bugs in her garden. With her signature pink pigtails, Abby is the daughter of the Fairy Godmother and shares a close bond with Rosita on Sesame Street.

Zoe

Zoe is a vibrant yellow monster known for her love of dance and her knack for making her friends laugh with silly sounds like "Bleep Blart Bloop Blar." The three-year-old is often seen twirling in her pink tutu, reflecting her passion for ballet, or cruising in her Zoemobile alongside her pet rock, Rocco.

Big Bird

As his name suggests, Big Bird is an eight foot two-inch, tall yellow bird with a heart as big as his height. The six-and-a-half-year-old is deeply inquisitive and imaginative, often helping his community, especially his best friend, Snuffleupagus. Big Bird enjoys roller skating, dancing, singing, and writing poetry.

Snuffleupagus

Aloysius Snuffleupagus (Snuffy) is best friends with Big Bird. He lives with his family in a cave and his favorite foods are cabbage and spaghetti. Snuffy enjoys singing, dancing, and giving his friends hugs.

Fun fact: Snuffleupagus was a figment of Big Bird's imagination until 1985.

Cookie Monster, the bright blue, furry monster, is the ultimate cookie lover. While cookies are his favorite treat, he's also learned to enjoy sharing them with his friends like Elmo and Abby. When he's not indulging in his favorite snack, Cookie Monster can often be found performing his iconic "C is for Cookies" song on Sesame Street.

Baby Bear

Inspired by the classic tale of "The Three Bears," Baby Bear brings creativity and a sense of adventure to Sesame Street. He's best friends with Telly Monster and takes on the role of a caring older brother to Curly Bear. Like many children, Baby Bear sometimes struggles with sharing his toys, but is always working to be a better friend. He also has a speech impediment that makes pronouncing the letter "R" challenging.

Bert

Bert is a vibrant, yellow, banana-shaped character best known for his close friendship with Ernie. Unlike Ernie, Bert is more serious and practical. He enjoys collecting paper clips and spending time with his pet pigeon, Bernice.

Ernie

Ernie is known for his playful, free-spirited nature and his love for practical jokes, especially at the expense of his best friend, Bert. He's also fond of baths and always keeps his rubber duckie nearby.

Count Von Count

Count Von Count is a friendly vampire who enjoys counting anything and everything in sight, from bats to sheep. When he's not counting, you can often find him playing the organ.

Gabrielle

Gabrielle is a six-and-three-quarter-year-old girl who loves singing, dancing, and going on nature walks. Often seen wearing cute buns and a vibrant orange outfit, she lives with her parents and grandparents. Gabrielle enjoys making family recipes and her favorite school subjects are reading, writing, and music. She also has a grey pet bunny named Harriet.

Julia

Julia is a four-year-old girl with autism who joined the Sesame Street community in 2017. She has bright orange hair, vibrant green eyes, and sometimes wears headphones. Julia loves playing "I Spy," going on the computer, singing, dancing, and making art in a "Julia sort of way," as Abby Cadabby puts it. She also has a stuffed bunny named Fluffster, which she often carries on her adventures.

Grover

Grover is a lively and enthusiastic blue monster who loves exploring and going on new adventures. Naturally funny, he's always there for his friends when they need him most. Grover appears in many segments, including Play With Me Sesame and Spanish Word of the Day.

Gonger

Gonger is a neon pink, furry little monster who serves as the head chef in Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck. He has a passion for cooking and a vast knowledge of ingredients.

Rosita

Rosita is a light blue, five-year-old monster whose full name is Rosita la Monstrua de Las Cuevas, meaning "The Monster of the Caves." Hailing from Mexico, Rosita brings her Spanish heritage to Sesame Street, where she speaks both Spanish and English, teaching Elmo and his friends about the language and culture.

Oscar The Grouch

Oscar The Grouch is a contrarian who despises things most people enjoy, such as rainbows, chocolate, and candy. On the flip side, he loves loud noises, arguing, and collecting junk. Although he may seem grouchy all the time, Oscar shows a soft spot for his pet worm, pig, and elephant.

Rudy

Rudy is Abby Cadabby's three-year-old stepbrother, a bright orange monster with curly blue hair. His curious nature often leads him into trouble, but his friends and sister are usually quick to the rescue.

Tamir

Tamir is an eight-year-old boy who lives with his mom, dad, and older brother. As a vegetarian, he enjoys volunteering at the local garden with his mom to help grow healthy food for the community.

Tango

Tango is Elmo's energetic puppy who loves music and is always eager to learn new tricks and play.

Telly Monster

Telly Monster, named for his love for television, is a purple and orange monster who often worries about everything. He puts a conscious effort into managing his emotions.