Maltese children were today given an incredible surprise when two of the most popular cartoon characters on television visited them with gifts and goodie bags.

SpongeBob SquarePants and Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spent some time in Mater Dei today as a special surprise for children recovering from an ailment. The visit came the day before a massive nation-wide Nickelodeon Festival launches, with SpongeBob’s famous pineapple home fully on display in Valletta.

“The children were so surprised and really happy to see some of their favourite characters in real life,” one person on the scene told Lovin Malta. “The children were further made happy with the goodie bags each character was handing out.”

The first Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt in the world is just about to open… and it’s going to be right here on our very own island

The unique event, which officially kicks off on Saturday and runs till next Wednesday, will feature “world class events not just for youths but events for children and all families”.

Activities will include searching for SpongeBob SquarePants and friends at the National Aquarium, learning through play with the PAW Patrol pups at the Esplora Science Centre, learning to duel with Nella the Princess Knight at the 16th-century St James Cavalier, and joining the pizza-loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Is-Suq Tal-Belt food market.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]