Roald Dahl Day (Roald Dahl birthday) is a great time to introduce kids to Roald Dahl The Witches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lessons, Roald Dahl The BFG and more! If you’re looking for a fun theme lesson, look no further than the works of author Roald Dahl crafts, lessons, art activities and more!
Even if you don’t recognize the name Roald Dahl, you are probably familiar with his work!
He’s the author of some of the best children’s books published.
Roald Dahl books include titles like Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, and—my personal favorite—Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
(See? I told you that you would recognize some of Roald Dahl’s books!)
Is there a day dedicated to Roald Dahl?
There is a day dedicated to Roald Dahl each year. September 13 is the children’s book author’s birthday and is now known as Roald Dahl Day. It received the designation in 2006 and is celebrated around the world.
Roald Dahl Biography
When Roald Dahl Was Born…
Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916, in South Wales, United Kingdom.
His first name is pronounced like Roo-All, and his last name is pronounced like Doll.
Roo-All Doll.
Dahl was a British author who has sold more than 250 million copies of his 19 books over time!
But, Dahl actually began his writing career with short stories. It wasn’t until much later that he became Roald Dahl children ‘s book author.
Dahl told his children nightly bedtime stories that inspired his future career as a children’s writer.
These stories became the basis for some of his most popular kids’ books, as his children proved an informative test audience.
‘Children are … highly critical. And they lose interest so quickly,’ he asserted in his New York Times book review interview.
‘You have to keep things ticking along. And if you think a child is getting bored, you must think up something that jolts it back. Something that tickles. You have to know what children like.’
Later, Dahl wrote about his childhood in the his biography, Boy: Tales of Childhood.
When did Roald Dahl die?
Roald Dahl died on November 23, 1990, from an infection. He was 74 years old.
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More Roald Dahl Interesting Facts
Roald Dahl:
• Was a World War II Fighter Pilot.
• Didn’t write children’s books until after he had his own kids, but there were many Roald Dahl stories before then!
• Wrote the screenplay for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
.
• Created all of his children’s books in a small shed in his garden.
Roald Dahl Day
September 13th is Roald Dahl’s birthday and is celebrated around the world as Roald Dahl Day.
(Just look on social media for #RoaldDahlDay.)
With great list of Roald Dahl children books, how can you not include this celebratory day in your lessons?
However, Roald Dahl books are so fantastic that you don’t need to wait for one specific day to celebrate the author and his books (although that day is really fun, too)! Add these to your list for year ’round learning!
Roald Dahl Books, Activities, and Lessons
To celebrate Roald Dahl Day or to create fun unit lessons centered around the author’s books and work, here are some great activities to incorporate into your learning:
1. Get a Roald Dahl Day Party Pack
Download the FREE Roald Dahl Day Party pack to get some great ideas for your party including invitations for your party, a party hat craft, Mr Twit’s beard craft, games, quizzes, and more!
2. Do Roald Dahl Lesson Plans
There are a variety of FREE Dahl book lesson plans where you can “teach the story.”
There are lesson plans and activity ideas for author Roald Dahl books:
- Matilda Lesson Plans
- James and the Giant Peach Lesson Plans
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Lesson Plans
- The Twits Lesson Plans
- Fantastic Mr. Fox Lesson Plans
- Boy Lesson Plans
- BFG Lesson Plans
Read, Roald Dahl poems and learn with Roald Dahl short stories!
Try Roald Dahl Revolting Rhymes:
Also Try: Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts Lesson Plans
3. Take a virtual tour to the Roald Dahl museum.
There is a Roald Dahl museum in Great Missenden, UK (or, Roald Dahl’s “stomping ground”).
You can take a virtual tour of the museum, learn about the galleries and Roald Dahl art, and even see the village and countryside.
4. Play Roald Dahl Online Games for Kids
Did you know that there is a free “Twit or Miss” game app and free Roald audio books?
These are great additions to your Dahl Day party or lessons.
5. Listen to Roald Dahl Audio Books
Listen to chapters from Roald Dahl books on SoundCloud for free.
6. Create Some Revolting Recipes
Make some Revolting Recipes
inspired by the author’s books!
Start with these:
• Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight
7. Make Crafts Inspired By The Roald Dahl Kids Books
• Create Miss Trunchbull’s newt (from Matilda)
• Color an Inventor door hanger
• Make some twisting Dahl characters
• Make a Fantastic Mr. Fox (Origami)
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8. Host a Roald Dahl Movie & Costume Party
Celebrate by having a Roald Dahl book character costume party and movie viewing with your friends!
See more Roald Dahl character costumes HERE.
9. Read Roald Dahl Books
Most of the Roald Dahl books reading level fall into ages 8-12 years or grades 3-7.
Start with this Roald Dahl books list:
Roald Dahl The BFG
Roald Dahl James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl The Twits
Roald Dahl Danny The Champion of the World
Roald Dahl Georges Marvelous Medicine
Roald Dahl Fantastic Mr. Fox
10. Watch Roald Dahl Movies
Reading Roald Dahl books and then watching movies are great for compare and contrast activities!
*Not a Roald Dahl book, but he wrote the screenplay for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Roald Dahl Gremlins
*Not actually a Roald Dahl movie, but loosely based on a 1943 children’s novel of the same name written by Roald Dahl. This movie may be a little scary for younger kids.
What Roald Dahl Day activities will you add to your learning?
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