Roald Dahl Story Day 2024
The first Roald Dahl Day was held on September 13th 2006, which would have been Roald Dahl’s 90th birthday. From a small beginning the event has now grown into an annual event held every 13th September as a celebration of the work, life and multi-faceted legacy of one of the world’s best-loved storytellers.
Since 2020 it has been celebrated as Roald Dahl Story Day celebrating your favourite Roald Dahl characters, stories and moments with fans the world over.
Events take place up and down the UK in schools, libraries and particularly in the village of Great Missenden, where Dahl lived and worked for many years.
The aim of the day is to, get kids reading, to see if you can also do something marvellous to raise some money for Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity at the same time. The charity provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children living with complex, lifelong conditions.
How to Celebrate Roald Dahl Story Day 2024
On September 13th – Roald Dahl’s birthday - schools, libraries, bookshops and community groups across the world will join in the biggest ever celebration of Roald Dahl Day.
- There is a big choice of teacher's resources to use, including topics on Matilda, The BFG, The Twits and the Enormous Crocodile.
- Have a go at our free printable Roald Dahl wordsearch and anagrams.
- Have a Roald Dahl Dress-Up Day. Dress up as your favourite character from one of the books - Willy Wonka, a Twit, James, Matilda or even the BFG! Here are some easy Roald Dahl character costume ideas.
10 More Ideas For Celebrating Roald Dahl Story Day
- Wear something yellow – it was Roald's favourite colour!
- Wear one or more items of clothing backwards.
- Drop "gobblefunk" into your conversations (Gobblefunk was the unique language created by Roald and most commonly used by the BFG).
- Swap a Roald Dahl book with a friend.
- Talk backwards.
- Tell a silly joke – Roald loved swapping these with his kids.
- Play an "unexpected" prank.
- Give someone a treat – Roald was a great believer in treats, whether it was a bar of chocolate or a lovely surprise.
- Write your own revolting rhyme.
- Make up an Oompa Loompa dance and get all your friends to join in!
Like Dahl's book-loving character Matilda, you can visit your local library to find Roald Dahl's books. You can also buy them at all good bookshops.
About the Author: Alex Freeman is a freelance writer specialising in parenting and family topics and can be contacted via eParenting.