Every year on September 13th, families everywhere celebrate Roald Dahl Day. It’s the perfect excuse to dive into the whiz-popping worlds of one of the greatest children’s authors of all time. Dahl’s books have been making kids laugh, gasp, and fall in love with reading for generations—and they’re still just as magical today.

With his mischievous humour, unforgettable characters, and sneaky life lessons tucked between the pages, Roald Dahl’s stories are the kind you’ll want to share out loud. So, how can you celebrate Roald Dahl Day at home and spark that same lifelong love of books in your child? Let’s take a look.

The Magic of Roald Dahl Stories

Dahl had a gift for making reading irresistible. His stories transport children into worlds where anything can happen—and usually does:

  • Adventures galore: From golden tickets to giant peaches, you never quite know where the next page will take you.
  • Playful wordplay: Think of the gloriumptious gobblefunk in The BFG—words so silly kids can’t help but join in.
  • Big-hearted morals: Beneath the chaos, Dahl’s tales are about bravery, kindness, and standing up for what’s right.

Want more brilliant book ideas for your child? Have a peek at our book bands page to find the right fit for their reading level.

Fun Ways to Celebrate Roald Dahl Day

You don’t need a chocolate factory or a giant peach to make the day special—just a dash of imagination. Here are some ideas:

Build a Roald Dahl Reading Nook

Turn a quiet corner into a cosy hideaway:

  • Pile up cushions, fairy lights, and maybe even a dream jar or two.
  • Fill a shelf with Roald Dahl favourites (plus other adventure stories to keep the magic flowing).
  • Add a prop or two—a golden ticket tucked into a book makes a great surprise!

Craft Story Props Together

Get creative and bring the books off the page:

  • Make a Fantastic Mr. Fox mask for a quick bit of dress-up.
  • Create your own glowing dream jars (fairy lights in a jam jar work wonders).
  • Design “Matilda’s magic notebook” for your child to write their own stories.

Storytelling with a Twist

Roald Dahl’s books were made to be read aloud:

  • Try out silly voices for each character (kids will never let you stop).
  • Ask your child to retell their favourite scene in their own words.
  • Have a mini book club chat—what did they learn from the story?

Write Your Own Dahl-Inspired Tale

Give your child the chance to be the author:

  • Ask them to give a classic Dahl story a twist (what if Willy Wonka ran a zoo?).
  • Offer fun prompts—“What’s inside the world’s strangest chocolate bar?”
  • Encourage them to draw illustrations and share their story at family storytime.

Keeping the Magic Alive

Roald Dahl Day might only come once a year, but you can carry the magic into everyday reading. Try this:

  • Make reading a daily habit: Even 10 minutes together makes a difference.
  • Link stories to real life: Talk about the choices characters make and how they’d handle it.
  • Keep exploring: Once they finish one Dahl book, guide them to other brilliant adventures.

Need help picking what’s next? Our tips on choosing books page has you covered.

Wrapping Up

Roald Dahl Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a brilliant reminder of how joyful reading can be. Whether you’re building dream jars, telling stories with silly voices, or simply snuggling up with a book, it’s all about making reading magical.

And why stop at just one day? Find out more about Reading Chest and keep that spark alive all year round.

The more books your child has access to, the more chances they get to fall in love with reading. That’s where Reading Chest comes in. We send you carefully levelled books by post—so there’s always something new to dive into.