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25 Roald Dahl Day Activities for Kids to Celebrate September 13

Roald Dahl Day activities have become a yearly tradition in our house, usually a mix of books, crafts, and printables that celebrate his wonderfully weird stories.

September 13th is the perfect excuse to dive back into our favorites like Matilda and The BFG, and we always try to add something new each year.

Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, homeschooling, or just want to make the day a bit more special, I’ve gathered a big list of Roald Dahl activities that are fun, easy, and mostly free.

Collage of Roald Dahl Day printables and games for kids, including bookmarks, word search, mask, and character cards.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Fun Roald Dahl Day Facts for Kids

Before jumping into the Roald Dahl Day activities, here are a few quick facts that could spark a fun writing prompt or trivia quiz:

  • He invented over 500 new words.
  • Most of his books were written in a small garden shed.
  • He once worked as a spy for MI6.
  • His granddaughter Sophie inspired The BFG.

Ready to bring some of that creativity into your day? Let’s get into the activities.

The Big Friendly Giant
Illustration based on the book The Big Friendly Giant (BFG) by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl Activities

From quick printables to hands-on projects, these activities are easy to set up and bring his stories to life in creative, engaging ways.

Roald Dahl Bookmarks to Color
We printed these out last year and they made great little keepsakes. My son colored the Matilda one and actually used it for weeks, rare for him!
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roald dahl word search
Roald Dahl Word Search
This puzzle was an easy win when we needed a quiet activity that still felt connected to what we were reading. It’s quick to prep and surprisingly calming.
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roald dahl math worksheets
Roald Dahl Math Worksheets
I used these with younger kids during a co-op session—they were a fun way to mix math practice with characters they already loved.
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roald dahl author unit study
Roald Dahl Author Study
We did this unit over a couple of afternoons and it worked well to tie his books to real-life history and biography. Nice mix of learning styles, too.
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Roald Dahl Guess Who Printable Template
Roald Dahl Guess Who Printable Template
This one was a hit, especially with my son and his friends. We printed it on cardstock and they actually played multiple rounds (which almost never happens).
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Charlie and the chocolate factory printable
Free Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Worksheet
We used this after rereading the book, and it was a great way to talk through the characters and what made each one so different (and ridiculous!)
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Roald Dahl Memory Game Printable
This was our go-to during a rainy afternoon. It kept things light and silly, and it’s simple enough that even younger kids can join in without help.
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free matilda coloring page
Free Matilda Worksheet | Coloring & Matching Fun
Perfect for a quiet start to the day, especially after reading a chapter or two. The matching part gave it just enough of a challenge to keep my son interested.
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free roald dahl colouring sheets
Roald Dahl Coloring Pages
These were fun to pair with audiobooks. We'd play a chapter and color while listening, low prep, but still felt like a meaningful way to engage with the stories.
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ROALD DAHL GAMES FOR KIDS
15 Best Roald Dahl Games for Kids
We haven’t tried all of these yet, but the Guess Who and memory games were favorites. It's nice to have a mix of active and quiet options in one place.
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The best Roald Dahl books every child should read
Best Roald Dahl Books for Kids
These were the first books that really made my son laugh out loud. We still have his original, slightly tattered copy of The Twits, it's been well loved.
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Fantastic Mr Fox Mask
Fantastic Mr Fox Mask
We made this with recycled cereal boxes, and it turned out surprisingly sturdy. It was a fun hands-on craft that led to a full afternoon of pretending to sneak chickens.
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Roald Dahl Lesson Plans
I’ve pulled from this collection a few times when we needed something structured but still fun. Great to mix and match depending on the book you’re reading.
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Matilda Word Search
Matilda Word Search
If your little ones are excited to dive into Matilda Wormwood’s magical world, this “Matilda” Word Search is perfect! With this resource, you can introduce young learners to keywords and characters with a fun and engaging activity. Completed with lots of color and some of Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations, this is the perfect starter activity, whether your little ones are beginning the school day or a new lesson.
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BFG Dream Jars
We added glitter, glow stars, and even a few written “dreams.” It was messy but magical, and the finished jars stayed on his bookshelf for weeks.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Novel Study
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Novel Study
We used this pack as part of a mini literature unit, and it helped organize our thoughts as we read. The graphic organizers were especially helpful.
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Roald Dahl Classes on Outschool
We tried a Matilda class through Outschool, and the discussion was surprisingly engaging. It's a nice option if you want some structured group learning around the books.
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The Witches | Summary, Characters & Analysis
The Witches | Summary, Characters & Analysis
We looked at this as part of a deeper dive after reading The Witches. It’s a good resource for older kids who want to explore themes and characters in more depth.
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Matilda Jigsaw Puzzle
Matilda Jigsaw Puzzle
We worked on this one over a weekend, just a little at a time. It was a nice way to slow down and chat about favorite scenes from the book while we puzzled.
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James and the Giant Peach Coloring Sheets
James and the Giant Peach Coloring Sheets
We printed these after finishing the book, and they turned into a relaxing wind-down activity. The artwork is great, especially if your kids like Quentin Blake’s style.
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Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes
We made the Bruce Bogtrotter cake and it was as messy and rich as you’d expect. A fun (and sticky) way to connect with the books through food.
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Plot Mountain Worksheet
Plot Mountain Worksheet
This worksheet helped my son understand story structure without it feeling too formal. We filled it out together while talking through each major scene.
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Inside the Chocolate Factory Puzzle
This one’s definitely a challenge, but the detail is amazing. Best saved for older kids or something the whole family can work on together.
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Roald Dahl Collection 16 Books Box Set
This set is what we started with when we really got into his stories. It’s a great way to always have a new one ready when you finish a favorite.
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Roald Dahl BFG Costume
We grabbed this for a last-minute dress-up day, and it was much easier than trying to make something from scratch. My son liked the big ears most.
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These can also be enjoyed for your World Book Day activities, especially if you’re looking to highlight fun, engaging stories that kids already love.

Last Updated on 8 July 2025 by Clare Brown

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