21 Fun World Book Day Activities

World Book Day activities are a fantastic way to celebrate your child’s love of reading while making the day unforgettable.

Whether it’s dressing up as favorite book characters or diving into engaging reading challenges, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

From classic favorites to lesser-known gems, exploring the best children’s books will help spark your child’s imagination and creativity throughout the day.

These ideas will ensure that this World Book Day is a special and educational experience for your family.

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What holidays around the world celebrate books?

These fun holidays celebrate the joy of reading and are perfect for any occasion related to books. Below are some of the most popular ones in the UK and America:

• World Book Day UK: First Monday in March
• Read Across America Week: starting March 2nd (Dr. Suess’s birthday)
• Children’s Book Day: April 2nd
• World Book Day: April 23rd
• Book Lovers Day: August 9th
• Read a book day: September 7th
• Roald Dahl Day: September 13th

Celebrate World Book Day with free printables

If you’re looking for free printables to help make this celebration even more special, you’ve come to the right place!

These printables include fun, educational resources inspired by classic children’s books, providing opportunities to enhance literacy skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or book enthusiast, these free worksheets are perfect for all age groups and reading levels.

• A school library scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive way to explore books, encouraging kids to discover new titles while completing exciting challenges.
• This reading bingo free printable will turn reading into an enjoyable game, offering kids a chance to earn rewards while they read.
• The my favorite book hand out lets children reflect on their favorite stories and share them with others, sparking conversation and excitement about reading.
• Free printable bookmarks to color are a great way to combine creativity and reading, giving kids a fun activity to enjoy while they celebrate their love of books.
• Use the free printable reading log to help your child track their reading progress and set goals, making reading even more rewarding.
• Keep kids reading through the summer with the free printable summer reading log, a tool that encourages them to continue exploring new books during the break.
• The compare and contrast movie and book template helps kids develop critical thinking skills as they analyze the differences between a book and its movie adaptation.
• The 3rd grade book report template is perfect for guiding younger readers through their first book report, making it easier for them to organize their thoughts and summarize their favorite books.
• The middle school book report template gives older students the structure they need to write a detailed and organized book report, enhancing their reading comprehension and writing skills.
• The Dr Seuss crossword puzzle is an engaging way for kids to explore the world of Dr. Seuss, enhancing their vocabulary and understanding of his classic stories.

These World Book Day activities are designed to be fun and engaging, ensuring your child celebrates the day with creativity and learning.

Book unit studies

Literary unit studies are a fantastic way to immerse kids in the world of literature. By exploring the works of beloved authors through hands-on activities, children can develop a deeper appreciation for books while enhancing their reading comprehension and critical thinking.

In our home, these studies have become a go-to educational tool because they bring literature to life in such an exciting way.

They don’t just focus on reading—they dive into the heart of the stories and the authors behind them, sparking creativity and a true love for books.

Here’s why I believe these studies can really benefit children:

• Exploring the works of famous authors through research bundles allows kids to learn about the author’s life, their writing styles, and the inspiration behind their books. It’s an amazing way to give context to the stories they read.
• Coloring pages featuring children’s authors are not only fun, but they help kids visually connect with the stories and characters they’re learning about, adding a creative twist to the experience.
• A children’s authors research unit study encourages deeper exploration of an author’s life and work, helping children understand their literary legacy and the impact they’ve had on generations of readers.
• If you want to bring a little magic into your day, the Dr Seuss unit study is a must. It’s a playful way for kids to engage with Seuss’s whimsical characters and imaginative worlds, sparking a lot of curiosity and fun.
• For colorful and meaningful learning, the Eric Carle unit study lets kids connect with his vibrant illustrations and timeless stories, all while developing their creativity and love for art.
• If your child loves adventure, the Roald Dahl unit study is perfect for exploring Dahl’s fascinating characters and imaginative tales, encouraging kids to think big and embrace their own creativity.

Roald Dahl activities

Celebrate Roald Dahl Day with a whimsical mix of activities that bring the legendary author’s stories to life.

Dive into the magic of his imaginative world by organizing Roald Dahl-themed games, reading his captivating books, and exploring creative projects like coloring pages and crafts.

From solving word searches to designing bookmarks, these activities are designed to engage kids and spark their imagination.

Whether you’re exploring the quirky characters of Matilda or discovering new adventures in his other tales, Roald Dahl’s stories are sure to inspire creativity and a love for reading. Here are some exciting Roald Dahl lesson plans to get started:

• Explore the best Roald Dahl books for kids to find the perfect stories to read together.
• Get your child thinking with a Roald Dahl matching pairs game printable, combining fun with learning.
• Engage in the Matilda who am I worksheet, where kids can match quotes with characters, reinforcing their understanding of the story.
• Test your child’s knowledge with a fun Roald Dahl word search printable, a playful way to learn new vocabulary from his books.
• Bring color to his world with free Roald Dahl coloring bookmarks and let kids color in their favorite characters while reading.
• Help reinforce math skills with Roald Dahl maths worksheets, where learning is just as fun as the stories.
• Let children express their creativity with free Roald Dahl coloring pages, bringing his characters to life on paper.

Shakespeare activities

Are you looking to spark a love for Shakespeare in your child?

Teaching Shakespeare can be a rewarding experience that introduces young readers to the beauty and timelessness of his works. With the right approach, his stories become accessible, exciting, and even fun.

Start with children’s Shakespeare books, designed to introduce young minds to the enchanting world of the bard. These books break down his tales in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand, helping kids appreciate his literary genius while fueling their imagination.

For any of the book holidays, why not inspire your child with some gifts perfect for Shakespeare fans?

The best character costumes for kids & teachers

World Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading, and dressing up as a favorite book character is a fun way to get in the spirit!

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or child, there are countless costume options that will inspire a love for literature while making the day memorable.

Our guide includes a variety of book character costumes for both kids and teachers, from timeless classics to modern favorites, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

These costumes not only make the day special but also spark creativity and a deeper connection to the books and characters that bring them to life.

Here are some costume ideas that will make your celebrations stand out:

• Harry Potter Costume. Channel the magic of Hogwarts with a Harry Potter costume, perfect for both kids and adults. It’s a great way to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about reading.
• Dr. Seuss Costume. The mischievous Cat in the Hat or other whimsical characters from Dr. Seuss are fun choices that will bring a lot of laughter and joy to the day.
• Peter Pan Costume. Take flight to Neverland with a Peter Pan costume, encouraging kids to embrace their imagination and the joy of adventure found in books.
• Roald Dahl Characters. Bring some of Roald Dahl’s most beloved characters to life, like Willy Wonka, Matilda, or an Oompa Loompa. These costumes are not only fun but are also a wonderful way to introduce kids to his magical world of storytelling.
• Addams Family Wednesday Addams Costume. Perfect for those who love a touch of gothic charm, this costume allows your child to dress up as the iconic Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family books.
• Shakespeare T-shirt. For teachers or older students, a “I Could Challenge You To A Battle of Wits” Shakespeare t-shirt brings a literary touch to the occasion, celebrating the power of words and intellect.
• Butterfly Wings. For a simpler yet magical option, these wings can turn any child into a whimsical creature, ready to spread the magic of books wherever they go.

These book-themed costumes are a fun way to celebrate any book-themed holiday. They spark conversations about the characters and stories that shape our love of reading.

Last Updated on 7 April 2025 by Clare Brown