8 Roald Dahl Day Activities for Kids: Fun Storytelling, Drama and Creative Ideas

Every year on 13th September, families, schools and libraries celebrate Roald Dahl Day, honouring one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors and his unforgettable stories, including Matilda, The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, James and the Giant Peach and The Twits.

Roald Dahl’s stories have inspired generations of children to read, imagine, perform and create. His unforgettable characters encourage bravery, kindness, curiosity and plenty of mischief!

Whether your child dreams of acting on stage, writing their own stories or simply loves getting lost in a good book, Roald Dahl Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate creativity.

Better still, if Roald Dahl inspires your child to try something new, Club Hub UK can help you discover local drama classes, theatre schools, storytelling groups, creative writing clubs and performing arts activities across the UK.

In This Article

1. Dress Up as Your Favourite Storybook Character
2. Create Your Own Story
3. Put on a Mini Theatre Show
4. Play Fun Storytelling Games
5. Make Creative Crafts Inspired by Favourite Stories
6. Visit Your Local Library or Bookshop
7. Join a Drama, Theatre or Storytelling Class
8. Find Drama, Storytelling and Creative Classes Near You

Why Storytelling Is So Important for Children

Stories help children understand the world around them while encouraging imagination and creativity.

Storytelling also helps children:

• Improve vocabulary
• Build confidence
• Develop communication skills
• Encourage empathy
• Strengthen listening skills
• Improve concentration
• Spark creativity
• Develop emotional intelligence
• Inspire a lifelong love of reading
• Encourage imaginative play

Whether reading together at bedtime or acting out favourite stories, storytelling helps children become confident communicators.

1. Dress Up as Your Favourite Storybook Character

Children love becoming their favourite characters.

Why not dress up as:

• Matilda
• Willy Wonka
• The BFG
• Sophie
• Fantastic Mr Fox
• Mr Fox
• The Enormous Crocodile
• The Twits
• James
• An Oompa Loompa
• Danny
• George

Encourage children to explain who their character is and act out scenes from the story.

2. Create Your Own Story

Roald Dahl inspired millions of children to become storytellers themselves.

Help your child write their own adventure by thinking about:

• A magical character
• A mysterious invention
• A talking animal
• A giant adventure
• A secret doorway
• A magical sweet shop
• A mysterious forest
• A funny villain
• A brave hero
• A surprising ending

Children can illustrate their stories or turn them into homemade books to share with family and friends.

3. Put on a Mini Theatre Show

Drama is a brilliant way to build confidence while encouraging creativity.

Children could:

• Act out a favourite story.
• Create a puppet show.
• Perform a short play.
• Make simple costumes.
• Design theatre tickets.
• Build a stage using cardboard boxes.
• Create props from recycled materials.
• Perform for grandparents or neighbours.

Many children discover a love of performing through imaginative play before joining drama or theatre classes.

4. Fun Storytelling Games

Bring stories to life with these simple games:

• Story dice
• Pass the story
• Character charades
• Guess the book
• Finish the sentence
• Create a new ending
• Story treasure hunt
• Describe the character
• Act out emotions
• Sound effect challenge

These games encourage quick thinking, creativity and lots of laughter.

5. Creative Crafts Inspired by Favourite Stories

After reading together, continue the fun with crafts.

Ideas include:

• Design a new book cover.
• Create a bookmark.
• Make a storytelling puppet.
• Build a giant peach from paper.
• Decorate a chocolate bar wrapper.
• Create dream jars.
• Design magical sweets.
• Paint your favourite character.
• Build a miniature theatre.
• Make a reading corner sign.

Craft activities help children connect with stories while developing fine motor skills.

6. Visit Your Local Library or Bookshop

Roald Dahl Day is the perfect excuse to explore even more books.

Why not:

• Borrow a new story.
• Join the library reading challenge.
• Attend a storytelling session.
• Visit an author event.
• Read together in a cosy corner.
• Swap books with friends.
• Start a family book club.

Libraries often hold special storytelling events during September, making them a fantastic family day out.

7. Join a Drama, Theatre or Storytelling Class

If your child enjoys acting, performing or storytelling, September is a fantastic time to join a new class.

Popular options include:

• Drama schools
• Performing arts academies
• Musical theatre classes
• Creative writing clubs
• Storytelling workshops
• Public speaking clubs
• Dance schools
• Singing lessons
• Acting workshops
• Confidence-building classes

These activities help children develop communication skills, creativity and self-confidence while making new friends.

8. Find Drama, Storytelling and Creative Classes Near You

Has Roald Dahl Day inspired your child to become the next great storyteller?

Club Hub UK helps parents discover thousands of children’s activities across the UK, including:

• Drama classes
• Musical theatre
• Storytelling groups
• Creative writing clubs
• Dance schools
• Singing lessons
• Acting workshops
• Baby and toddler classes
• Holiday clubs
• Sports clubs
• Art classes
• Family events

Simply search by your location, your child’s age and the type of activity you’re looking for to discover exciting opportunities near you.

Why Drama Classes Benefit Children

Drama offers far more than learning lines.

Regular drama classes help children:

• Speak confidently
• Improve teamwork
• Build resilience
• Develop creativity
• Improve memory
• Express emotions
• Develop leadership skills
• Make new friends
• Improve presentation skills
• Grow in confidence

Many successful performers, presenters and public speakers first discovered their confidence through children’s drama classes.

Inspire a Lifelong Love of Stories

Roald Dahl believed that stories could inspire children to dream bigger, think differently and believe in themselves.

Whether your child loves reading, writing, acting or simply using their imagination, celebrating Roald Dahl Day is a wonderful way to nurture creativity.

And if they’re ready to take the next step, why not discover a local drama class, storytelling workshop or performing arts club through Club Hub UK? You never know where their imagination might take them.