13 Phizz-Wizzing Ways to Celebrate Roald Dahl Day
Celebrate Roald Dahl's birthday on September 13th with these fantabulous crafts, recipes, and DIY projects.
One of the most celebrated human beans in all of literature, Roald Dahl would have turned 99 on September 13th of this year. If you grew up growing snozzcumbers and guzzling gobstoppers (or wishing you did), this weekend is prime time to celebrate the wonderful stories he brought to life. Whether you enjoy the day by throwing a fantastic (Mr.) fox party, visiting the Roald Dahl museum or nature trail, or just cuddling up with a whoopsy-wiffling read, here are our favourite ideas from around the web to ring in the day with scrumdiddlyumptious spirit.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Play Dough
From 'mint fizzwangler' to 'golden poppernickel', here are six variations on play dough, courtesy of The Imagination Tree's Anna, perfect for little hands who are big fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Add gems, glitter, even snozzberries—or hema beads, pom-poms, and popsicle sticks for a creation that would earn the admiration of Mr. Wonka himself.
Crocodile and Fox Bead and Paper Crafts
Crikey! The makers at Activity Village have come up with over a dozen simple crafts to make to celebrate two of Dahl's most beloved books, The Enormous Crocodile and Fantastic Mr. Fox. From finger puppets to bookmarks, these small projects are great for a relaxed crafting session (perfect for in between your visits to Wonka's chocolate waterfall, of course).
Mr. Fox Mask with a Secret Ingredient
Take a look at this fox mask and see if it doesn't get you in the spirit for Roald Dahl Day. What's the secret ingredient, you ask? You'll never guess—this mask is cut out from a cereal box. The perfect accessory for would-be burrowers in the wood on the hill. Fantastic!
A Fox (and Cat) Birthday Party
If you're all dressed up with your fantastic fox mask and have nowhere to go, throw your own fox party and be the star of it. Sadhbh from Where Wishes Come From, whose twins requested a fox-and-cat themed birthday party last year, will show you how to put on a swishwiffingly scrummy fox-themed party complete with homemade bunting and cake toppers, a buffet of fox-friendly sweets, and a make your own fox-ears station.
15 More Crafts for Roald Dahl
Jenny's roundup of Dahl-inspired crafts includes activities for the BFG, Matilda, and George's Marvellous Medicine. Our favourite craft, though, is the gloriumptiously real lickable wallpaper. To move the party outside, consider re-creating their George's Marvellous Medicine mud kitchen activity.
Roald Dahl Day Lunches
To turn your ordinary lunchbox into a delumptious Dahl-riffic affair, look no further than Eats Amazing for a pair of inspiring bento boxes that celebrate The Magic Finger and The Twits. It's a special day when you open your lunchbox and find a yummy Mr. Twit orange inside.
Nish Nobblers and more: Exploring Roald Dahl's Completely Revolting Recipes
If you've ever wanted to try a nish nobbler from Dahl's The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me, Emma's guide to baking them is a mustn't-miss. On her blog, Cakes, Bakes, and Cookies, she and her family also provide a wonderful review of Roald Dahl's Completely Revolting Recipes, an actual cookbook full of your favourites: Bruce Bogtrotter's cake, crispy wasp stings on buttered toast, and, best of all, hornets stewed in tar. Mmm... delicious!
Whipple-scrumptious Food on Pinterest
This Pinterest board is jam-packed with dozens of ideas for Wonka-inspired edibles from frobscottle to Matilda sandwiches. The hashbrown beard of Mr. Twit is a savoury hit; perhaps wash it down with a fresh, cool glass of drinkable rainbow?
25 Fun Ways to Celebrate Roald Dahl Day
Diary of a First Child has a brilliant list of ideas for celebrating Dahl's birthday. There's a comprehensive list of what you can watch, eat, make, and do, including a Roald Dahl resources pack, story characters to colour, a Pinterest board of ideas, and a 'recipe' for wooden sweets from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Visiting the Roal Dahl Museum and Story Centre
Louise of Little Hearts, Big Love provides a comprehensive review of her family's trip to the Roald Dahl museum. Highlights include taking a seat in Dahl's own writing chair, finding out if one is (or is not) as tall as an Oompa Loompa, and spying the original inspirations for Matilda's library and Danny, the Champion of the World's filling station.
A Wangle-Buzzing Free-From Chocolate Cake
No trip to the Dahl museum is complete without a visit to Cafe Twit, but if you're a bit far from Great Missenden, where the museum is located, bake your own splendiferous creation. This recipe for chocolate cake with individually decorated portions is a real Wangle-buzzer. Best of all, this recipe from Mel at Le Coin de Mel, is free from eggs, wheat, and nuts; everyone can enjoy a slice, even the Vermicious Knid.
Roald Dahl's Countryside Trail
Cassie's family visited this nature trail, which wanders through the Angling Spring Wood, purported to be the original inspiration for Mr. Fox's wood in Fantastic Mr. Fox. Walk through fields and orchards to a lovely viewpoint—in Cassie's own words, "a lovely family day out".
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych, London
This fizz-whizzing afternoon affair at One Aldwych coincides with the musical run of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the West End. Emily's lovely review takes the reader through the many delights and surprises of the entire event; the menu has since been updated for 2015, but prepare to dine upon homemade candy floss, Veruca Salt's golden egg, and a miniature milkshake served up for the young at heart with a whimsical stripy straw.
- After your long day of creating, feasting, and exploring, snuggle up with one of Dahl's marvelous stories. Blogger Jennie shows you her inspiring autumn book nook here.
