Roald Dahl: Educational Resources and Activities

We have read, and enjoyed nearly all of Roald Dahl’s children’s books. Originally, we were borrowing them from the library, but since the boys loved them so much, we have been slowly purchasing them, many second hand. Our boys have now read these books multiple times and we have enjoyed incorporating some Roald Dahl Educational Resources and Activities into our homeschool. 

About Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of the most famous children’s writer, publishing many children’s books, including poetry ones. He also wrote many adult books. We have read nearly all of the children’s books as well as a couple of the non-fiction books. Many of his books have also have great success on the big screen as well, the BFG one of the latest ones. As part of our studies, we have watched many of the dads after reading the books.

Roald Dahl was born in Wales to Norwegian parents. His father died when he was 3. Born in 1916, his birthday, the 13th September is now celebrated as Roald Dahl Day. As a young adult, he served in World Was II as a skilled fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. You can read about his in his book, Boy: Tales of Childhood and Going Solo.

In 1943, he wrote his first children’s book called The Gremlins. It was intended to be made into an animated film, but this did not happen. Dahl then turned to writing adult fiction, not writing another children’s story until the 1960s.

Roald Dahl Educational Resources and Activities

Lesson Plans and Printable

roalddahl.com contains many lesson plans for his children’s books plus loads of other Roald Dahl information.

This James and the Giant Peach Unit contains loads of activities and ideas.

Have fun partying with this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Unit.

Teachwire has some great resources for many of Roald Dahl’s books. You will need to signup, but it is free.

This Sweet Life has a great Roald Dahl Unit and free printable.

This is a great literature study that goes with Dahl’s,  The Witches book.

The Enormous Crocodile is a great book for the young children. This printable pack contains lots of fun activities and worksheets for kids in preschool and kindergarten.

TeacherVision has a lot of Roald Dahl resources. They do have a free 7-day trial, then a small monthly fee.

TES has a load of activities including comprehension and math, but you will need to sign up for an account.

Here is a fun, downloadable party pack for you to enjoy this Roald Dahl day.

Oxford have created an Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary that contains all the words that Roald Dahl invented, like biffsquiggled and whizzpopping.

There are lots of insects in James and the Giant Peach. Learn more about them with these Bug Printable Packs. This Insect Printable Pack is great for young children.

Hands-On Activities

Bake a recipe from Roald Dahl’s Completely revolting recipes and other tasty treats

Make your own Bruce Bogtrotter’s Cake from Dahl’s book, Matilda. There are also many other resources at Roald Dahl Fans.

Frobscottle is a drink that is talked about in The BFG. Try this recipe from Just Jenn Recipes. 

These gorgeous dreamcatchers will go well with The BFG.

This is a fun George’s Marvellous Medicine Mud Activity from The Gingerbread House.

This Lickable Wallpaper from Meri Cherry will go well with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Another Charlie and the Chocolate Factory activity is this Chocolate-Inspired Playdough from Treading on Lego.

Scholastic has some fun Character Cubes and a Concertina Crocodile.

There are sweets of many shapes and sizes in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Try growing huge gummy bears with this fun experiment.

This Skittle Density Experiment is another fun one. What other sweets do you think this will work with?

This Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory playdough from The Imagination Tree will be loved by all kids!

In The Twits book, Mr Twit has bits of food clinging to his beard, but what happens when this food rots? Find out in this rotting apple experiment.

These Roald Dahl Themed Fine Motor Skill Activity Ideas from Science Sparks are great for the younger children.