If you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s magical stories and looking for a hands-on adventure that brings them to life, the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery in Aylesbury is a must-visit. Recently, we spent a day exploring this treasure trove of creativity and imagination, and it was nothing short of gloriumptious!
Crafting Our Way into Dahl’s World
Our visit began with a fun and creative workshop where we made our very own bags inspired by our favourite Roald Dahl books. From Matilda’s library to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, everyone picked a different theme and decorated their bags with colours, drawings, and characters. It was the perfect way to start our journey into Dahl’s magical universe!
Exploring the Gallery
With our bags in hand, we stepped into the gallery, and it truly felt like entering the pages of a book. Each room was themed around a Roald Dahl story and packed with exciting, interactive displays:
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Fantastic Mr. Fox Tunnel: Crawling through this tunnel was an adventure in itself, just like Mr. Fox sneaking through his underground world.
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James and the Giant Peach: We climbed into a giant peach and explored its surreal, oversized interior—great for children (and adults!) who love a bit of fantasy.
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Victorian Toys and Dress-Up: In another room, we explored what life was like during Victorian times. From spinning tops to stilts, the toys were so different from today’s gadgets—and just as fun!
Exploring Illusions and Early Animation
The gallery also dove into the magic behind storytelling on screen:
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Illusion Room: We discovered how early film animations were created—using flip books, zoetropes, and clever visual tricks.
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Shadow Room & Puppets: Using shadow puppets, green screens, and mirrors, we created scenes and effects just like filmmakers do. It was a fascinating look at how storytelling has evolved from page to screen.
The Grand Finale – The Great Glass Elevator
To end the day with a true Dahl flourish, we took a ride down the Great Glass Elevator, inspired by Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. A thrilling ride and a perfect way to say goodbye to such a wonderful place.
Be sure to look on Seesaw for the class photos!
3 Things You Can Do at Home to Keep the Magic Going:
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Create Your Own Character Costume
Choose your favourite Roald Dahl character and design a costume using things you already have at home. Don’t forget to act out a scene from the story! -
Make a Flip Book Animation
Grab a small notebook and draw a simple animation—like a ball bouncing or a bird flying—by changing the drawing slightly on each page. Flip through quickly to see it come to life! -
Write a New Adventure for a Dahl Character
What would happen if Matilda met the BFG? Or if James found a new magical fruit? Write a short story where characters from different Dahl books go on a new adventure together.