Did you know that February 28 is National Tooth Fairy Day? I'll admit I just found out about this holiday, but the tradition of children's teeth being left in exchange for a small treasure or money goes back hundreds of years—originally it was a Tooth Mouse who would sneak in and take teeth, and over time this story has evolved to the modern day tooth fairy.
We asked on our Facebook page and found out that not every tooth fairy visit always goes as planned. Here are a few tooth fairy goofs:
- Christine P.: "Sadly the tooth fairy has come two days late to our house . . . thank goodness weather was on my side because my daughter understood that she can't fly in the rain . . . it's just not safe!"
- Cristina F.: "She missed our house once too! Daughter lost tooth at 8 pm, but it was 'explained' that Tooth Fairy only checks her 'records' until 7 pm. Therefore, Tooth Fairy visited the following night, and my daughter was the first visit on her list."
- Robin B.: "I told my daughter I forgot to pay her for her services and she'd show up the following night."
- Joyce B.: "My son lost his tooth at his grandparents, and we forgot to bring it home with him. He was very concerned that the tooth fairy would take it from their house. We had to explain that she only gets the tooth from under the pillow of the child that lost his tooth."
- Patricia H.: "When my daughter lost her first tooth, I put it in a little zip-lock bag under the pillow so it wouldn't get lost for the tooth fairy. I planned to take the bag and put a dollar there once she fell asleep. The next morning while brushing her teeth my daughter said, 'I can't wait to see how much the tooth fairy left!' I completely forgot to switch the tooth for money, so I did so while she was brushing. and she never knew…close one 🙂"
Tooth Fairy Books
For some loose tooth reading on Tooth Fairy Day, two great selections are:
Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011)
This charming book, part of the Bear series, looks at what happens when "Bear feels something wiggling and wobbling in his mouth" and realizes it's his first loose tooth. Ages 3+.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Selby Beeler (Sandpiper, 2001)
This wonderful book looks at various traditions around the world, many of which don't even include a tooth fairy! Ages 4+.
Tooth Fairy Song
Or, why not celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day by singing a song:
Recess Monkey has Dr. Wiggle with the lyrics a "tooth hanging by a thread, and it's almost time for bed . . ."
And last, check out Yo Gabba Gabba's video, the Tooth Fairy Waltz (played hysterically by Amy Sedaris).
For more fun books, videos and ideas for celebrating National Tooth Fairy Day, check out our Tooth Fairy Pinterest Board.
Share your tooth fairy goofs (or other fun tooth fairy stories) below! We'd love to hear them!