Let’s Learn About the Tooth Fairy
Take learning about the Tooth Fairy to the next level with these fun and helpful facts and tips. We have a free activity to try, too!
Background about the Tooth Fairy
Brush up on your Tooth Fairy knowledge and celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28th.
The origins of the Tooth Fairy were weaved together by blending folklore, traditions, and modern storytelling.
The gist of her origins is as follows.
Early Tooth Fairy Traditions
Early civilizations had many different traditions when it came to losing baby teeth.
Some would bury, burn, or throw away baby teeth to help protect children from harmful forces (like witches who were believed to use baby teeth to control people).
Others believed baby teeth could bring good luck and prevent kids from having a hard life.
Vikings paid children for their lost teeth so they could be made into amulets or charms to bring good luck in battle.
The “Tooth Mouse” Tradition
Many Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Peru, Spain, Mexico, etc.) have “el Raton de los Dientes,” the Tooth Mouse, that leaves a gift or money after collecting the baby tooth.
Mice symbolize strength because they have teeth that never stop growing and are quite strong.
The Tooth Mouse is derived from 17th-century French fairy tales that then became popular in Spain.
Modern Tooth Fairy (20th Century)
The Tooth Fairy, as we know it today, was made popular in the early 20th century.
This magical fairy that trades money for lost baby teeth was brought to life around 1927 and became widely known (and practiced) after World War II when consumerism started to gain traction.
Tooth Fairy Today
Places far and wide celebrate (in their own ways) the Tooth Fairy.
Many parents customize the tradition by adding fairy dust (glitter), notes, or personalized gifts.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Common Questions about the Tooth Fairy (and How to Reassure Them)
“Why does the Tooth Fairy leave money?”
The Tooth Fairy leaves money in exchange for baby teeth to say thank you and good job taking care of your teeth! She loves celebrating this milestone of kids growing up.
“How does the Tooth Fairy know I lost a tooth?”
Part of being a fairy is having special fairy magic. The Tooth Fairy has fairy magic that tells her when you lost a tooth.
“What does she do with my teeth?”
Your pearly whites are turned into a sparkly castle for fairies in fairyland. The Tooth Fairy treats every tooth carefully because they are each special (and kids worked hard to grow them).
“How does the Tooth Fairy get into our house?”
The Tooth Fairy is itty bitty, and she has fairy magic. She can sneak into houses even if the doors and windows are locked by using her fairy magic.
“Can the Tooth Fairy forget me?”
The Tooth Fairy is a busy little fairy! She does her job well and works hard to ensure that she gets to each child’s home. However, when many kids lose their teeth in one day, it can be challenging for her to reach all the homes.
If this happens, she will come to your house as soon as possible!
Tooth Fairy Activity
Writing a letter to the Tooth Fairy doesn’t only need to happen when a child loses a tooth. If the child has questions or concerns, writing a letter is an excellent way to let them voice them.
Items Needed
* Tooth Fairy Printable (found in the Freebies Library)
*writing tools (pen, pencil, crayon, etc)
Tooth Fairy Writing How To
- Brainstorm ideas with your preschool things to include in your letter to the Tooth Fairy.
- Using the printable, write sentences to create a letter asking questions, telling the Tooth Fairy thank you, and anything else your little one wants to include.
- Let your preschooler sign their name at the bottom.
- If your little one can, allow them to trace over the letters you wrote.
- Decorate the letter. There is space on the back for your child to draw a picture for the Tooth Fairy.
- Put the letter under your little one’s pillow (or by the window, in a tooth pillow, or wherever else you decide to collect the little one’s teeth after they lose them).
Tooth Fairy for Preschoolers
Bring magic to your home with the Tooth Fairy and this fun letter-writing activity. The Tooth Fairy is a fun way to celebrate the childhood milestone of losing teeth.
