02/28/2026
It’s National Tooth Fairy Day!
Not every kid puts their lost baby teeth under their pillow… Check out these magical traditions from around the world!
Spain & Latin America – Instead of a fairy, El Ratoncito Pérez (a tiny mouse) collects teeth and leaves a gift.
Japan & Korea – Children throw upper teeth down and lower teeth up to encourage straight growth.
France – Like in Spain, La Petite Souris (the little mouse) sneaks in at night to exchange the tooth for a coin or treat.
Cambodia & Vietnam – Tossing teeth onto the roof or burying them in the ground is believed to bring good luck.
South Africa – Kids place their teeth in slippers instead of under a pillow.
Turkey & Greece – Parents bury the tooth in a safe place or throw it onto the roof while making a wish for their child’s future success.
Basque Country – A character named Maritxu Teilatukoa (a small mouse like Ratoncito Pérez) is said to collect the teeth.
Chile – Children leave their tooth in a glass of water, and when the tooth fairy (or mouse) takes the tooth, they leave behind a small gift.
China – Similar to Japan and Korea, upper teeth go under the bed, lower teeth go on the roof to encourage proper alignment.
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka – Kids throw their teeth onto the roof and ask the sun to give them strong new ones.
Russia – Some families leave baby teeth near a mouse hole, believing that a strong mouse will exchange it for a stronger adult tooth.
Honduras & Costa Rica – Instead of a tooth fairy, children leave their teeth for a magic rabbit.
Interesting, hey?!
