World Book Day: 12 great costume ideas

This year marks the 20th anniversary of World Book Day, a celebration of books, authors, illustrators and of course, reading. Chances are, your children will be taking part in the celebrations at their school on Thursday March 2 and will be encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters. If you’re struggling with costume ideas for them, and don’t want to spend a fortune, check out Bethan Tolley’s choices…

Harry Potter
If your kids are Potter fanatics, then chances are, they would love to be dressed up as their favourite characters. Whether they want to be Harry or Hermione Granger, they will need a robe. A robe can be easily made by cutting up a large t-shirt and simply ironing on the Hogwarts patch. For Harry, your child can wear black trousers, a grey jumper and a red and yellow striped tie. It is similar with Hermione, they might just prefer a grey skirt and black jumper instead.

Cat in the Hat
The kids could always dress up as cat! Add a stripy hat, and you’ve got yourself an iconic character. Alternatively, if they are siblings or you can get a friend of theirs involved, they could go as Thing 1 and Thing 2. All they will need is a red onesie each, or red dress, or red top and skirt. Use a permanent marker to write ‘Thing 1’ and ‘Thing 2’ on two round pieces of fabric and either sew or superglue onto the outfit. Complete the outfits with either a blue wig or a blue hair accessory.

The Wizard of Oz
A classic story and one where everyone has their favourite character. For Dorothy, all that is needed is a blue pinafore style dress, red sparkly shoes, blue or red ribbon and a small basket. Even better if you have a dog teddy bear lying around for the role of Toto. The other characters are easy to create too, like the scarecrow, where straw can be added to a plain long sleeved top and trousers.

Dennis the Menace
This one is super easy for your little one. All you will need is black shorts or trousers and a red and black stripy jumper or long sleeved shirt. Use some hair gel to make their hair mad and complete the outfit with red socks, of course.

Peter Pan
Whether it is Peter Pan, Tinker Bell or Wendy, the costumes are easy to create. For Peter, pair a long green top with green tights and wrap a brown belt around the outfit before adding a green hat with a red feather. The hat can easily be made from felt or even card. For Tinker Bell, a light green dress can be cut up at the bottom and you will just need to add green wings and a wand. Wendy is probably the easiest to create though. All you need is a long blue dress and ribbon to be wrapped around the waist and for a bow in their hair.

Room on the Broom
Great news if your child’s favourite book is Room on the Broom as you can easily use the witches hat, cape and broom from their Halloween costume. Then all you will need to add is a red shirt or jumper and a purple skirt and of course, a wand.

Paddington Bear
Another iconic character and one that isn’t too difficult to recreate. For Paddington Bear, you will need a blue duffle coat, a red floppy hat and red wellies. Don’t forget a small suitcase with P.B. written on and a name tag. If they really want to feel like Paddington, pack their suitcase with marmalade sandwiches!

Angelina Ballerina
This is the perfect outfit if your child has a tutu. Angelina is a feisty mouse who loves to dance and dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Sound familiar? World Book Day is a great chance for your child to dress up like Angelina. Team a pink tutu with a pink leotard or t-shirt and ballerina shoes with pink ribbon. Complete the look with mouse ears, which can be made with card and felt.

Roald Dahl’s characters
Where do we even begin with Roald Dahl’s books? There are so many characters to choose from for World Book Day. Either team a blue dress, red ribbon and a book or two together for Matilda or a shirt, tie and jacket for Fantastic Mr Fox, and a face mask of course which can be easily made with card. Alternatively, get a purple jacket, wacky shirt, top hat and cane for a great Willy Wonka look.

Where’s Wally?
You can’t go wrong with a Where’s Wally costume as everyone knows who he is. For the ultimate Where’s Wally look, get a long sleeved blue and white stripy t-shirt and hat, light blue trousers or skirt and rounded glasses. Don’t forget the cane too!

Little Red Riding Hood
If your child is a big fan of the fairy tale, this is the perfect outfit idea for them. You will need a red and white checked dress, or red dress with a white pinny and a red hooded cape. You can then complete the look with a small basket and either white or black tights.

Mr Bump
To master a Mr Bump outfit, it is time to get creative. You could paint Mr Bump’s face on a large piece of thick card and another blue and hold the two together over your child’s shoulders with string or Velcro. Alternatively, dress your child up in all blue and wrap them in bandages!