Book week costume ideas

Book week and World Book Day usually mean the same panic: a costume, tonight, from nothing. These ideas are all school-day proof - no masks, no props to carry, nothing that falls apart at break.

We don't sell costumes - we make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house, printed in the UK - so nothing below is a sales pitch for an outfit.

If the school has set a specific book or theme, read the letter first; half of these can be adapted to it.

Classic book characters from clothes you own

• Stripy top and a red bobble hat.
• School uniform, round glasses, a drawn lightning scar.
• Red hooded top and a basket.
• Dungarees and a straw hat: a farmyard story character.
• Pyjamas and a paper crown for the monster king.
• All-white outfit and a paper halo: the storybook angel.
• A smart coat and a golden ticket in the pocket.
• A dressing gown and a battered teddy.

Card and craft characters

• A sandwich board painted as their favourite book cover.
• Cardboard wings taped on for a book fairy.
• A paper bag monster mask, coloured in at the kitchen table.
• A giant peach cut from card, worn over a jumper.
• Cotton wool on white for a storybook sheep.
• A cardboard crown with the title written round it.

Animals from picture books

• Bear: brown clothes, card ears, a drawn nose.
• Mouse: grey with a pink nose and a string tail.
• Tiger: orange with black tape stripes.
• Owl: brown with paper feathers on the chest.
• Rabbit: white with tall card ears and a waistcoat.
• Fox: orange top and a tail made from a rolled sock.

Low-effort options for reluctant kids

• Own clothes plus a name badge naming the character.
• A themed accessory only - hat, glasses, scarf.
• Carry the actual book and a single matching prop.
• A plain t-shirt with a hand-written book quote.
• Dress as the author rather than a character.

Getting through the school day

• Check the school's rules before you buy anything.
• Nothing they have to hold; it will be lost by 10am.
• Make sure a coat fits over the top.
• Write their name in every removable piece.
• Take the photo at home before school.

Shop party supplies

Pin badges for prizes

Something to hand the best and worst costume of the night.

How to write it so it lands

• Ask what friends are going as to avoid three identical outfits.
• Keep craft pieces for the next dress-up day.
• Layer it over uniform where the school allows.

Where to shop next

• Couples Halloween costumes
• World Book Day costume ideas
• Halloween makeup ideas
• Group and family Halloween costumes
• DIY Halloween costumes
• Kids Halloween costumes
• Christmas jumper day ideas
• Pet Halloween costumes
• Halloween costume ideas
• Fancy dress ideas
• Halloween party ideas
• Party supplies
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

What is an easy book week costume?

A stripy top with a red bobble hat, a red hooded top with a basket, or pyjamas with a paper crown. All come from clothes already at home.

What can my child wear for book week at the last minute?

Own clothes with a name badge naming the character, plus the book itself in hand. Schools accept this and it takes two minutes.

Is book week the same as World Book Day?

Not quite - World Book Day in the UK is usually the first Thursday in March, while individual schools run their own book week at other points in the year.

What book character can I make from cardboard?

A book cover sandwich board, fairy wings, a giant peach or a monster mask from a paper bag all take a box, tape and felt tips.