World Book Day costume ideas

World Book Day usually lands in early March, and most parents remember it the evening before. Everything below can be done from a wardrobe, a bit of card and a felt tip.

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.

A rule worth keeping: the costume needs to survive a full school day, including PE, lunch and the walk home.

Costumes from clothes you already own

• Stripy top and a red bobble hat: any adventurer from a picture book.
• School uniform plus round glasses and a drawn-on lightning scar.
• Yellow top and blue dungarees: half the characters in children's fiction.
• Dressing gown and a teddy: the child in almost every bedtime story.
• All black plus ears: the cat in countless books.
• Wellies, a raincoat and a puddle drawn on card.
• White shirt, waistcoat, a pocket watch on string: the late rabbit.
• Red hoodie with the hood up and a basket: the wolf story.
• Pyjamas and a paper crown: the one who was sent to bed without supper.
• Green top, brown trousers, a leaf pinned on: a woodland character.

Ten-minute DIY book characters

• A giant peach made from a round card cut-out worn over a jumper.
• A chocolate factory golden ticket printed and carried, with a smart coat.
• A newspaper hat and a striped apron for a storybook baker.
• Cardboard wings taped to a plain top for a book fairy.
• A cardboard book cover worn as a sandwich board - the child's favourite title.
• A paper bag mask coloured in as a friendly monster.
• Cotton wool glued to a white top for a storybook sheep.
• A bin bag cape with paper stars stuck on for a night-time wizard.
• Brown card ears on a headband and a stitched-on nose for a bear.
• A pillowcase tunic with felt-tip patterns for a folk tale character.

For children who don't want to dress up

• Normal clothes plus a name badge saying which character they are.
• A t-shirt with a drawn-on book quote and nothing else.
• Carry the actual book and a matching prop - a wand, a spoon, a map.
• A themed accessory only: hat, scarf or glasses, no full outfit.
• Their own clothes as the author rather than a character.
• A tote bag decorated as a book cover, worn over school uniform.

Group and sibling ideas

• Three bears plus one girl in a yellow top.
• A whole class of different animals from one animal book.
• Two siblings as a detective and their sidekick.
• Wizards in a set of different coloured scarves.
• A family of storybook mice with paper ears.

Night-before survival rules

• Check the school rules - many now ask for pyjamas or a t-shirt only.
• Nothing that needs holding all day; they will lose it by break.
• Write their name in every removable piece.
• Keep face paint for after school photos, not for 8am.
• Take the photo at home; school photos are always chaos.

Name tag wording you can copy

• I am [character] from [book title] by [author].
• [Character] - still looking for [the thing they lose in the story].
• Ask me about [book title]. I've read it [number] times.
• Warning: contains one very brave [character].
• [Character], aged [age], chapter one.
• Today I am [character]. Tomorrow I'm back to being [child's name].
• Property of [book title]. Please return by home time.
• [Character] - my favourite page is [page number].

World Book Day etiquette

• Don't spend money on a costume if the school has said homemade or free is fine - other parents follow the lead of whoever goes big.
• Never comment on another child's outfit in front of them, even kindly meant comparisons.
• Check with close friends' parents before picking a very popular character, so two children don't arrive identical.
• Avoid characters from films the child hasn't read the book of - teachers do ask.
• Skip anything that mocks a real person, an accent or a culture.
• If your child refuses at the door, let them go as themselves with the book. It is not worth the morning.
• Don't send in anything you'd be upset to get back stained - paint, glue and lunch all happen.
• Thank the teacher, not the other way round; they've organised this on top of a normal day.

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 the school what other children are doing - duplicate costumes upset younger kids.
• Choose something they can wear a coat over.
• Keep the cardboard for book week later in the year.

Where to shop next

• Couples Halloween costumes
• Halloween makeup ideas
• Group and family Halloween costumes
• DIY Halloween costumes
• Kids Halloween costumes
• Book week costume ideas
• 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 World Book Day costume?

A stripy top with a red bobble hat, school uniform with round glasses and a drawn scar, or a dressing gown and a teddy. All come from clothes already in the house.

What can my child wear if we've forgotten World Book Day?

Send them in normal clothes with a name badge naming the character and the book in hand. Most schools accept this, and many now actively prefer it.

When is World Book Day in the UK?

World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is usually held on the first Thursday in March. Schools sometimes move it by a week, so check the letter home.

What can I make for World Book Day from cardboard?

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