115 of the best World Book Day costumes (2024)

Table of Contents
Fun World Book Day outfits 1. Tom Gates costume 2. Bob the Builder costume 3. Dumbledore costume 4. Miss Root Demon Dentist costume 5. The Cheshire Cat costume 6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid costume 7. Gangsta Granny costume 8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar costume 9. Jack and the Beanstalk costume 10. Miss Spider costume from James and the Giant Peach 11. Lola costume from the Charlie and Lola books 12. Mr Messy costume 13. The Queen of Hearts costume 14. Grand High Witch costume from The Witches 15. Hermione Granger costume from Harry Potter 16. Bunny Vs Monkey costume 17. Golden Ticket costume from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 18. Pippi Longstocking costume 19. Veruca Salt costume from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 20. The Saucepan Man costume from the Magic Faraway Tree books 21. Matilda costume 22. Fantastic Mr Fox costumes 23. Cat in the Hat costume 24. Stick Man costume 25. Little Miss costumes 26. The Mad Hatter costume 27. Where the Wild Things Are costume 28. BFG costume 29. Curious George costume 30. Mrs Twit costume from The Twits 31. The White Rabbit costume from Alice in Wonderland 32. The Tiger Who Came To Tea costume 33. Alice in Wonderland costume 34. Alien Loves Underpants costume 35. Beast Quest costume 36. Dorothy costume from Wizard of Oz 37. Horrid Henry costume 38. Mary Poppins costume 39. Peter Rabbit 40. Angelina Ballerina costume 41. Dennis the Menace costume 42. The White Witch costume from The Chronicles of Narnia 43. Elmer the Elephant 44. The Tin Man 45. Jemima Puddle-Duck costume 46. Oompa Loompa costume 47. Mr Twit costume 48. Frodo Baggins costume 49. 101 Dalmatians costume 50. The Cat in the Hat outfit 51. Worst Witch 52. Willy Wonka! 53. Where's Wally 54. Aliens Love Dinopants 55. Peppa Pig 56. The Midnight Gang 57. Hetty Feather 58. The Bolds 59. Odd Dog Out 60. Luna Lovegood 61. Ruby Redfort 62. Supertato 63. The Gruffalo 64. Skulduggery Pleasant 65. Tris 66. Centipede from James and the Giant Peach 67. The Day the Crayons Quit 68. Claude 69. Harry Potter 70. Geek Girl 71. Spot 72. Katniss Everdeen 73. Burglar Bill 74. Joe Wicks 75. The Enormous Crocodile 76. Cruella de Vil 77. Sherlock Holmes 78. The Highway Rat 79. Grasshopper from James and the Giant Peach 80. Thing 1 and Thing 2 81. Peter Pan 82. Goldilocks 83. The Mystery Machine 84. The Rainbow Fish 85. Winnie The Witch 86. Mr Bump 87. Tweedledum and Tweedledee 88. Maisy Mouse 89. Scarecrow 90. Frankenstein's Monster 91. Funnybones 92. The Big Bad Wolf 93. Bing the bunny 94. Rowan Oakwing 95. Little Panda 96. Prince Charming 97. Oi Cat costume 98. No-Bot the Robot 99. Trolls Poppy 100. Effie Trinket 101. Cinderella 102. Doc McStuffins 103. Sleeping Beauty 104. Tinkerbell 105. Paw Patrol 106. Stormtrooper 107. Rapunzel 108. Snow White 109. Minions 110. Elsa 111. Anna 112. Ariel 113. Sofia the First 114. Buzz Lightyear 115. Dear Zoo costume What is the easiest book character to dress up as? What is the theme of World Book Day 2024? What is the best character for World Book Day? What to wear for World Book Day? Top tips for making World Book Day costumes Related articles

As we gear up to celebrate your kids' favourite stories on World Book Day, browse our mega list of book-inspired costume ideas, from old classics to new faves.

This year, World Book Day falls on 7 March. If you're looking for inspiration for costumes based on characters from books, then you've come to the right place!

  • Brilliant World Book Day costumes for teens
    Easy World Book Day costumes for adults
  • More inspired World Book Day ideas

Fun World Book Day outfits

From Tom Gates to Stick Man, we've got loads of suggestions here to help your little one look the part. Even better, many of them will include things that you'll have around the house, which can really help with saving a bit of cash while still having a memorable day.

We've collected over 100 of our favourite costumes from all over the web, as well as from our Netmums members, to bring you the ultimate list of easy outfits for you to try with your kids.

Browse our gallery of 100+ easy World Book Day costume ideas below.

1. Tom Gates costume

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Liz Pichon's Tom Gates books are a HUGE hit with kids.

And the good news is, they make for a really easy World Book Day costume. Woo hoo!

Simply draw Tom Gates' face on a piece of card and cut out. Add elastic for your child to wear round their head, or attach to a lolly stick so they can hold up.

Then your kids can get creative with their Tom Gates doodles on a plain white t-shirt. Simple but really effective

2. Bob the Builder costume

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This builder costume by Instagram user @takeitfrommummy is great for fans of Bob the Builder or Goodnight Digger.

Raid the dressing-up box for a hi-vis jacket and hard hat and then create a digger out of cardboard.

If this looks too much like hard work, you could cut out a cardboard digger for your child to hold.

3. Dumbledore costume

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He's one of the best-loved Harry Potter characters. So it's only natural your child might want to dress as Dumbledore for World Book Day.

To get the look, make or buy a cape and add a long, grey beard. Your child will need a wand too.

Are they a super fan? Here's 15 magical Harry Potter days out for the whole family.

4. Miss Root Demon Dentist costume

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Miss Root is a famous character from David Walliams' book Demon Dentist.

If you're looking for a slightly scarier costume idea, this one from Instagram user @emmafayveld is perfect!

5. The Cheshire Cat costume

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Bright stripey clothes, a crazy colourful wig, a huge painted smile and you have a Cheshire Cat.

6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid costume

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This is quick and easy, but also really clever. Simply dress your kids in black, give them a diary to hold and draw a Wimpy Kid face onto a piece of cardboard.

7. Gangsta Granny costume

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We love this costume idea based on David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny.

Dig out some suitable Granny clothes (wrinkly tights a must) and add a few accessories and you've got Gangsta Granny.

8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar costume

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This is a really easy way to make a Very Hungry Caterpillar costume for World Book Day.

Simply attach circles cut from two different types of green-coloured card together to make the caterpillar.

9. Jack and the Beanstalk costume

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We love this easy dress-up idea. And you could also use other fairy tales for inspiration too.

10. Miss Spider costume from James and the Giant Peach

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Okay, you do have to make spider legs for this costume. But if you use our instructions for no-sew animal tails, they are quick and easy to do!

11. Lola costume from the Charlie and Lola books

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The large cut-outs make your kids look like they’ve just stepped out of the pages of a Charlie and Lola book. Really effective and easy to do.

12. Mr Messy costume

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This Mr Messy costume is inspired.

You could make any of the Mr Men characters. All you need is a large sheet of card to draw your character on. Easy but brilliant.

13. The Queen of Hearts costume

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This is a beautiful and detailed homemade Queen of Hearts costume.

You could simplify by cutting red hearts from felt and sticking them on a dress with a glue gun.

Use our step-by-step instructions to make a Queen of Hearts dress.

14. Grand High Witch costume from The Witches

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Dig out an old black handbag and white gloves - or have a trawl through the charity shops.

Then all you need for this Grand High Witch costume is a blue dress and a face drawn onto some card.

15. Hermione Granger costume from Harry Potter

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Black cloak, toy cat, stick wand and curled hair and you've got one fab Hermione Granger.

For Harry Potter add glasses and a scar (eyeliner on forehead) and for Ron add a ginger wig.

16. Bunny Vs Monkey costume

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Jamie Smart's Bunny vs Monkey books are a huge hit with primary school-aged kids.

Skunky is an easy character to do for World Book Day. Use coloured hair spray for a skunk effect, and add a fancy dress lab coat.

If you've got time you could also make a skunk tail out of black and white material.

17. Golden Ticket costume from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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This golden ticket costume is ideal for girls and boys. Check out even more Roald Dahl costume ideas for World Book Day.

18. Pippi Longstocking costume

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Add patches to a denim pinafore and then add stripey socks and a red wig and you've got a great Pippi Longstocking costume.

19. Veruca Salt costume from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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A golden ticket, a pretty dress and a hairband and your Veruca Salt costume is complete.

20. The Saucepan Man costume from the Magic Faraway Tree books

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We love this clever Saucepan Man costume from Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree.

You’ll need to either eat a lot of takeaways to create all the saucepans (oh go on then!) or you can make them from cardboard and tin foil.

21. Matilda costume

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A simple cotton dress and a cardie along with a pile of books and your child is transformed into Roald Dahl's Matilda.

Bonus points for drawing a lizard on the outside of a jar and filling it with water!

22. Fantastic Mr Fox costumes

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We love these Fantastic Mr Fox costumes on Pobble Education's Pinterest, suitable for boys and girls. If you’re going to copy this idea, probably leave out the scissors in the pocket!

Follow our guide to make the perfect Mr Fox outfit.

23. Cat in the Hat costume

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This one posted to Pinterest by U Me and the Kids is so simple to make.

Follow our step-by-step instructions to make a cat costume, draw on some whiskers and make a red and white striped top hat out of an empty kitchen roll.

24. Stick Man costume

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This Stick Man costume is amazing.

If you want to attempt an easier version, cut a tree shape out of a large piece of card and paint it brown for your child to carry.

Or dress them all in brown and draw black lines on their clothes to look like the ridges in a tree trunk.

25. Little Miss costumes

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This one is great for siblings or friends.

You can either make the Little Miss costumes with a simple no-sew tabard as a starting point, or cut out the shape of your character from card.

26. The Mad Hatter costume

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A colourful and zany Mad Hatter - complete with tea cup! – posted by mum @sarahyewman.

27. Where the Wild Things Are costume

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If you like this costume we found on @gibbosmiff's Instagram, based on the classic children's book, follow our step-by-step instructions for making a crown.

28. BFG costume

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The BFG is a really popular dress-up idea for World Book Day, as shown here by U Me and the Kids on Pinterest.

Get your hands on some novelty ears and a waistcoat and you’ve pretty much got the outfit sorted.

29. Curious George costume

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A toy monkey and some yellow clothes and you’re good to go with this cute Curious George costume, which U Me and the Kids shared on Pinterest.

30. Mrs Twit costume from The Twits

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If your kids want to go as Roald Dahl’s The Twits, all they need is backcombed hair, a monobrow and a cane cut out from some cardboard.

A great costume if you’ve forgotten about World Book Day and only have a few hours to make a dressing-up outfit.

31. The White Rabbit costume from Alice in Wonderland

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Add rabbit ears to a top hat, plus a fob watch and what do you have? The White Rabbit from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, of course. Just don't be late!

32. The Tiger Who Came To Tea costume

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Any furry tiger hats and gloves hanging around? Put them to good use for a super-cute outfit straight out of The Tiger Who Came To Tea, brought to life here by @lynds_v on Instagram.

33. Alice in Wonderland costume

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Make a cardboard house and pop your Alice in to show how she bursts out of it when she eats the cake marked 'Eat me'. Brilliant work from @notspidermansmj on Instagram!

34. Alien Loves Underpants costume

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Ah, the power of the underpants. Add orange clothes and go wild with the felt tips.

35. Beast Quest costume

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Fashion a shield and a sword out of cardboard for a character from Beast Quest this World Book Day, just like mum @jobjo75 did on Instagram.

36. Dorothy costume from Wizard of Oz

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Customise an old summer dress, add a pair of red shoes and hey presto - your child is transformed into Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.

If you like this outfit we found on @hungermama's Instagram, we've got more tips on how to make a simple Dorothy costume.

37. Horrid Henry costume

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All you need for this easy World Book Day costume is a jumper and trousers and then a homemade Horrid Henry mask.

It looks great … and doesn’t take long to make. Hurrah!

38. Mary Poppins costume

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This Mary Poppins costume can be pulled together using a school uniform, a black hat and a big handbag.

Tie your child’s hair back and you’ve got a brilliantly simple outfit.

39. Peter Rabbit

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Rabbit ears on a headband, a little facepaint, and you've got a super-quick Peter Rabbit.

40. Angelina Ballerina costume

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If your kids go to ballet, then you’re halfway there with this cute Angelina Ballerina costume.

You can also make a simple tutu if needed, and draw a picture of a mouse face on a piece of card to complete the look.

41. Dennis the Menace costume

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If you’ve got older boys, they’ll love this World Book Day costume idea.

For your Dennis the Menace dress-up outfit, all you need is a red and black stripey top, black shorts and some hair gel for his spiky hair.

The same basic idea also works for Minnie the Minx; you just need to stick a red pom-pom on a black beret for the full effect.

42. The White Witch costume from The Chronicles of Narnia

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Find a white dress and make some spiky icicle cones to attach to a headband, like this one we found on Instagram by @stitchitmama. Hey presto, your child is Narnia's White Witch.

43. Elmer the Elephant

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Okay, we know this Elmer the Patchwork Elephant costume looks a bit daunting to make.

But if you’ve got the time then it’s a brilliant World Book Day costume.

44. The Tin Man

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We love this super shiny Tin Man costume from The Wizard of Oz.

However, you can make a much simpler version using silver-painted cardboard, foil or silver clothes. Have a look in the charity shops or the dressing-up box for anything that might work.

45. Jemima Puddle-Duck costume

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Blue bonnet, pink dress, yellow bill made from cardboard and orange tights. You've got the perfect Jemima from The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter.

46. Oompa Loompa costume

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You’re guaranteed to see a few Oompa Loompas in your kid’s classroom on World Book Day.

It’s a great dressing up idea - here are more Roald Dahl characters to choose from.

47. Mr Twit costume

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All you need is a black wig and beard and a liberal sprinkling of cornflakes. And voila, you have your very own Mr Twit, just like this one posted to Instagram by @spooniesparkles_.

48. Frodo Baggins costume

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Got some brown fabric you can use to make a no-sew cape? Then your child can easily become Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings.

Wrap a few slices of white bread in green card for bonus points.

49. 101 Dalmatians costume

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Customise a white T-shirt and leggings with plenty of spots, add a mask and socks for ears, and look! You've got your very own pup from The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Just watch out for any Cruellas stalking the classroom ...

50. The Cat in the Hat outfit

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Here’s an easy Cat in the Hat costume for boys or girls. Once you've got the hat and the big red bow, you've pretty much nailed it!

51. Worst Witch

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The Worst Witch is a super-quick, but effective, costume to make.

Find the costume guide for the Worst Witch from Book Aid International.

52. Willy Wonka!

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Who wouldn't want to be the owner of their very own chocolate factory?

This is a simple outfit to put together with clothes they already have, or things you could pick up cheaply.

Take a look at our guide to find out what you'll need to make it

53. Where's Wally

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You'll definitely be able to spot your child in this Where's Wally costume!

Make your own Where's Wally costume using the Book Aid International guide.

54. Aliens Love Dinopants

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If your child's a big fan of Aliens Love Dinopants, this costume is perfect.

Find out how to make it using the Book Aid International guide.

55. Peppa Pig

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Here's a costume for all the lil' Peppa Pig fans out there! It's an easy-to-put-together outfit, thanks to Whippersnappers on Pinterest.

56. The Midnight Gang

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If you're looking for a SUPER easy costume, this idea from The Midnight Gang is perfect.

Use the Book Aid International guide to make this costume.

57. Hetty Feather

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Hetty Feather is a Jacqueline Wilson favourite!

Make your own Hetty Feather costume using the Book Aid International guide.

58. The Bolds

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Your child will really stand out with these original The Bolds costumes.

Use the Book Aid International guide to make these easy outfits.

59. Odd Dog Out

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Your little one will look super cute in this Odd Dog Out costume!

Have a go at making the outfit yourself from Book Aid International.

60. Luna Lovegood

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Calling all Harry Potter fans - here's the perfect Luna Lovegood costume!

Find out how to make it on the Book Aid International guide.

61. Ruby Redfort

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The Ruby Redfort series is one of the easiest costumes to make.

Find the full guide on Book Aid International.

62. Supertato

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Supertato to the rescue! This is an awesome costume to make!

Use the simple guide on Book Aid International.

63. The Gruffalo

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What a cute lil' Mouse from The Gruffalo! This classic book has characters that can easily be brought to life.

64. Skulduggery Pleasant

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If your child's a fan of these fantasy novels, here's a great costume idea.

Find out how to make it on the Book Aid International site.

65. Tris

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Tris is the lead character in the Divergent series. And look how simple the costume is!

Make your own version using the Book Aid International guide.

66. Centipede from James and the Giant Peach

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The popular Roald Dahl book James and the Giant Peach has plenty of character ideas.

Have a go at making this centipede costume from Book Aid International.

67. The Day the Crayons Quit

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The Day the Crayons Quit is a super fun costume to try and make.

Use this guide from Book Aid International.

68. Claude

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Your child can dress up as Claude, the extraordinary dog.

See the full costume on the Book Aid International site.

69. Harry Potter

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Let your child wow their friends with their wizarding powers in this Harry Potter costume.

Find the full guide on Book Aid International.

70. Geek Girl

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This Geek Girl outfit couldn't be easier - and it looks great!

Find out how to make it on Book Aid International.

71. Spot

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Everyone loves Spot the Dog! This costume is perfect for little ones.

Here's the Book Aid International guide to making it.

72. Katniss Everdeen

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If your child is a Hunger Games fan, Katniss Everdeen is a great costume idea.

Try the Book Aid International guide to make your own.

73. Burglar Bill

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Watch out for Burglar Bill! You'll definitely be able to tell which book this character is from!

Find the full costume guide on Book Aid International.

74. Joe Wicks

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If your child's a fan of the recipes in Joe Wicks' Lean in 15 book, try this costume idea by @cbt_din on Twitter!

(A recipe book is still a book!)

75. The Enormous Crocodile

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All you need to do for this Roald Dahl costume by @thepapernursery on Instagram is find a set of green clothes, and make a crocodile mouth from papier-mache.

76. Cruella de Vil

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If it's a Disney character you're looking for, Cruella is always a good option.

Get the colour hair spray at the ready!

77. Sherlock Holmes

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The ultimate fiction character has to be Sherlock Holmes.

Complete the costume with a tweed flat cap, fake pipe and a detective's cape.

78. The Highway Rat

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The Highway Rat is a classic written by Julia Donaldson.

All this costume needs is a nose, a black hat and a black eye mask. A great effort by @zingzingtree on Instagram.

79. Grasshopper from James and the Giant Peach

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If you're looking for an easy option, we love this Grasshopper costume by @strutscostumes on Instagram.

With a green outfit, green face paint and green antennas, the outfit is pretty much done!

80. Thing 1 and Thing 2

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The Dr Seuss characters are part of The Cat in the Hat story.

All you need for this costume are the T-shirts and blue accessories.

81. Peter Pan

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If your child never wants to grow up, let them dress up as Peter Pan!

This costume by @pixieplanner_ on Instagram is too cute (and also works well for Robin Hood!).

82. Goldilocks

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As long as your child has a family of teddy bears, you'll have no problem with this costume that @danielle_mannion put together on Instagram!

83. The Mystery Machine

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Because who doesn't love Scooby Doo?!

The Mystery Machine is the perfect costume if you feel like getting crafty. We love this effort by @scoobydoos817cnu on Instagram.

84. The Rainbow Fish

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The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister makes for a great costume - you can take inspiration from @sochil_bg's Instagram and be as colourful as you like!

85. Winnie The Witch

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What makes Winnie The Witch so iconic is her tall hat. Make your own witch's hat with card and decorate with stars and stripes, like @becky__wesley did on her Instagram.

Add a broomstick and stripey tights, and voila!

86. Mr Bump

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The Mr Men series has over 50 books, and one of the most famous characters is Mr Bump.

All you need is blue card, and blue, white and black paint.

87. Tweedledum and Tweedledee

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If your child and their friend want to go as a double act together, have a go at these Tweedledum and Tweedledee costumes.

The bald caps are a great touch!

88. Maisy Mouse

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It's the classic mouse Maisy, put together by mum @burcinandmunchkins on Instagram!

You can make an easy costume with cardboard accessories, such as ears, whiskers and a tail.

89. Scarecrow

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The Wizard of Oz's Scarecrow is a simple costume to make, done beautifully here by @gavinboswell on Instagram.

Find some straw, a checkered shirt and a hat and you're ready to go.

90. Frankenstein's Monster

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If you're great with face paint, this Frankenstein costume will be a great idea for your child.

This spooky costume can also double up for Halloween!

91. Funnybones

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You can adapt your child's Halloween costume to make this Funnybones outfit posted to Instagram by @smels.

The cardboard cutouts really make the outfits.

92. The Big Bad Wolf

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You can easily transform your child into the Big Bad Wolf by creating a mask out of feathers and felt - it's that easy! Here's one example posted to Instagram by @ms.t_and_jd.

Get more printable templates for masks here.

93. Bing the bunny

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What a cute little outfit this is, made by @craftycalon on Instagram! All you need to do is add a cardboard button to normal clothes and paint on a nose and whiskers!

94. Rowan Oakwing

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Add some bright yellow cardboard wings to a white dress to create this Rowan Oakwing costume, made by @edjclarke on Instagram.

95. Little Panda

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Little Panda is from the book Where My Feet Go.

All you need is black and white face paint to replicate this costume we found on @birgittasif's Instagram.

96. Prince Charming

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Because every fairytale needs a Prince Charming!

This outfit was put together by Instagram user @keighleydxn using everyday clothes and an added costume hat.

97. Oi Cat costume

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Oi Cat is a lovely rhyming book that's perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

It also makes for an easy World Book Day costume.

Use a marker pen to write 'Oi Cat' on the front of a plain t-shirt.

And a pair of cat ears on a headband and you're good to go!

98. No-Bot the Robot

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If you've got a couple of cardboard boxes lying around, you can easily make this No-Bot, the Robot with No Bottom costume from Instagram user @melaniee1807.

You'll need a lot of red paint and coloured cardboard to make this.

99. Trolls Poppy

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If your child is a fan of the Trolls books or the film, this Poppy costume is great!

Who doesn't want to have pink hair for the day?!

100. Effie Trinket

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (100)

Effie Trinket is from the popular series The Hunger Games.

We love this elaborate butterfly costume design, made by Instagram user @claire_mullord.

101. Cinderella

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (101)

This basic Cinderella outfit is really simple – no cutting or sewing required!

You can make it more princessy by adding sparkles.

Check out our full guide and more tips on making it.

102. Doc McStuffins

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Possibly the quickest costume to pull together ever, with no cutting, sewing or sticking required!

Your child could take a bandaged-up stuffed toy as an added accessory.

Follow our guide to make your own Doc McStuffins costume.

103. Sleeping Beauty

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (103)

A simple pink sundress can be transformed into a gown worthy of Princess Aurora in no time.

Our handy guide will tell you how!

104. Tinkerbell

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (104)

This simple Tinkerbell outfit complete with a leafy skirt will make your child the envy of Pixie Hollow.

Just follow our guide to find the four simple steps to make it!

105. Paw Patrol

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (105)

Transform your child into their favourite canine crime fighter!

Head over to our handy walkthrough to avoid having a ruff time making it.

106. Stormtrooper

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Did you know that the Star Wars novel came out the year before the first film?

Anyway, this is a great costume that kids can really get involved with making. It's probably easiest to make it 'on' your child on the day.

107. Rapunzel

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (107)

If your little girl loves dressing up as a Princess with a bit of punch, then have a look at our guide for making a Rapunzel costume for World Book Day.

Not mentioned in the guide: Don't forget to give her a self-defence frying pan!

108. Snow White

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (108)

Check out our walkthrough for how to make your own adorable Snow White costume for World Book Day. Perfect for girls who are tall for their age.

Don't forget to teach her the names of all the seven dwarfs!

109. Minions

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (109)

Despite basically being yellow Tic Tacs with eyes that are obsessed with fruit, Minions are still incredibly popular with kids. If you're needing some inspiration for making your own costume, you'll find 16 different Minion costumes at Country Living.

110. Elsa

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (110)

Everyone loves Frozen, even if we sometimes regret how the songs get stuck in our heads. If your little lady is more of an Elsa than an Anna, check out our step-by-step instructions for making a clever no-sew Elsa costume.

111. Anna

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And, if she's more Anna than Elsa, and you want to put together a lovely costume for her, here's our handy guide to making it for yourself.

112. Ariel

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (112)

Despite the recent controversy, anyone can and should. be allowed to be their favourite Disney princess. To find out how to transform your little girl into Ariel in three easy steps, follow our step-by-step instructions.

113. Sofia the First

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (113)

A lovely story that cleverly teaches children about consequences, using Sofia's magical amulet, this detailed walkthrough over at Love Jac will show you how to make your very own Princess Sofia costume.

Warning: This one is something of a project, and not a great choice if you're short on time or can't sew.

114. Buzz Lightyear

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (114)

You won't have to go to Infinity or beyond to make your kid a great Buzz Lightyear costume this World Book Day, you just need this easy-to-follow guide!

115. Dear Zoo costume

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115 of the best World Book Day costumes (115)

This is such a brilliant idea for younger kids, posted by Danielle Johnson on Pinterest.

An animal hoodie, a piece of cardboard and some paint is pretty much all you need to make this Dear Zoo costume. Genius!

What is the easiest book character to dress up as?

One of the easiest book characters to transform into is The Cat in the Hat. Why? The costume is simple and you could put it together with stuff you probably already have at home. Grab a black outfit, make a red bow tie out of any fabric (or paper!), and top it off with a homemade striped hat. Easy, peasy, and super recognisable! This choice is perfect for both kids and adults wanting to celebrate their love for reading without too much fuss.

What is the theme of World Book Day 2024?

The theme of World Book Day 2024 is 'Read Your Way.' This theme celebrates that children enjoy reading more when they’re unburdened of specific expectations or prescribed methods of reading. It invites educators and parents to champion children’s own choices and preferences - because reading is more fun when kids read their own way!

What is the best character for World Book Day?

Choosing the best character for World Book Day is like picking the tastiest flavour of ice cream – it's all about personal taste! However, a universally beloved choice is Harry Potter. With his iconic glasses, lightning bolt scar, and wizard robe, Harry is not only easy to recognise but also incredibly fun to dress up as.

What to wear for World Book Day?

Think of your favourite book and let your imagination run wild! Whether you're crafting a costume from scratch or piecing together an outfit from what you have, the key is to have fun and embrace the spirit of the day. For a no-fuss option, consider characters with simple, iconic looks – like Matilda, with her blue dress and red ribbon, or Paddington Bear, with his red hat and blue coat. What’s important is that you wear something that sparks joy and shares your love of reading.

Top tips for making World Book Day costumes

If you're after more book-smart ideas on how to make easy World Book Day costumes, we've got you covered! Here are just some of our vital tips for making easy and affordable costumes for World Book Day:

  • The Golden Rule: Don't let the kids decide! If you ask them what they want to dress up as, they may choose the most elaborate costume EVER. So if you don't want to be up sewing until 2am, come up with your own shortlist of achievable costumes first, then let them pick from that list.
  • Start with what you have in the house, and find a book that fits things you can find
  • Look through EVERYONE'S wardrobes. Dad's tie may make a great Penny Crayon costume and an apron could be fashioned into an Alice in Wonderland dress.
  • Think about sleepwear - Pyjamas and nighties can work for all sorts of costumes, like The Darlings from Peter Pan or Sophie from The BFG.
  • Adapt a PE or sports kit, or their school uniform - think Football Academy for sports kit, Harry Potter and St Trinian's for the uniform.
  • Make the most of accessories -if you have a huge basket, find or make ared cloak for Little Red Riding Hood. If you have stripey tights, that could be the start of Pippi Longstocking.
  • Disney characters can have some simple and easy-to-copy outfits, and most of them are based on books.
  • Get creative with cardboard. There's almost nothing you can't make with some cardboard, scissors, and a good idea.
  • Start with a stripey jumper. It can be the start of many an easy costume including Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx, Where's Wally, or Horrid Henry.
  • Make a simple mask. Paper plates are great for making simple masks. You can turn your child into pretty much any World Book Day character they fancy with a little crafting.
  • Get the face paints out. Book characters can easily come to life with cute painted faces. Think The Tiger Who Came to Tea or the Cheshire Cat.
  • Grab a bargain at the charity shops. You might find a great cheap costume, or some slightly dishevelled clothes for a Charlie Bucket costume. Just add a cardboard Wonka Bar and you're set!

Be sure to check out our full list of tips to get more brilliant – and super simple – ideas for your World Book Day costumes.

Take a look at30 easy Roald Dahl costumes for World Book Day 2023From Matilda and The BFG to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, here are 26 easy costume ideas for your kids – ideal for World Book Day and they'll come in handy if your school's doing Roald Dahl Day, too!View gallery

Looking for more inspo? Why not try these favourite books for young kids, or swap ideas in our Forum:

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