Book day costumes have a different job from Halloween ones. A child has to sit through lessons, eat lunch, go to the toilet and run at break in them, and then walk in a parade where someone has to guess who they are from across the hall. That's why I start with the book's own pictures: find the one or two things the illustrator always draws, build around those, and send the book along as the final clue. Most of the characters below come together from everyday clothes, a thrift shop and some felt and card. I've included what I'd watch for with each one, since the costume that looks best at breakfast isn't always the one still on at two o'clock.
A Book Day Costume Has to Last the Whole School Day
The night before book day, I run every costume through a quick school-day test. It saves a lot of tears at drop-off.
- Toilet: can your child get in and out of it alone? Onesies and dungarees are slow, so pick a top-and-bottoms version for younger kids.
- Lunch: anything long, like a cape, a boa or a big bow tie, will end up in the yoghurt. Make it removable.
- Carpet time: tails, wings and hard hats need to come off or tuck away so a child can sit cross-legged.
- Break time: shoes must be the ones they normally run in. A costume shoe that rubs ruins the whole day.
- Hot classrooms: wigs, fleece hoods and coats get hot fast. Layer so the costume still makes sense when the outer layer comes off.
Label anything detachable with your child's name inside. Hats, glasses and props go missing on dress-up days more than on any other day.
1. Matilda Costume With Blue Dress
Matilda is a blue dress over a white collared shirt, a red ribbon in the hair and a pile of books. That red ribbon is the detail I'd never skip, because it's in nearly every illustration of her. Tie the books together with ribbon so they stay one easy bundle to carry instead of a stack that slides everywhere. White ankle socks and black Mary Janes, no makeup. A little handmade library card is a sweet extra. Teachers can wear the same thing in a longer blue dress with flats and a canvas book bag.
2. Cat In The Hat Costume With Striped Hat
The Cat in the Hat is all about the hat, so put your effort there. A black long-sleeve top and trousers, a white felt belly panel, a soft black tail and an oversized red bow tie. For the tall striped hat, I'd use red and white felt over a tube of thin card; poster board alone gets crushed the first time a child leans on a desk. Make sure it has a strap or a headband inside, or it'll topple. Draw a black nose and whiskers with washable face paint. White gloves usually come off by morning break, so don't make them essential.
3. Where’s Waldo Costume With Striped Shirt
Waldo is the costume I suggest when there's no time at all. A red-and-white striped top, blue jeans, a striped bobble hat, round black glasses and brown boots or trainers. If you can't find the stripes, draw them: red fabric marker on a white long-sleeve T-shirt, with masking tape laid down as a guide. A cardboard walking stick suits the parade and can be left at the classroom door. A messenger bag and one of the books finish it. A whole class of Waldos makes a fun group look.
4. Alice In Wonderland Costume With Blue Dress
Alice starts with a pale blue knee-length dress and a white apron on top. Add white tights, black Mary Janes and a black ribbon headband. A blonde wig is optional, and I'd skip it for younger children since wigs get itchy within an hour; the dress, apron and headband are enough. For props, a plastic teacup or a few big paper playing cards are safer than a real drink bottle in a classroom. If you do make a "Drink Me" bottle, use an empty one with the lid glued shut. Carrying the book tells people she's Alice rather than a generic fairytale girl.
5. Madeline Costume With Yellow Hat
Madeline needs a navy or royal-blue coat over a white collared blouse and blue skirt, white knee socks and black Mary Janes. The wide yellow hat with a black ribbon is what everyone looks for. Craft-shop straw hats painted yellow work well, but I'd sew in a length of elastic to go under the chin, because brims catch the wind and the corridor breeze. A small red scarf at the neck adds a pop of colour. It's tidy and comfortable, and the coat can come off in a warm classroom.
6. Fancy Nancy Costume With Tulle Skirt
Fancy Nancy is the one where more really is more. A bright top, a layered pink or rainbow tulle skirt, patterned leggings, coloured ballet flats and a feather boa. Curls or a high ponytail with bows and a small tiara. Feather boas shed everywhere, so I'd wrap a cheap one with a few dots of clear nail polish at the ends to slow that down, or swap it for a tulle scarf. Costume jewellery and big sunglasses add to the fun. Learning a couple of her fancy words, like "posh", makes it extra.
7. Junie B. Jones Costume With Cardigan
Junie B. Jones is a bright, slightly mismatched school outfit. A cardigan over a patterned dress, skirt or shorts with colourful tights, ankle socks and trainers or Mary Janes. Her hair should look a bit wild, with one big bow or headband. Washable eyeliner pencil dotted on the nose makes quick freckles. A small backpack, a pencil and a homemade journal are better props than anything bulky. Let it look untidy on purpose; a neat Junie B. doesn't read right.
8. Pete The Cat Costume With Blue Clothes
Pete the Cat is blue from head to toe. A blue sweatshirt and joggers, a pale blue felt belly and a soft blue tail. Pin the tail to the waistband from the inside with a large safety pin, so it can be unpinned for sitting on a carpet. Cat ears on a headband keep the face clear, and a painted nose and whiskers finish the face. His shoes are a nod to the book where they keep changing colour, so bright felt shoe covers over trainers are a nice touch. A cardboard guitar makes the best prop, as long as it's light.
9. Olivia Costume With Red Dress
Olivia is red with black-and-white stripes. A red dress or pinafore over a white long-sleeve top, striped tights and red or black flats. Pale pink felt ears on a headband and a little curly tail pinned to the back are the pig details. Pipe cleaners twisted around a pencil make a curly tail that holds its shape. Pull the hair back so the ears show. A small cardboard art palette is a fitting prop for a pig who paints on walls.
10. Paddington Bear Costume With Blue Coat
Paddington needs a blue duffle coat and a floppy red hat; everything else is optional. A checked shirt, brown trousers and brown boots underneath. A bear-ear headband can sit under the hat, and a painted brown nose finishes the face. The luggage tag is what I love most: tie it to the coat toggle with soft ribbon and write "Please look after this bear. Thank you." on it, the way the book has it. An empty lunchbox with a felt marmalade sandwich inside is the perfect prop.
11. Peter Rabbit Costume With Blue Jacket
Peter Rabbit is a brown base with a blue jacket. Wear a brown top and leggings, then a collarless blue cardigan or light jacket on top; in the original pictures, his jacket has brass buttons, and gold buttons sewn on are an easy upgrade. Long brown rabbit ears on a headband and a small cotton-wool tail. If the ears flop, slide a pipe cleaner inside each one. A pink nose, white muzzle and whiskers in face paint. A felt carrot or a little basket is the prop.
12. Very Hungry Caterpillar Costume With Green Tutu
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a green body and a red head. Wear a green top and leggings, then add rings of different greens with a tutu or fabric panels; a few round felt circles pinned down the front also suggest the segments. A red hood or beanie gets green felt eyes, purple antennae and a smile. Pipe cleaners make floppy antennae; give them a bend at the tip so there are no pokey ends. Felt fruits from the story, pinned to a tote bag, are fun to count with younger children.
13. Pippi Longstocking Costume With Braids
Pippi Longstocking is the best excuse for odd socks. A patchwork dress or oversized tunic over a striped shirt, two different knee-high socks and mismatched boots if you have them. The braids are the hard part: plait the hair around a length of soft craft wire bent into a U over the head, then curve the ends outward. Test it the night before so nothing pokes the scalp. An orange braided wig is the quicker route for short hair. Washable freckles and a toy monkey or horse finish her.
14. Little Red Riding Hood Costume With Cape
Little Red Riding Hood is a red hooded cape over a simple dress, and that cape can be made from a rectangle of red fleece with a drawstring hood. I'd keep it hip or knee length for school; a floor-length cape gets stood on in a queue. A white blouse with a dark skirt or a gingham dress underneath, white tights and low boots. A little basket with a checked cloth holds felt bread or the book. Skip the wolf bits for younger classes.
15. Goldilocks Costume With Yellow Dress
Goldilocks is a sunny yellow or blue dress with a white collar and maybe a little apron, white socks and Mary Janes. Curls are her thing. Overnight plaits or soft foam rollers give natural curls without heat, and that's kinder to a child's hair than a curling wand on a school morning. A golden wig works too if it's pinned away from the face. Card bowls and spoons are safer than wooden ones in the classroom, and a small teddy under one arm is all the bear you need.
16. Mary Poppins Costume With Blue Coat
Mary Poppins is a good choice for teachers and older students. A fitted blue coat over a white high-neck blouse and dark midi skirt, black tights and flat lace-up boots. A tidy bun under a small black hat decorated with faux flowers and berries; hot glue holds artificial flowers on felt well enough for one day indoors. A closed umbrella and a carpet-style bag are the props, but check the school's rules on umbrellas first. The original books describe her as rather stern, so a prim expression is in character.
17. Willy Wonka Costume With Purple Coat
Willy Wonka is a purple coat over a patterned waistcoat, a white shirt and black trousers, plus a bright bow tie and a tall top hat. Charity-shop women's coats in purple are easier to find than men's, and fit fine on a child with the sleeves turned up. Curls or neat hair under the hat. A painted cardboard cane only if the school allows it; a paper golden ticket and a few big craft sweets are simpler. The book itself is the finishing clue.
18. Charlie Bucket Costume With Golden Ticket
Charlie Bucket is the easiest last-minute choice here. A slightly big knit jumper or brown jacket over a collared shirt, dark trousers, scruffy trainers and a newsboy cap. The golden ticket is the entire costume, so make it a good one: gold metallic card with the invitation handwritten in black, then slip it inside a paper sweet wrapper. Carry the book. Hand-me-downs actually suit him better than new clothes.
19. Harry Potter Costume With School Robe
Harry is a black robe over a white shirt, a striped tie, a dark jumper, black trousers and round glasses. Pop the lenses out of a cheap pair of glasses, or buy clear-lens ones; tinted lenses make classrooms look dim. Draw the lightning scar in washable makeup near the hairline. Many schools don't allow wands, so a rolled paper one or just the book is safer. A red and gold scarf can stand in for the robe on a warm day. Leave the robe a bit long for growing room, but hem it above the ankle so it doesn't catch on stairs.
20. Hermione Granger Costume With Gryffindor Scarf
Hermione is the tidy uniform version: a white shirt, a grey V-neck jumper, a pleated grey or black skirt or trousers, a red and gold tie or scarf, black tights and loafers. In the early books her hair is famously bushy, so brush out natural curls or waves rather than smoothing them down. A big book and a stack of notebooks are her props; labelling one "Advanced Spells" is a fun homemade touch. The robe can go on for the parade and come off for lessons.
21. Luna Lovegood Costume With Colorful Glasses
Luna Lovegood lets children be properly quirky. A pastel cardigan over a patterned skirt or bright dress, striped tights and ankle boots. The radish earrings are her signature, and red felt radishes with green felt leaves, pinned to a headband or clipped on, are safer for kids than earrings in ears. Make her spectacles from card with clear acetate lenses, and cut the eye holes wide so they don't block sight. A handmade magazine cover makes a fun prop.
22. Percy Jackson Costume With Orange Shirt
Percy Jackson is an orange T-shirt and jeans, which is why active kids love him. Add the winged horse emblem with fabric paint or an iron-on, or pin on a paper version if it's only for the day. The bead necklace from camp is the clue that sells it: thread big wooden or foam beads onto a leather cord, with a breakaway clasp or a knot loose enough to slip over the head. Leave the sword at home. A blue pen and the book do the job instead.
23. Greg Heffley Costume With White Shirt
Greg Heffley is clever because the costume is a drawing. A white T-shirt over a black long-sleeve top, black trousers and white trainers. Cut a big round head from white poster board, draw his few hairs and worried face with thick black marker, and hang it at chest height on a ribbon so it never covers the face. Laminate it or cover it with clear tape if you can; poster board goes soft and bends by lunchtime. A composition notebook labelled as his journal finishes it.
24. Dog Man Costume With Blue Uniform
Dog Man is a blue uniform with dog features. A blue button-up shirt and matching trousers, a dark blue cap and black trainers or boots. A gold paper badge and a fabric belt. Floppy dog ears on a headband keep the face clear, and a painted nose and a few whisker dots do the rest. Keep it obviously silly; no real police gear. Graphic-novel fans recognise him from the cap, ears and badge together.
25. Captain Underpants Costume With Red Cape
Captain Underpants can be done fully covered and still be funny. A tan long-sleeve top and leggings, oversized white shorts or briefs-style shorts pulled on over the top, and a red cape tied loosely. Use a quick-release tie or a strip of Velcro at the neck for any cape; it pulls free if someone grabs it. A beige beanie stands in for his bald head and is warmer than a latex bald cap. Big painted eyebrows and a heroic expression finish the joke.
26. Ms. Frizzle Costume With Science Dress
Ms. Frizzle is a teacher favourite, and I'd pick one lesson theme for her dress: planets, bugs or the ocean. Felt shapes pinned or tacked onto a plain dark dress look planned; a mix of every theme looks like a craft box exploded. Bright tights, coloured flats and big curly red hair, natural or a wig. Liz the lizard can ride on the shoulder in a little fabric loop sewn to the dress. Foam earrings stay light. A magnifying glass or model planet is a great prop for a teacher to hand round.
27. Amelia Bedelia Costume With Maid Uniform
Amelia Bedelia is a housekeeper's outfit. A modest black dress, a white apron and a detachable white collar, black tights, low black shoes and a small white cap or headband. Felt or card versions of the props are much easier to carry around school than real ones. The best detail is a handwritten list of instructions she'd take literally, like "dust the furniture" or "draw the drapes", so classmates can get the joke. Carry one of her books too.
28. Ramona Quimby Costume With Overalls
Ramona Quimby is just normal clothes, which makes her great for children who hate costumes. Denim overalls over a striped T-shirt, bright socks and trainers. A short bob or messy bunches, plus a few washable freckles. A paper crown or a lunchbox reflects her big imagination. Hang a large cardboard "Q" from the backpack as a fun clue, since she's so proud of how she writes it. The book does the rest.
29. Max From Where The Wild Things Are Costume
Max wears a white wolf suit, and a white hooded pyjama set or sweatsuit is the easiest base. Sew or pin a row of big white buttons down the front, add a soft tail and stitch rounded felt ears to the hood. Keep the hood off the face. The gold paper crown sits on top of the hood; a strip of double-sided tape inside it stops it sliding off. White trainers instead of claw covers if the school needs proper footwear. A cardboard moon is a nice prop.
30. Paper Bag Princess Costume With Crown
The Paper Bag Princess should be made from tan fabric, not a real paper bag, which tears and rustles the moment a child sits down. A plain tan tunic cut sleeveless over a brown top and leggings, with tan flats, boots or trainers. Messy hair and a smudge of brown eyeshadow on the cheeks show she's been fighting a dragon. Bend the gold card crown slightly and tape it to a headband. A plush dragon is the best prop, and the story's ending is a great talking point.
The Felt, Card and Paint That Last Until Home Time
Most book day costumes are made the night before with whatever's in the craft drawer, so it helps to know which materials survive a busy school day and which don't.
- Felt is the best friend of the last-minute costume. It doesn't fray, so cut shapes need no hemming. A few running stitches or safety pins hold it far better than glue, which peels off cotton and polyester when the fabric bends.
- Plain card and poster board soften and crease within a few hours of handling. Back a sign or a hat with corrugated cardboard, or cover it with clear tape.
- Fabric markers and fabric paint are great for stripes, logos and badges. Let paint dry overnight, or it'll print onto the car seat.
- Pipe cleaners give ears, antennae and tails a shape, but fold the cut ends over so there's no sharp wire.
When They Change Their Mind at Bedtime
It happens in almost every house: the costume is finished and your child suddenly wants to be someone else. The characters on this list that rescue you are Waldo, Charlie Bucket, Ramona, Percy Jackson and Greg Heffley, because they're built from ordinary clothes and one homemade clue. Keep a red-and-white striped top, plain T-shirts in a few colours and some card in the cupboard, and you can make one of those in twenty minutes. And if the finished costume does stay, praise how it looks, because a child who feels good in it will happily wear it all day.
Send the Book Along With the Costume
Every one of these looks comes back to the same idea: the two or three details the illustrator always draws, on clothes a child can learn and play in. You don't need anything expensive or complicated. Everyday clothes, washable face paint, light props and the right book are enough. Check your school's rules on hats, face coverings, capes and props before the day, and have your child sit, walk and climb stairs in the whole outfit at home. Then let them bring the book and tell their friends why they love that character, because that's the part they'll remember.
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