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Last Minute World Book Day Costume Ideas

kids dressed up as disney characters
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Are you scrambling to find a costume for your child’s World Book Day celebrations and feel like you’re running out of time? Don’t worry, we have some great last-minute ideas that are sure to inspire! From classic characters to more modern favourites, we’ve got everything you need to create a memorable look. Keep reading to discover our top picks for easy last-minute World Book Day costumes.

world book day

Last Minute World Book Day Costume Ideas

With these easy-to-create book character costume ideas, it should be a no-stress World Book Day in your house!

1. Mr Men’s Mr Bump

This is a super easy costume from the classic book collection Mr Men. All you need is a blue jumper and blue trousers. Then, using white toilet roll or bandage, wrap it around your child’s head and waist. You could even also use a blue stripy jumper if you have one!

Psst…there are other easy-peasy characters you can try out too! You can find them here.

2. Gangsta Granny

This colourful character from the well-known David Walliams’ book is a favourite book character for many kids. For super easy granny style all you need is a long skirt and cardigan. Add on a messy hair wig and black eye mask and your child will be ready to complete a Gangsta Granny heist in no time!

3. Polar Express

It’s not as hard as you think… Simply put on your favourite pyjamas and dressing gown and you’re done! You can even bring a teddy if you wish.

4. Charles Dickens Oliver Twist

Got some clothes ready for the charity bag? Put those old, scruffy clothes to use once more and add a bit of dirt to your child’s face for a true orphan look. You could use make-up from your own cosmetics bag for this. Then, make sure to add a bowl for a prop to finish the look…“please sir, may I have some more…”.

kids dressed up as paddington bear and willy wonka

5. Paddington Bear

Everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear is super simple to dress up in!

Put a red bucket hat on, grab some black boots and complete the look with a blue jacket. If you’re feeling super creative (and have a small cardboard box lying around), you can turn that box into a suitcase! It’s the perfect costume.

Add some marmalade sandwiches in a brown bag for extra fun…and a delicious snack too!

6. Diary of A Wimpy Kid

Greg from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, is a favourite character for many children due to his funny storytelling about family life. Best of all, it’s really easy to create a World Book Day costume around this book.

Using a black marker pen and a piece of paper, draw the cartoon face of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Then, you can easily make a mask for your child to wear with two holes and string. They can pair the mask with normal clothes and voila they are Greg Heffley!

7. The Worst Witch

Does your child love Mildred Hubble and The Worst Witch books? Raid the dressing-up box and re-use a Halloween costume to easily re-create the look of this popular literary character. Or you can dig out some stripy tights and a black dress to pair with a pointy hat.

8. Matilda

This simple costume couldn’t be easier! All you need is a blue dress, a white cardigan and a simple red ribbon for her hair and black school shoes.

Your little one could even dress up as Amanda Thripp from Matilda (the cute little girl with pigtails). All you need is a white shirt, a pink jumpsuit, white trainers and tie your child’s hair in pigtails. It’s a bonus if they already wear glasses, if not, you can buy pink glasses without lenses!

Two outfits in one.

girl dressed as liion

9. Tracy Beaker

Everyone knows Jacqueline Wilson, right? She has loaaaads of children’s books – so it’s a no-brainer that her beloved characters from books are inspirations for many last-minute costume ideas and you can use everyday clothes too!

If your child has curly hair, then you’re already one step ahead! The Tracy Beaker books have lots of variations of her outfits. But a fan favourite is the red jumper and blue denim skirt and you can complete the look with black shoes and long socks.

You could also dress your child in a stripy red jumper if you have one!

10. Sid from Toy Story

This iconic character is known by all and is super easy to whip up a costume on, using everyday clothes and everything you have at home!

All you need is a black t-shirt, blue denim jeans and using white paper or a paper plate, draw a skull and stick (or pin) onto the black shirt. Then bring a toy dinosaur along too!

11. Hermione Granger

A magical and favourite character of the out-of-this-world franchise. All you need is a white shirt, normal school trousers or a black skirt, a colourful tie, a black cloak, black shoes and grey socks.

Put that all together and you have yourself a little witch costume. It’s a bonus if you already have a wand, if not – use a stick! Add a ginger cat teddy if possible and you’ll complete your Hermione Granger and Crookshanks outfit.

12. Princess Peach

Perfect for little girls who have lots of pink dresses already! This may not be a book/comic book costume, but it’s a great last-minute costume!

Wear a pink dress, and a crown and make a wand out of a finished kitchen roll (paint it yellow) and fashion a star from the Mario universe. Stick it onto the top of the kitchen roll and you have a star wand.

boy reading book in library

We hope you have found lots of inspiration for last-minute World Book Day costumes here. For even more ideas and inspiration check out our blog World Book Day Costumes.

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