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World Book Day Costume Ideas

world book day
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Did you know that World Book Day is coming up?! Lots of schools across the globe take part in the tradition of channelling their favourite characters with their World Book Day costumes. But if you don’t know where to start or your child doesn’t really have a favourite book character, you don’t need to panic.

We’ve found the best World Book Day Costumes, so you don’t have to.

Cartoon World Book Day Costume Ideas

From Mr Men and Little Miss, to Dr. Seuss and Disney – you may find the perfect costume for your kids. So, leave the school uniform at home and let’s get creative!

1. Cat in the Hat

A Dr. Seuss character that is easily recognisable! All you need is a black and white onesie, a red and white striped hat, white gloves and face paint! If you can’t find a red and white striped hat, you can make your own using red and white coloured felt and purchase a top hat! Then alternate with the colours until the hat’s complete.

Using the face paint, colour the face white (or you can leave the base paint) and just paint on the whiskers and the nose!

Don’t forget the big, red bow!

2. The Little Red Riding Hood

Another traditional kids’ fictional character that is simple to adopt as your own World Book Day costume!

All you need is a white dress, a red cape and a little basket to complete the outfit. You could maybe even add some treats in there for your child to share (if they’d like to!).

3. Paddington Bear

Everyone knows and adores this lovable marmalade-eating bear! And it’s quite simple to dress up like him too. All you need is a blue raincoat (or a blue dress if you can’t find a raincoat), a red hat and some bear ears!

If you’re feeling creative, you can make a small suitcase out of a cardboard box or bring marmalade sandwiches in a brown paper bag!

4. A Mr Men or Little Miss Character

This can be either really simple or you can get creative with it! If you choose to do Mr Strong, you can paint a cardboard box red (that can fit over your child), don’t forget to paint his face on the front-facing side! Then your child can wear a red long-sleeved T-shirt and red bottoms, with a green hat!

There you have a brilliant idea that is both creative and recognisable! And if you already have red everyday clothes, then there’s no need to go out and buy some.

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A classic children’s book with a relatable character – who isn’t hungry?!

If you have a little one who loves playing dress up and the munching character, why not combine them? ASDA is selling a The Very Hungry Caterpillar fancy dress costume – complete with butterfly wings and ears! It’s too cute not to snap up!

Pricing

£12.00

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Disney World Book Day Costume Ideas

Everyone has their favourite Disney character that they can embody! Whether it’s a princess, a monster like Sully or Alice in Wonderland.

All Disney characters are full of colour too, so you can literally be anything you want and look as creative as ever. Paint your face, change your hairstyle, add gems or flowers to your hair or anything your heart desires!

1. Princess Jasmine

If your child loves to dress up like a princess, World Book Day is the perfect excuse to switch out ordinary clothes for something sparkly!

Does your little one love Princess Jasmine? Then they can switch up their school uniform for this beautiful, turquoise outfit, with a headband included!

Pricing

£11.25

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2. Mad Hatter or Alice in Wonderland

Two equally fun and quirk costumes to dress up in! With the Mad Hatter bright colours are a must and mismatched clothing! Don’t forget a crazy-looking top hat and a kooky wig!

For Alice in Wonderland, a blue dress with a white apron will do! If you can, you can draw the card symbols on her dress (unless you buy a dress that already has them on!). Don’t forget the black headband to complete the outfit.

Pricing

£12.69

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3. Mirabel from Encanto

A bright and colourful character who lots of kids adore! We found her complete dress for you, so your child can bring her character to life!

Now they can be part of family Madrigal!

Pricing

£13.47

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4. Rapunzel

A beautiful costume for a beautiful princess. Your child can put on this perfectly purple dress and place a tiara on their head!

With tulle frills and sun graphics on the dress, they’ll be channelling her exactly. She’ll be the belle of the ball!

Pricing

£7.00

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Now, this one is easy, because these are super famous characters that have some of our favourite costumes. Plus, you can find them all easily!

1. Spider-Man

A simple superhero costume that is perfect for any age! Your child can channel their inner web powers and blow everyone away with their super cool outfit.

Great power comes great responsibility!

Pricing

£15.00

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2. Wonder Woman

Does your daughter harbour the strength of Wonder Woman and want to dress up just like her? She’s a popular children’s superhero to look up to! And we found the perfect costume for kids at Sainsbury’s!
Pricing

£12.00

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harry potter costume

3. Harry Potter or Hermione Granger

Bring characters to life from the J.K. Rowling famous book series. They’re fantastic characters to dress up for a celebration of books, considering its global success.

You can either make them with a white shirt, black trousers, black cloak and a coloured tie – or simply buy a ready-made costume online!

Don’t forget a wand, a witch hat and even a stuffed white owl or ginger cat teddy!

Pricing

£12.00

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4. Peter Rabbit

This mischievous rabbit has one of the best ready-made costumes we’ve seen. A super soft all-in-one with his iconic blue shirt! Pair it with some trainers and a bunch of carrots and you’ve got yourself a rabbit.
Pricing

£10.50

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5. The Gruffalo

Everyone knows the giant Gruffalo, with sharp teeth and orange eyes, he’s big and brown! We know kids everywhere love The Gruffalo AND we know the British weather doesn’t hold up.

Which is why this is the perfect outfit to combine the two – a Gruffalo raincoat! Complete with horns, it’s also fleece lined and has pockets. All you need to do now is put on brown tights/trousers and a brown top. And voila, a little Gruffalo.

Plus, since it’s a raincoat, your little one can wear it again and again.

Pricing

£20.00

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We hope we’ve given you some of the best World Book Day costumes for your kiddies to dress up as! Whether they love princesses, superheroes, or lovable characters that everyone knows, they’ll have fun playing them for a day. And you’ll have fun dressing them up! In a hurry? Check out our last minute World Book Day costume ideas.

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