Get ready for an exciting World Book Day on Thursday, 7th March 2024! Originating in 1995, this tradition has inspired children in the UK to dress up as their favourite characters from literature.
Ready-Made Costume Ideas
Here are some characters you can find online to buy:
- The Gruffalo
- The Cat in the Hat
- Thing One/Thing Two
- Animals: Tiger (Who Came to Tea, Tigger, Shere Khan)
- Frodo Baggins
- Pirates (Long John Silver, Molly Rogers, Captain Pugwash)
- Mary Poppins
- Fairy Tale Icons (Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood)
Photo credit: daynurseries.co.uk
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Costume Ideas
Classic Characters
Willy Wonka
Items Needed:
- Top hat
- Long purple or red coat
- Waistcoat
- Large bow tie
- Cane
Dennis (The Boy in the Dress)
Items Needed:
- One dress
- Football socks and boots
Harry Potter
Items Needed:
- Black robe
- Round glasses
- Lightning scar (red face paint)
- Wand
Modern Heroes
Isadora Moon
Items Needed:
- Pink collared dress
- Black and white stripy tights
- Bat wings
- Fairy wand
- Fangs
Eddie and Charlie
Items Needed:
- Red cape, cardboard saucepan hat, and wooden spoon
- OR –
- Aviator hat and goggles, teddy bear rucksack
Captain Pugwash
Items Needed:
- Pirate hat and coat
- Red and black striped top
- Dainty beard and moustache
Villains
The Queen of Hearts
Items Needed:
- Red, white, black and yellow clothes
- Red hearts
Dolores Umbridge
Items Needed:
- Twee pink clothes
- A hair bow
Bill Sikes
Items Needed:
- Shabby, Victorian clothing
- Handkerchief around the neck
- Stick
- Toy dog (bull terrier, ideally)
Burt
Items Needed:
- Red and white stripy top
- Shaggy black wig
- Sunglasses
- Stubble
So, there you have it—an exhaustive list of both ready-made and DIY costumes for World Book Day 2024. Whether you’re going for the classics or leaning towards modern-day heroes and villains, there’s a literary character for everyone to emulate.
Happy World Book Day! 📚🎭
