World Book Day Kids Costume Ideas

Hi, I am Adele. I've been running a large fancy dress shop in Essex, England, since 1998. I'm happy to pass on my knowledge to help others.

Need a Costume For World Book Day?

The official date for World Book Day 2014 is 6th March, although of course some schools and institutions may vary their own celebrations to fit their own curriculum or timetable of events.

On whatever day you are reading this hub, it is never too early to start planning (rather like the carnival people who start working on next year's costume as soon as this year's event is over)The nearer the date you get, the more many parents will rush about in a mad panic trying to find a costume for their children, especially if your child forgets to mention the need for one until the last minute: If your children are anything like mine were, you may not have even been presented with a note, or if you are lucky, a crumpled note may be found at the bottom of their school bag - note the date NOW!

But, as you are aware the problems do not end there.

• You have to choose a costume that will suffice as a book character
• It has to be suitable to be worn all day long at school
• It has to have a 'cool' look - especially for boys, who will not appreciate being dressed as Pinocchio at 10 years old!

Do not panic, this hub will give you book characters and some ideas for your childrens' World Book Day Costumes.

Please be aware that these World Book Day Costume Ideas tend to be for Primary School children (UK) and not for older children. At the moment there is a gap in the market for children aged 11 - 16 years: Kids'costumes are too small, or plain 'uncool' and the adult costumes are just too big. This is something that we are working on with various manufacturers to try to fillthis gap, so watch this space! There are 'crossover' books such as Harry Potter or Narnia which are read by adults and children and for which costumes exist, but then teenagers (or parents) don't like paying adult prices. In the search for the new 'hot' teenage franchise successor to Harry Potter and the like, the current leaders are arguably The Hunger Games and the more recent Divergent. There are some interesting 'looks' involved, but the mainstream merchandise market is slow to catch up.

Props n Frocks is based in Essex, England and as well as an online shop, also has a fancy dress shop that has been established since 1998. We work very hard to provide as much information as we can FREE of charge to help customers, new and old. Take a look at this page if you need even more children costume ideas for World Book Day

Some 'Cool' Girls Costumes

Girls do not seem to be as fussy about dressing up as boys and are normally quite happy to dress up as Red Riding Hood for example. However, we have found that The High School Musical Costumes have been a big hit with young girls and there are books out on Amazon at the moment so they should be okay to use.

Other 'Cool' girls costumes include:

• Supergirl
• Wonder Woman
• Scarlett O'Hara

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Some 'Cool' Boy Costumes

To be honest, you could probably choose any costume and find a book that it could be linked to. With this in mind, I have included some of the popular costumes that boys tend to like to wear. You could argue that Superman, for example comes from a comic 'book'!

• Superman
• Batman
• Robin
• Jack Sparrow
• Darth Maul
• Darth Vader
• Zorro
• Obi Wan Kenobi

Did You Know Childrens Costumes Must Have The Current CE Safety Standard Mark?

If not, this is something you must be aware of. Childrens fancy dress costumes comes under the EN71 standard. To explain this fully would take ages, but bascially it means that all childrens fancy dress costumes must have passed rigorous testing standards. These tests include Flamability & Choking.

A link is posted below if you wish to find out more.

• World Book Day Costumes
  More ideas for World Book Day
• EN71 European Standard
  What is EN71 and how it applies to childrens costumes
• Childrens Books From Amazon
  Still need more ideas, look at Amazon's huge selection of book titles
• Information Regarding World Book Day 2011
  The Official 2011 World Book Day Website

Face Bobs

Face Bobs are any easy way to turn your child into an animal or a bird. Unlike 'normal' masks, Face Bobs do not stop you eating, drinking or speaking. From a health & safety perspective, Face Bobs are a safe alternative. All you will need to do is to get your son or daughter to wear appropriate colour clothing. Many childrens books have animals as main characters, so Face Bobs may just be what you are looking for.

Face Bobs are available in these animals/birds:

Dog - Cat - Donkey - Mouse - Pig - Cow - Sheep - Duck - Bear - Fox - Parott - Chicken - Rabbit - Owl

Some Ideas For Childrens Books

Classic Stories & Fairy Tales

Alice in Wonderland

Aladdin

Cinderella

Goldilocks & The Three Bears

Jack & The Beanstalk

Little Miss Muffet

Peter Pan

Pinocchio

Princess & The Pea

Red Riding Hood

The Three Little Pigs

Wizard of Oz

Pied Piper of Hamlyn

Harry Potter

Lord of The Rings

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

Prince Caspian

The Frog Prince

The Fox & The Cat

Winnie The Pooh

Roald Dahl Books

James & the Giant Peach

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Big Friendly Giant

The Fantastic Mr Fox

The Witches

Matilda

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Hare & The Tortoise

Winnie The Witch

The Railway Children

The Famous Five -use a 1940s Evacuee costume

Meg & Mog

Dr. Dolittle

Lizzie Dripping

Just William

Gulliver's Travels

The Bible

The Snowman

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Wind in The Willows

Jemima Puddleduck

Heidi

The Indian in The Cupboard

Watership Down

Oliver Twist

Jungle Book

Dracula

Frankenstein

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

The Night Pirates

Burglar Bill

The Cat in The Hat

Zorro

• 1960s Costumes
  
• 70s Costumes
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With A
  
• Costume Ideas Beginning With The Letter B
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With The Letter C
  
• Costume Ideas Beginning With The Letter D
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With the Letter E
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With The Letter H
  
• Costume Ideas Starting with the Letter I
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With The Letter J
  
• Costume Ideas Beginning With The Letter K
  
• Costumes Ideas Beginning With The Letter L
  
• Costume Ideas- Beginning With The Letter M
  
• Costume Ideas Starting with the Letter N
  
• Costume Ideas Beginning P
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With S
  
• Costumes Starting With The Letter T
  
• Costume Ideas Starting With the Letter W
  
• Costumes Starting With The Letters X Y & Z
  

You may also want to check out eBay to find yourself a costume...

We'd love to know what you think...

Jasmine on February 13, 2019:

I have lots of blue clothing but I don’t no wat to wear

Party Girl (author) on February 19, 2018:

Hi Olivia, what about going as a Fairytale princess?

Olivia smith on February 18, 2018:

I really need a costume for world book day I have a bronze/gold dress that I could wear what character

Pleeeesssseeeeee hhhhhheeeeeeeelllllllpppppp

Thanks

Charlie on March 06, 2014:

I need to make a choice

Malisha on February 28, 2014:

hi im 12 and i have thought of Matilda-were a red ribbon and pretty dress,

Lily Collins from mortal instruments-wear a leather jacket ,black finger-less gloves, black trousers/leggings and on the side-silver ring and black belt.

Anna on February 24, 2014:

Omg I have no idea what to be hhhhhheeelllllpppppp

lyra on February 08, 2014:

i am proper good at designing clothes but this has helped m so much, i get knocks on my door every day for me to make clothes. not just costumes but any clothes, each day i get about 120 pounds.

SO THANKS SO MUCHHHHH

jjkk on August 18, 2013:

This year I don't care about the topic im 11 and I need something to go as please help

kinkinkini765 on March 07, 2013:

help me i dont know who to be

u are nice on March 06, 2013:

hii i need help for book dayyy what shall i beeeee?????? I have a red spotty dress but i dont know what story that is fromm helpp me pleaseeee!!!!!

COOLKIDDO on March 03, 2013:

I really need a book character costume for world book day on Thursday and can't really decide . I am a big Jacqueline Wilson fan so that could help.

I also know it's hard to think of good ones so here's a few:

-Hermione Granger/ Harry Potter/Dumbledore/Voldemort

-Sleepovers friends (by JW)

-Somebody out of Little Darlings (by JW)

-Just William

-Horrid Henryv

- A series f unfortunate events

-Willy Wonka

-Mr/Mrs Twit

-Matilda

-Tracy Beaker (Jacqueline W)

freddie pinck on February 28, 2013:

i am going as sno9wite an lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooopooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

Try this post we have set up, it may help you, and good luck!

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

As I have posted on some other peoples comments, try this page we have set up, it may help you - Good luck!

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

Try this page, we have tried to give as many book characters that we can think about...

http://www.props-n-frocks.co.uk/fancy-dress-ideas/...

lilly on February 27, 2013:

if you daughter gets a bff they can go as thing 1 and thing 2 from the cat in the hat

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

Brilliant! We love people like you, keep dressing up and keep smiling!!!

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

Try this page, we set it up to give you even more book character ideas... http://www.props-n-frocks.co.uk/fancy-dress-ideas/...

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

that's really great if you have the time. Unfortunately most of us are running around like headless chickens!

Party Girl (author) on February 27, 2013:

Take a look at this information page we have set up, it has so many costume ideas...

chloe on February 26, 2013:

I am 13 and i don't know what to wear i don't want to get embarresed my friends have chosen theirs it's this coming Friday!!!! I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

Kate on February 21, 2013:

Help me i want to look the best

Millie on February 08, 2013:

Hahaha all these 10 year olds posting about being too old for stupid costumes and me and my best friend are 17 and going as thing 1 and thing 2

natasha on February 06, 2013:

i think finding a costume is difficult,I NEED HELP FIMDING ONE QUICKLY.

Op shop on February 02, 2013:

Believe it or not I know heaps of people who find complete out fits from the Salvation Army/op shops

zahra on January 29, 2013:

hi i have to dress up as any book character but it has to be a book ten be made into a film

evie on November 26, 2012:

its world book day at school and i dont know what to dress up as please HELP ME ! thank you :)

Bethany on September 10, 2012:

I need a costume (quite simple but not common) for book week at school...It needs to be a book character (obviously)

I'm 11 btw...

phoebe on August 22, 2012:

hi i would suggest these

(mostly for girls)

- princess

- angel

- vampire

- pipi longstockings

- hoola girl

- Cheerleader

- alice in wonderland

- school girl

- popstar

- supergirl

HOPE THIS HELPS

BY BY

Emily on August 14, 2012:

I don't know what to wear I'm thinking about pocahontas

Party Girl (author) on June 29, 2012:

What about a Gangster from Bugsy Malone, I know this is not strictly a 'book' but there must be a book written about it. all you'd need to do is purchase a cheap trilby hat.

Amanda on June 13, 2012:

My 9 year old wants to wear his suit for book week. Need help thinking of a good book character I could turn him into in his little suit.

@@$#m! on May 08, 2012:

i need to choose a good book character for school, it's a COMPETITION, and i need to win it.

please HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zoe on March 26, 2012:

cool!!!

louromano on March 25, 2012:

Wonderful information. Thanks for sharing.

chloe on March 19, 2012:

HELP WHAT CAN I DO?

nono on March 12, 2012:

what do dress up as i am black

Lily on March 07, 2012:

Hi my name is Lily and im 11 years old i was thinking of going as anime character (ya know crazy hair and bright coloured cothes)but maaaaaybe that's a tad much for school so i need ideas

Shen on March 07, 2012:

My daughters 11 and we are struggling to find something to wear what we can make at home can you help me please??

Emma on March 06, 2012:

You could go as a spider,black clothes and tights stuffed with newspaper stuck on at the side it's cheap and easy to do

Emily on March 03, 2012:

I have no idea of what I can go as...maybe I could go as Little Red Riding Hood or Fantastic Mr Fox.

mm on February 29, 2012:

is it possible to go as a vampire from twighlight

poop on February 29, 2012:

9 year old girl needs your help i haved nothing to dress as

EVE on February 28, 2012:

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR WORLD BOOK DAY IT IS ON THURSDAY AHHHH HELP

karen on February 28, 2012:

amazing outfit my child would love to wear the first one for world book day tomorrow

lucy on February 28, 2012:

miss piggy is a great idea

Sadie on February 28, 2012:

Cant think of an idea what do u put on if you want to go as daizy star??????? Help please?

Kid costume

:) on February 28, 2012:

Any ideas??! Teen girl costume?

Flower on February 28, 2012:

i dunno what to wear help

got any ideas

Amy on February 28, 2012:

Two twins in my class are going as the twins of double act

girly on February 28, 2012:

omg i cant think of anything to where!!!!!!

Neda Dousa on February 28, 2012:

yo i hate dressing up it is sooo boring but i have to do it this friday (world book day)

allie on February 28, 2012:

i dont know

nnnnn on February 28, 2012:

hello

chloe on February 27, 2012:

i am freaking out right now!

need a lots of help and only 2 days left

HHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!

Isabelle on February 27, 2012:

Ok guys here r some ideas

Alice

Blue dress

White apron

Black/blue bow

White socks

Black shoes

Wizard of oz

Same as Alice just red shoes

Naughty school girl

School uniform messed uP

Isabelle on February 27, 2012:

Ok guys here r some ideas

Alice

Blue dress

White apron

Black/blue bow

White socks

Black shoes

Wizard of oz

Same as Alice just red shoes

Naughty school girl

School uniform messed uP

Alyx on February 27, 2012:

Hi thanks for all the great ideas.I think i might go as a st.trinian because i'm 12 ans i don't really want to go as a princess or little kid character.

if ur looking for ideas here are some :

st.trinians

twins from st clares

pipi longstocking

malory towers

a character from midsummer nights dream

dress up as ur-self then make a little book about ur-self

hope these helped u :)

Rosi on February 27, 2012:

I'm going as Pippi longstocking (but cheating in a way i'm going to tie my hair in plaits and wear stripy tights)

you could also go as

- st trinians (very popular)

-alice in wonderland

-tracy beaker

-harry potter

-Matilda

i find it really dificult and i really hate it these are a few i use to get away with wearing the least costume... hope it helps :)x

sharleen on February 27, 2012:

i want to dress up as a oompa loompa

poppy on February 27, 2012:

hi im poppy i am ten i want to go as the 3 little pigs with my friends molly and tabs. BUT I CANT FIND A COSTUME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

urrm on February 27, 2012:

i have no clue on what to dress up as so ummmm please gimme some ideas

Thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

rosie on February 27, 2012:

HELP need a coustume in 3 days :-[

j a c k on February 27, 2012:

just wear something funny

STUCK4IDEAS!!! on February 26, 2012:

i CANT THINK OF AN IDEA!!!!!!????? ANY HELP??? IT'S IN 4 DAYS

HANNAH on February 26, 2012:

AHHHHHH! WHAT SHALL I WEAR FOR BOOK DAY

Eleanor on February 26, 2012:

i thought thaat i could dress up as a person from holes orange overalls,spade, toy lizard,rub sand on face. by the way ima girl aged 11

well that's what imm gonna be

u could be a goddess

red riding hood

Camacazi from how to train your dragon

the tooth fairy

sherlock holmes-my bro is dressing up as him

John Watson

Hermione

Cho Chang

a hobbit

fairy

princess

dragon

hope that helps!

julie on February 25, 2012:

hey,my daughter dressed up as Mary Poppins last year and won!! Really simple to do...we went to second hand shop and got a hat,sprayed it black,she wore an old blouse of mine with a red necktie,my mums old black skirt and jacket and we put sugar on a spoon and wrapped it in clingfilm,she had a bottle of medicine in a carpet bag and carried an umbrella!! she was brilliant!!

I go 2 downsbrook on February 23, 2012:

Oh I need help now cuz i have 2 dress up next week

jo on February 23, 2012:

i need am idea for my daughter for book day she has to go as a character from a charles dickens book

BIG SIS on February 22, 2012:

Help! Any ideas for a five year old!

person on February 22, 2012:

ahhhhhhhhhhhh dunno what 2 wear!

Party Girl (author) on February 22, 2012:

Have you checked our page full of world Book Day costume ideas http://www.props-n-frocks.co.uk/children.php We have plenty of stock and hopefully you will find something suitable for her. You can always call us on 01245 327156

smartie! on February 20, 2012:

HELP !! what can i be on world book day i need some iders? i have these to help u out if ur stuck-

Wheres Wally

Little Red Riding Hood

Princess

Farie/Angle

Pirats

Smurf

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Cat in the Hat

Muppets

... Disney

Wizard of Wavley Places

Tiger

Vampires

Toy Story

Godielocks

Three Bears

Big Bad Wolf

Fantastic Mr Fox

Matilda

Harry Potter Characters

???????????????????????

I DONT NO HELP ME CHOSSE!!

jaquline wilson fan!! on February 20, 2012:

Hi i have no ider what to dress up as on world book day andits only a few weeks away!!! i am a big fan of Jaquline wilson book and wouldent mind going as- My sister jodie, Candy floss, midnight (i forgot her name) the girls from the book slepover and go in ur pjs. i also like Vampire books like twilight and Vampire Diaries so i wouldent mind going as bella from twilight or Elena from vampire diares! Do u guys have any iders??

Ps- here's one nobody has thought of yet Wheres Wally Characters you just have to get a stripy top blue jeans 3D Glasses that you get from the cinema and pop out the lens then black shoes its chep and cherful LOL.

maryamm on February 15, 2012:

help!help! i can not find anything for my young daughter.....

Gabby on February 07, 2012:

Helpp! need a costume fast! maybe like a wizard of oz one?

aaaa!! on February 02, 2012:

aaaaaa!!!!! Book Character Day is tomorrow and my boys can't decide!!!!!!

masurah on February 02, 2012:

hey im a girl and i need help defenetley ot a princess i am a girly girl but also a om boy HELP

ORYVIGB on January 31, 2012:

hi im 12 and at my school we r not allowed to go as st trinians and it has to be a well known character but unique and i cant think of any thing!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!

p.s.want to go as hermione but someone already took it:-(

p.s.also it has to be a BOOK character.

abby on January 28, 2012:

right i am 11 and have some ideas one is were normal clothes and be a muggle from harry potter, were school clothes and be a st trinian and yes this is a book, were pajamas and be from the sleepover club

Mum of Four on January 25, 2012:

I am going to dress my 8 year old as Matilda: red hair ribbon, blue school dress, white socks, black shoes. Easy. Maybe a china faced doll, books and some chocolates as accessories.

cherry2sweet on January 22, 2012:

NO COSTUMES FOR ME AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Georgia. on January 20, 2012:

im 12 and looking for a snow-white costume [dont ask] but i can only find costumes that are too young for me or too old, HELP?

siobhan on January 16, 2012:

im 11 and i think me and my mate are going as Oopa lumpas but you could go as...

a character from twilight

101 dalmations (crulela or pups)

alice in wonderland

wizard of oz

btw because yor aged 10 to 14 dont mean you cant go as something fun i mean come on im 11 and being a Oopla lumpa it wil be such a LOL moment!!!

sharon on November 06, 2011:

we found some great costumes I love the girl costumes aspeshily

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cutefunnybunny9 on November 03, 2011:

what about going as the saucepan man from the adventures of the faraway tree

T on October 17, 2011:

Pocchinos

whaaaaaa! on October 11, 2011:

this is silly the costume day is tomorrow its not like i have time to get my mum to buy all this i would rather go in uniform! btw i'm 10

bubbles on September 19, 2011:

im ten i dont want to look like a baby i meam who wants to be a prinsses at this age id rather be a chesse sanwitch than a little icle baby i have an idea we could be michail jacson hannah montanah or karate kid

Alannah on September 02, 2011:

Not what im looking but maybe for other parties

but good website!!!x

shanel on September 01, 2011:

hi its me again.awesome idea get dressed as villain from 101 DALMATIONS

amy on August 22, 2011:

i was scarecrow from dorthy of oz and i won

:D on August 20, 2011:

I wanted to go as Esmeralda from the Hunchback of Notre dame but I only have a red gypsy style skirt I look like a gypsy but not really Esmeralda, any other gypsy ideas?

E on August 20, 2011:

All of these costumes are a bit babyish for me. I'm 12 and have to dress up for school.

sal on August 18, 2011:

Love snow white, think I might come as the Apple :D

annabel :) on August 17, 2011:

pippi longstocking,bert from mary poppins,nancy drew,little red riding hood,cat in the hat,wolverine (i dunno how but a person in my class is him),a witch thing 1 or thing 2 ,3 little pigs or wolf,heidi,matilda harry potter,hermione granger,etc.im 11 and nancy drew.

shanel on August 17, 2011:

i've got another really good idea if your a girl dress up as the good witch from wizard of oz but if you have a younger brother or sister that goes to the same school as you get them dressed as one of the munchkins...not only will it be a good idea but it would also be an lol moment for parents,teachers and students

shanel on August 12, 2011:

i have a 9 year old sister and i had to help her with book week...im 11 and i picked her to be like cinderella because i noticed my mums wedding pettycoat in a box...so married woman with kids get out your pettycoats

I'LL HELP! on June 20, 2011:

Hey guys, I've done these for years! If you're struggling I'll get back to you ASAP! Don't hesitate to ask!