Book Week has somehow arrived, the parade is tomorrow and you haven’t organised a costume. Don’t panic! These easy last-minute Book Week costumes can be pulled together using ordinary clothes, cardboard, craft supplies and things you probably already have around the house.
Every year, Book Week seems to sneak up on us.
One minute there’s plenty of time to plan something incredible. The next, your child casually mentions at 7pm that they need to dress as a book character in the morning.
Luckily, an impressive Book Week costume doesn’t need to involve sewing, expensive costumes or an emergency trip to the shops.
Some of the most recognisable children’s book characters wear surprisingly ordinary clothes. Add a homemade prop, hat, pair of ears or a little Cricut magic and suddenly you’ve got a costume.
We’ve rounded up 36 easy Book Week costumes you can create using things you probably already own, with ideas for younger children, primary-school kids and tweens.
1. Miss Trunchbull from Matilda
Miss Trunchbull is a brilliant choice if you have a grey jumper or hoodie, dark pants and a belt.
- Grey hoodie or sweatshirt
- Black or navy pants
- Brown or black belt
- Boots
- Hair pulled back
- A very stern expression
If you have a Cricut, you can add 1972 OLYMPICS to the front of the jumper using black heat-transfer vinyl.
We made our own version and it was surprisingly easy. See exactly how we did it in our DIY Miss Trunchbull Costume for Book Week.
2. Matilda
Matilda is one of the easiest Book Week characters to recreate.
- Blue dress
- White cardigan
- White socks
- Black school shoes
- Red ribbon or headband
- A stack of books
No blue dress? A simple school-style dress works too.
Carry a copy of Matilda and the character becomes instantly recognisable.
3. Sophie from The BFG
This may be one of the easiest Book Week costumes ever.
Sophie spends much of The BFG in her nightwear, so start with:
- Pyjamas or a nightie
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Optional glasses
- A jar labelled “Dreams”
Decorate an empty jar with stars or battery fairy lights for a simple Dream Jar prop.
4. The BFG
Raid Dad’s wardrobe for this one.
- Oversized shirt
- Baggy pants
- Vest
- Big shoes
- DIY giant ears
Make the ears from cardboard or coloured paper and attach them to a headband.
If you have time, make a simple dream-catching trumpet from rolled cardboard.
5. Charlie Bucket
Charlie is perfect when you have almost nothing prepared.
- Plain shirt
- Jumper
- Dark pants
- Old jacket
Then make the one prop that matters – a Golden Ticket.
Cut a rectangle from cardboard or thick paper, colour it gold or cover it in foil and write “Golden Ticket” across the front.
6. Willy Wonka
If you have a colourful jacket hiding in the wardrobe, you’re halfway there.
- Purple, red or burgundy jacket
- Bright shirt
- Bow tie
- Dark pants
- Hat
- Walking stick or cane
You could also carry a homemade Golden Ticket or chocolate bar.
7. Where’s Wally?
This classic is popular for good reason.
- Red-and-white striped top
- Jeans or blue pants
- Red beanie
- Round glasses
If you don’t own a striped shirt, stick red strips of paper or removable tape across a white shirt.
8. Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Possibly the ultimate low-effort costume.
Greg essentially wears normal clothes.
- White T-shirt
- Black shorts or pants
- Backpack
- Copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
To make it more obvious, create a simple Greg face mask from white cardboard using the familiar black line-drawing style.
9. Dog Man
Blue clothes instantly give you the foundation for a DIY Dog Man costume.
- Blue shirt or jumper
- Blue pants
- Blue cap
- Homemade yellow badge
- Cardboard or felt dog ears
- Tail
Cut a simple police-style badge from yellow cardboard and attach it to the shirt.
10. The Cat in the Hat
You don’t need the full costume for this one.
- Black shirt
- Black pants
- White gloves if you have them
- Red bow tie
Then make the famous striped hat from red and white cardboard.
11. Thing 1 or Thing 2
This is especially handy for siblings or friends.
- Red shirt
- Red pants or leggings
- White paper circle
Write THING 1 or THING 2 on the circle and attach it to the front of the shirt.
12. Harry Potter
Chances are you already have most of this.
- White school shirt
- Dark pants or skirt
- Black jumper
- School tie
- Black shoes
Add round glasses, draw a small lightning-bolt scar on the forehead and make a wand from a stick, chopstick or rolled paper.
13. Medusa from Percy Jackson
If your older child loves the Percy Jackson series, Medusa is a brilliant costume that’s much easier to make than it looks.
- Black or dark dress
- Dark top and pants
- Gold or green accessories
- Headband
- Lightweight plastic or rubber snakes
The snakes are the feature that makes the costume work. Attach lightweight toy snakes around a headband so they appear to be twisting through the hair.
See our complete DIY Medusa Costume from Percy Jackson for Book Week for the full how-to.
14. Paddington Bear
A coat and hat do most of the work.
- Blue or navy coat
- Red hat
- Boots
- Small suitcase or bag
Make a luggage tag from cardboard and write PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS BEAR.
15. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This is a great option for younger children.
- Green clothes
- Red hat or beanie
Make antennae using a headband and pipe cleaners, then add coloured paper circles to a green shirt if you want to recreate the caterpillar’s body.
16. The Gruffalo
Brown clothes are the perfect starting point.
Add homemade:
- Purple prickles
- Orange eyes
- Black tongue
- White tusks
You don’t need to recreate the entire Gruffalo. A few distinctive features are usually enough.
17. The Rainbow Fish
The Rainbow Fish is perfect for a colourful Book Week costume, and the basic outfit can start with clothes you already have.
- Blue or aqua clothing
- Blue leggings or pants
- Plain blue top
Create the famous scales from coloured paper, metallic wrapping paper, aluminium foil, iridescent card or old shiny gift bags.
Cut the material into overlapping scale shapes and make sure you include one or two especially shiny silver scales.
See our DIY Rainbow Fish Costume for Book Week for the complete step-by-step tutorial.
18. Fern from Charlotte’s Web
Fern Arable is an ideal last-minute choice because most of her costume can come straight from the wardrobe.
Try:
- Checked or plaid shirt
- Denim overalls, jeans or shorts
- Simple boots or sneakers
- Hair in plaits or pigtails
- Toy pig
The easiest way to make the costume instantly recognisable is to carry a small toy pig as Wilbur.
If you don’t have overalls, jeans and a checked shirt work just as well.
You could also make a little cardboard barn sign or carry a copy of Charlotte’s Web.
See our DIY Fern Costume from Charlotte’s Web for Book Week for the full costume guide.
19. Room on the Broom Witch
If you already have a Halloween witch costume, this is incredibly easy.
- Black dress or clothes
- Witch hat
- Broom
- Red plait or ribbon
Carry a copy of Room on the Broom and you’re done.
20. Hairy Maclary
Dress entirely in black and add:
- Black dog ears
- Black tail
- Optional black nose
Make the ears from cardboard or felt and attach them to a headband.
21. Slinky Malinki
The same basic black outfit can become Slinky Malinki instead.
- Black clothes
- Cat ears
- Tail
- Drawn-on whiskers
This is particularly easy if you have cat accessories left over from Halloween.
22. Hot Wheels Car
This one is perfect for a child who wants to dress as something rather than someone.
Start with ordinary dark clothes underneath, then turn a cardboard box into the car.
- Large cardboard box
- Paint or coloured card
- Paper plates or cardboard wheels
- Straps or ribbon
- Optional Cricut vinyl for racing details
Cut openings for the child’s body, decorate the box like a bright race car and attach lightweight wheels to the sides.
See our DIY Hot Wheels Car Costume for Book Week for the full tutorial.
23. Angelina Ballerina
If your child does dance, this may require almost no preparation at all.
- Ballet leotard
- Tutu
- Ballet tights
- Ballet shoes
- Mouse ears
- Tail
Make mouse ears from cardboard if needed.
24. Fancy Nancy
This is the perfect excuse to wear absolutely everything.
- Fancy dress
- Jewellery
- Sunglasses
- Handbag
- Feather boa
- Headband
- Glittery shoes
The more accessories, the better.
25. Olivia the Pig
Start with:
- Red dress
- Black-and-white striped tights or top
- Black shoes
Make pig ears from pink cardboard and attach them to a headband.
26. Giraffes Can’t Dance
Gerald from Giraffes Can’t Dance is another fantastic costume you can make mostly from things you already have.
- Yellow or mustard clothes
- Brown pants or leggings
- Yellow hoodie or T-shirt
- Brown giraffe spots
- Giraffe ears
- Ossicones on a headband
- Tail
If you have a Cricut, the giraffe spots can be cut from brown heat-transfer vinyl and applied to a plain yellow top.
See our DIY Giraffes Can’t Dance Costume for Book Week for the complete how-to.
27. The Paper Bag Princess
One of the best DIY costumes when you genuinely have nothing organised.
Create the famous paper-bag-style dress using brown kraft paper over ordinary clothes.
- Messy hair
- Toy crown
- Optional dragon prop
Make sure anything worn around the body allows plenty of movement and can be removed easily.
28. Alice in Wonderland
- Blue dress
- White apron
- White socks
- Black shoes
- Black headband
No apron? Cut one from an old white pillowcase or piece of fabric.
29. Mr Men or Little Miss Character
Pick whichever character best matches the colour of clothes you already own.
- Little Miss Sunshine – yellow
- Mr Strong – red
- Mr Bump – blue
- Little Miss Naughty – purple
Wear clothing in the right colour and make a large cardboard character face.
30. The Bad Guys
This works particularly well as a group costume.
Dress in dark clothing and make simple animal masks for:
- Mr Wolf
- Mr Snake
- Mr Shark
- Mr Piranha
- Ms Tarantula
31. Thelma the Unicorn
Start with as much pink as possible.
- Pink dress or top
- Pink leggings
- Pink tutu
- Unicorn headband
No unicorn headband? Roll glittery cardboard into a cone and attach it to a headband.
32. Funnybones Skeleton
If you have an old Halloween skeleton costume, Book Week is the perfect opportunity to use it again.
No skeleton costume? Wear black clothes and attach white strips of paper or felt to create simple bones.
33. George from George’s Marvellous Medicine
Use ordinary clothes and carry a homemade bottle labelled GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE.
You could also carry a saucepan or wooden spoon.
34. A Crayon from The Day the Crayons Quit
Choose a colour and dress entirely in it.
Then make a crayon wrapper from cardboard or paper and add a pointed paper hat in the matching colour.
This is especially fun for siblings or groups of friends because everyone can choose a different crayon.
35. Max from Where the Wild Things Are
Start with white or cream clothes.
- Homemade paper crown
- White hood
- Paper or felt ears
- Tail
A white hoodie and pants with the recognisable crown can be enough.
36. Pete the Cat
Start with:
- Blue shirt and pants
- Blue hoodie
- Cat ears
- Tail
Make oversized eyes from cardboard and attach them to a hat or hood.
Easy Book Week Costumes Using School Uniform
If you’ve reached the morning of the parade and haven’t made anything, don’t underestimate what you can do with a school uniform.
A white shirt, skirt, pants, jumper and tie can become:
- Harry Potter
- Hermione Granger
- Ron Weasley
- Matilda
- A character from The Worst Witch
- A school student from almost any children’s novel
The secret is usually the prop.
Glasses and a wand become Harry Potter. A red ribbon and book become Matilda. A handmade badge, hat or book cover can completely change an otherwise ordinary outfit.
Easy Book Week Costumes Using Pyjamas
Pyjamas are another lifesaver.
- Sophie from The BFG
- Wendy from Peter Pan
- Characters from The Polar Express
- Max from Where the Wild Things Are
- Bedtime-story characters
Add slippers, a dressing gown, teddy or book and you’re ready.
Easy Book Week Costumes Using Dance Clothes
Before buying anything, check the dance drawer.
Leotards, tutus and tights can become:
- Angelina Ballerina
- A character from a ballet story
- Fairy characters
- Thelma the Unicorn
- Fancy Nancy
Make the Prop, Not the Whole Costume
If you’re running out of time, this is probably the most useful Book Week rule of all.
Don’t try to recreate every detail of the character.
Instead, choose ordinary clothes that are roughly right and concentrate on one thing that makes the character recognisable.
- Charlie Bucket – Golden Ticket
- Harry Potter – glasses and wand
- Paddington – red hat and suitcase
- Matilda – books and red ribbon
- Miss Trunchbull – 1972 Olympics jumper
- Fern – toy pig
- George – medicine bottle
- Where’s Wally – striped shirt
- Dog Man – ears and badge
- Rainbow Fish – shiny scales
- Medusa – snake headpiece
- Hot Wheels – cardboard car
- Gerald – giraffe spots and ears
- The BFG – giant ears
- Crayon – pointed hat
That one identifying feature often does more than an expensive head-to-toe costume.
What Can You Use to Make a Last-Minute Book Week Costume?
Before heading to the shops, check around the house for:
- Cardboard boxes
- Coloured paper
- Old wrapping paper
- Aluminium foil
- Headbands
- Pipe cleaners
- Ribbon
- Old pillowcases
- Felt
- Fabric scraps
- Face paint
- School uniforms
- Dance costumes
- Halloween costumes
- Hats
- Old belts
- Sunglasses
- Toy animals
- Baskets
- Backpacks
- Old handbags
Then look at the character and ask: What is the one thing people recognise about them?
That’s the part worth making.
Have a Cricut? Book Week Gets Even Easier
A Cricut can turn a plain T-shirt, jumper or hoodie into a costume incredibly quickly.
We’ve used ours for several Book Week costumes because heat-transfer vinyl is perfect for adding logos, words, patterns and simple designs to clothing you already own.
For our Miss Trunchbull costume, we transformed a plain grey hoodie with the distinctive 1972 OLYMPICS design.
Our Rainbow Fish and Giraffes Can’t Dance costumes are also ideal opportunities to use the Cricut for scales, spots and other details.
And for our Babysitters Club costume, the Cricut helped turn basic clothing into something much more recognisable.
More DIY Book Week Costume Ideas
Looking for costumes we’ve actually made? Take a look at our DIY Book Week projects:
- DIY Miss Trunchbull Costume for Book Week
- Babysitters Club Outfit for Book Week
- DIY Rainbow Fish Costume for Book Week
- DIY Medusa Costume from Percy Jackson for Book Week
- DIY Hot Wheels Car Costume for Book Week
- DIY Giraffes Can’t Dance Costume for Book Week
- DIY Fern Costume from Charlotte’s Web for Book Week
- 3D Unicorn Mask Cricut Book Week Costume
- Lion King Costume – DIY Lion Mask
Book Week doesn’t need to mean spending $50 on a costume that gets worn for an hour. Raid the wardrobe, grab some cardboard and concentrate on one recognisable detail. Sometimes the costumes thrown together the night before are the ones kids end up loving the most.
