So you’ve just been told your child needs a costume for World Book Day and you’re tearing your hair out trying to come up with an original costume idea… Well, help is at hand!
We’ve scoured our huge range of fancy dress to bring you the ultimate round-up of World Book Day costume ideas for kids. From newbies to old classic, there are 40+ book character costume ideas to choose from so you’re guaranteed to find something suitable!
Willy Wonka
What would World Book day be without Roald Dahl? His books are a treasure trove of World Book Day costume ideas and this Willy Wonka costume would be perfect for any child who’s a fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
Charlie Bucket
Another old favourite is Charlie Bucket! Perfect for kids with a sweet tooth who just LOVE chocolate, this costume even comes with a golden ticket!
Augustus Gloop
For an original World Book Day costume idea for kids, how about this brand new Augustus Gloop costume? Complete the look by smearing some chocolate on your child’s face!
Golden Ticket
The golden ticket plays as big a part in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as any of the characters, so why not dress up as it? This new golden ticket costume is a really easy outfit for anyone pushed for time getting their kids ready in the morning (i.e. most parents!)
Fantastic Mr Fox
Whether you’re a fan of the book or the film (or both), Fantastic Mr Fox makes a brilliant World Book Day costume for kids! He’s elegant and suave and if you’re feeling creative, you could even have a go at making the fox mask yourself!
BFG
He’s the Big Friendly Giant and one of our favourite World Book Day costume ideas for children! This brilliant costume comes with a pair of giant ears and a horn.
Sophie
If you fancy making the BFG a group World Book Day costume for siblings, dress one sibling as the BFG and the other as Sophie!
Matilda
Matilda is a classic Roald Dahl costume idea and we couldn’t imagine World Book Day without her! This is a really easy and cute costume for kids with brown hair!
Miss Trunchbull
If your child loves getting into character, then this Miss Trunchbull costume is the one for them! It even comes with a monobrow!
Oompa Loompa
If your child wants to go all out with a crazy costume for World Book Day, how about dressing them up as an oompa loompa? All you need is bright orange face paint to complete this iconic look!
There’s a version of this costume with trousers or a skirt so you can choose whatever your child prefers.
The Witches
Don’t want to buy a costume that will only be worn once? Dress your child as a character from Roald Dahl’s The Witches and you can re-use the outfit for Halloween!
The Enormous Crocodile
For a really easy World Book Day costume for kids, how about going as The Enormous Crocodile? All you need is this crocodile onesie and you’re ready to go, making this an amazing last-minute World Book Day costume idea.
Mrs Twit
Next up in our ultimate round-up of World Book Day costume ideas is The Twits! This makes a brilliant group costume and it’s great for kids who love getting into character and playing a baddie!
Mr Twit
This Mr Twit costume comes with a wig and beard for an instant World Book Day transformation. You could even put some crumbs in the beard to make it more realistic.
James and the Giant Peach
Another easy World Book Day costume idea (and one that’s less thought of than others) is James and the Giant Peach! Just throw it on over some black clothes and your child will be instantly recognisable!
Where’s Wally
Where’s Wally is a good World Book Day costume idea for anyone who’s pushed for time. You don’t need any complicated face paint and your child will be instantly recognisable!
This costume also comes with a skirt if that’s what your child would prefer!
The Gruffalo
Love the Gruffalo? This onesie is a super easy World Book Day costume and perfect for any child who loves the Julia Donaldson book!
Harry Potter
Is your child potty for Potter? This Harry Potter costume has everything your child needs to look like they’re ready to board the Hogwarts Express including a robe, Griffindor scarf, black round glasses and a wand!
For a Harry Potter that’s a little different, how about a quidditch robe?
Newt Scamander
If your child’s a fan of the latest addition to the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, how about dressing up as Newt Scamander? After all, it was a book before it was a film!
Death Eater
If your child would rather dress up as a baddie than a goodie, how about this Death Eater costume inspired by the Harry Potter villains?
Little Red Riding Hood
If your child is a fan of fairytales, they’ll love this Little Red Riding costume for World Book Day. Just complete the look with a wicker basket like this!
Wolf
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?! This wolf onesie makes an easy World Book Day costume and it’s a fun homage to the baddie in Little Red Riding Hood!
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is a treasure trove of weird and wonderful characters to dress up as for World Book Day. This Alice in Wonderland costume is an easy outfit and it’s adorable!
The Mad Hatter
If your child’s up for dressing a little wacky for World Book Day 2018, then this Mad Hatter costume is for them! Complete this crazy look with brightly coloured eye shadow if you’ve got time in the morning.
Queen of Hearts
If your child loves the bossy queen from Alice in Wonderland, then they’ll love this Queen of Hearts costume for World Book Day! Complete the look with her iconic face paint if you’ve got time.
Cheshire Cat
If your child’s not afraid of standing out from the crowd, then this Cheshire Cat costume will make a brilliant outfit for World Book Day. Go even bolder with a bright purple wig!
Playing Card
For an easy World Book Day costume for kids that takes little to no time to put together, how about this playing card costume inspired by Alice in Wonderland?
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee
If your child is the class joker and wants a funny costume for World Book Day, how about teaming up with a friend and dressing up as Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee?
The White Rabbit
This white rabbit costume, inspired by the character from Alice in Wonderland, is a quick and easy costume to throw on in the morning, which means your child definitely won’t be late for their World Book Day celebrations! Complete the look with a pocket watch like this.
Mary Poppins
She’s practically perfect in every way and was the star of a book before the film, which makes Mary Poppins a wonderful book day costume. Add a black umbrella as the finishing touch!
Pinocchio
Another brilliant fairytale costume for World Book Day is Pinocchio! He was also a book before he became the much-loved film and this costume even comes with a plastic nose to put on when he’s been telling lies!
The Hobbit
Here’s the perfect costume for all young Lord of the Rings fans or kids with curly hair… Bilbo Baggins!
Dorothy
Follow the yellow brick road to another brilliant World Book Day costume for kids – Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! Complete this look with plaited hair and a wicker basket like this one that has Toto the dog in it!
The Tin Man
If you’ve got two kids who need a costume, how about making a Wizard of Oz group costume? Dress one child as Dorothy and the other as the Tin Man!
Paddington Bear
For a kids’ World Book Day costume that will get lots of awws, go for Paddington Bear! There’s been lots of love for Paddington with the release of the two recent films but he was the star of a book first!
Mr Bump
If your child is a fan of the Mr Men books, then this costume is for them! This Mr Bump costume makes a really quick and easy outfit and your child can have loads of fun getting into character!
Little Miss Sunshine
This is the perfect World Book Day costume for kids who are a little ray of sunshine or love the Little Miss books!
Horrid Henry
Kids with a mischievous streak will love this Horrid Henry costume – and parents will love how quick and easy it is!
The Cat in the Hat
The day after World Book Day is Dr Seuss Day so what better way to celebrate both occasions than with this amazing Cat in the Hat costume? It comes with a jumpsuit, hat and gloves – just add face paint!
Thing 1/2
Fancy a group costume? Grab a friend and dress up as Dr Seuss’ Thing 1 and Thing 2! This onesie comes with 1 and 2 stickers so you can dress up as whichever one you want!
Little Bo Peep
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them! This adorable costume comes with a dress, bloomers and a hat and is perfect for fans of the much-loved nursery rhyme.
Catniss Everdeen
Last but not least is Catniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games – the perfect costume for older children who are fans of the books!
We hope these ideas have helped you find the perfect World Book Day costume for your child! Check out our full range of costumes HERE or stay on our blog for even more inspiration!
- Roald Dahl Costume Ideas for World Book Day
- Alice in Wonderland Costume Ideas for World Book Day
- DIY Fantastic Mr Fox Mask
