Last Minute DIY World Book Day Costume Ideas

World Book Day 2019 is just around the corner and you have left it until last minute, sound familiar? You won't be the first and you certainly won't be the last. Life can get pretty hectic and we forget. That last minute dash to the supermarket was not worth the trip as frantic parents have completely wiped out the costume department. Now you have to come up with a last minute home made creation. But you simply have no idea how to transform your child into their favourite book character. Don't worry, grab some wine because I may have some ideas that may inspire you to get creative so your child can impress all their friends for world book day. First, go and look in your cupboards, wardrobes and the overfilling draw of stuff, that I know every single person has! You may even find that putting something together may not be as hard as you think. 



1. The Cat in the Hat

Are you looking for the easiest yet most spot on costume for World Book Day? A simple and easy DIY Cat in the Hat costume for your young one. All you need are some white ribbons, a red bow tie a white shirt and black trousers. For the hat you'll need an old can of baked bean tin, red and white felt, red head band. Start by rolling an empty baked beans tin in a piece of white felt and glue it in place and fold the ends in. Then cut a couple of long strips of red felt and start wrap them around the tin. Then stick the mini top hat onto a red headband. Simple and easy The Cat in the Hat costume!

2. Miffy

Now these are a collection of Children's books that will make you feel nostalgic and I am sure you'll remember this white rabbit from your own childhood. Miffy is a small female rabbit in a series of picture books drawn and written by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. For this super easy costume idea you'll need a blue dress, white leggings or tights and some rabbit ears. If you don't have some bunny ears already cut a long thin strip from the card. This will be the headband, and will wrap around your child’s head. Draw two long ovals on a separate sheet of paper to form the ears and glue the ears to the inside of the strip towards the back of the circle. Then use an eyeliner or face paint to draw a little cross on their nose or their mouth. We preferred adding the little cross on her nose even though it’s actually a mouth. 


3. Matilda 

Roald Dahl. The BFG, Matilda and Willy Wonka are some of the best loved characters in children's literature. I remember reading these book as a child and getting lost in the adventures, there aren't many of us who can honestly say that they haven't read a Roald Dahl book. So many people love Roald Dahl for his style of writing, speaking to children as worldly and aware and offering them stories in which children triumph over the villainous adults. One of the easiest costumes ideas has to be Matilda! All you need is a blue dress or top, a book and red ribbon. That's it!

4. Witch from Room on The Broom. 

When it comes to books for children, Julia Donaldson can't be beaten and you'll find so many great stories in her many collections that are sure to be some bed time favourites. Do you have a witches hat in a dress up box? We have a witch dress from a couple of halloweens ago and thankfully the dress was green and purple, it's fate! All you need now is a red top, jumper or cardigan and stick that over the top of the dress. Add some funky tights or school tights and pair with boots. Not forgetting to add a witch wart on the end of their nose. You could even use a sweeping brush for a broom and an old bucket for the cauldron. 


5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar 

Who doesn’t love The Very Hungry Caterpillar, one of Eric Carle’s most beloved characters? It’s a perfect option for any bookworm. Do you have anything green? Any kind of green would be fine, you just need some green leggings or trousers, green t-shirt and some green tights. Then stuff the tights and attach then to the back of the t-shirt and leggings to make some caterpillar legs. For the Caterpillar, for ease try and create a mask using craft foam (red, yellow, green, purple, black) glue, elastic and scissors. First cut out a red circle, then glue two small yellow circles for the eyes, not forgetting to cut out eye holes too. Then glue two smaller green circles on top of the yellow. Cut a circle in the black craft foam for the nose stick to the mask. Once dry add the elastic and now you should have your own Very Hungry Caterpillar mask is complete.

Do you like these last minute world book day ideas? What are your little ones dressing up as?

6 comments

  1. What lovely sweet and simple ideas! I particularly like the Miffy and Hungry caterpillar ideas.

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  2. Aww what lovely World Book Day costume ideas. I especially love the miffy one! So simple but yet very effective. Hope you’ve all had a lovely day xx

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  3. These are great ideas. My two decided they didn't want to dress up this year. My daughter is getting a bit old now for it (12) and my son (10) couldm't make up his mind

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  4. We were thinking of doing miffy but in all honesty we want something that is quick and simple to do.

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  5. what a fantastic ideas! our school decided not to do it this year ( yey) but they still of course will be celebrating world book day x

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  6. Great idea! We were Matilda and the Snow Queen this year which were easy to pull together

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