World Book Day is a magical time for children across the UK to celebrate their love of books by dressing up as their favourite literary characters. But buying a costume can be expensive, and sometimes, the best outfits are the ones you make yourself! Here are some simple, budget-friendly DIY costume ideas for World Book Day.

The Tiger from ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea

An orange outfit with black stripes or a black outfit with orange stripes, crafted using fabric paint or tape, and transform your child into a charming tiger. Face paint can enhance the look.

Pepper pig

With the announcement of Mummy Pig, that she is pregnant with her third piglet, how about dressing up as Pepper. Pink tights a red dress and a mask is all you need. See more at Penguin books

Little Miss Sunshine

Transform your child into the cheerful Little Miss Sunshine with minimal effort. You’ll need: A yellow t-shirt or jumper; Cardboard; Yellow paint and a black pen; Yellow wool for hair, plus some red ribbon for the ties

Craft a simple headpiece using the cardboard and paint to represent Little Miss Sunshine’s face, and attach the yellow wool to mimic her hair. This straightforward costume captures the essence of the beloved character.

Alice from ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Bring the classic character of Alice to life with items you might already have at home: a blue dress; a white apron or pinafore; a hair bow

Harry Potter or Hermione Granger

Embrace the magic of Hogwarts with these iconic characters.

A black cape (often found in Halloween costumes) A white shirt School trousers or a skirt; A stick to serve as a wand A striped tie or scarf

For Harry: glasses (which can be made using a template) and a red face paint or lip pencil to draw his forehead scar

The Snail and the Whale

A black t-shirt; White fabric paint to draw the snail’to attach to the shoulder; A stuffed whale toys trail message; A toy snail (from £1.29 at Amazon)

 

Mr. Strong

Celebrate the Mr. Men series with a costume that’s both bold and easy to create: A red top and trousers; A green hat; A cardboard box covered in red paper with black eyes and mouth drawn on one side, with holes cut out for the head, arms, and legs

The Gruffalo

Brown clothing (jumper and leggings or trousers); Cardboard and felt to make ears and facial features; Face paint for the Gruffalo’s distinctive orange eyes and black nose; A small, handmade tail attached to the trousers

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A green top and leggings; ifferent coloured fabric or paper circles stuck onto the top to resemble segments A red hat or headband with green antennae made from pipe cleaners

Paddington Bear

A blue coat or jumper; A red hat (a floppy sunhat); A small suitcase as a prop; A handmade ‘Please look after this bear’ tag

Where’s Wally?

A red and white striped top; Blue jeans; Round glasses (real or made from cardboard); A red and white bobble hat

Tips for Making DIY Costumes

  • Use what you have – Check your child’s wardrobe for clothes that match the character.
  • Get crafty – Cardboard, felt, and fabric scraps can be turned into amazing accessories.
  • Face paint adds magic – A little face paint can transform a simple outfit into a great costume.
  • Props make a difference – A book, toy, or handmade accessory helps bring the character to life.

DIY costumes are a fun way to get children involved in the creative process while celebrating their favourite books. Enjoy making and dressing up this World Book Day!

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.