If World Book Day has crept up on you and left you frantically trying to figure out a last minute costume for your child, we can help.
Having been around in the UK and Ireland since 1997, World Book Day looks to encourage young people to discover a love of reading. As part of the event, many schools host costume days for children which can help add to their excitement about reading.
However, for many parents this can mean a mad dash the night before to assemble an appropriate costume.
In recent years, organisers have offered alternatives such as wearing pyjamas to help alleviate pressure on parents but if you’re looking for advice on pulling together something using what you already have at home, here are 20 easy, last minute World Book Day costume ideas.
5. Peter Rabbit
Perhaps more suitable for younger readers, you can create a last minute World Book Day costume for Peter Rabbit quite easily. Simply pair a blue jacket, blazer or cardigan with a light coloured top of some variety with whatever trousers you have to hand and you have a solid base to add some rabbit ears and a carrot to. If you don’t already have a rabbit headband lying around, there are a number of online guides on how best to create one at home which could prove useful if you’re scrambling to sort something out. | Warne & Co
6. Matilda
If your child is a Matilda fan, you have several options on how to dress. The first would be to use their school uniform to recreate the Roald Dahl character as she appears in the Musical movie on Netflix. Alternatively you could also use regular everyday clothes to become Matilda as she appears in the 1996 film – just remember a red ribbon. | Sony Pictures / TriStar Pictures / Dan Smith / Netflix Photo: DAN SMITH/NETFLIX
7. Dennis the Menace
This iconic children’s character is well known for his mischievous ways, but Dennis the Menace isn’t particularly difficult to create a last minute costume for. A red and black stripy t-shirt would work best here, but if you don’t have one there’s no need to worry. A plain red t-shirt can work in the pinch, if you’re willing to get creative and use items such as duck tape to make your own stripes. With black bottoms, you’ll have your very own Menace running around in no time. | DC Thomson
8. Harry Potter
If your child wants to Polyjuice themselves into a Harry Potter character, you may just have gotten lucky. Building from a base of their usual school uniform, but perhaps with a different tie, you can level up this relatively simple costume idea by taking a walk to find the perfect stick – sorry, wand – or even DIY elements such as Harry’s scar or glasses using items you have at home. | zamuruev - stock.adobe.com