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.
9. Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
Another easy, last minute World Book Day costume for younger readers is Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs. If your child is already a dino-lover, and you have a sand bucket lying around all you need to complete this outfit is regular clothes – like a red jumper. | Puffin
10. Ballerina
If your child is a ballerina in training, there are plenty of books which follow dancers from Angelina Ballerina to Ballet Shoes. If you’re hoping to skip out on the animal ears and face make up, then why not help your young one dress up as Posy Fossil from Noel Streatfeild’s 1936 novel. | Africa Studio - stock.adobe.com
11. Witch
Another last minute World Book Day idea which could apply to many books, if you have a leftover witch Halloween costume – or even just spare card to create an appropriately pointy hat – your child could soon transform themselves into characters from The Worst Witch to Room on the Broom. | Evgeniya Grande - stock.adobe.com
12. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
If you visit Penguin’s website, they have a handy guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costumes which mostly use clothes your child should already have at home. For example, a jumper or checked shirt paired with jeans can make an easy last minute World Book Day costume for Charlie. In addition, there are printable templates for Willy Wonka’s Golden Tickets. | Penguin / Puffin