But let’s be honest – we’ve all felt that sinking feeling when you realise your child is the only one not in fancy dress or doesn’t have the book in hand as you arrive at the school gates. Between buying a costume and a copy of the book, it can get expensive – especially if the book was a long-returned library copy, one you now can’t find, or a film adaptation you want to bring to life.
The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune. These World Book Day costume ideas are quick, easy, and budget-friendly. Many of the books are available second-hand at a fraction of the price, and if you’re feeling crafty, some of the costumes can even be made at home.
When is World Book Day 2026?
It’s Thursday, March 5. Pop it in your calendar now.
Or, if you forget, the educational play experts at Playdale are here with ten of the best DIY World Book Day outfits you can put together in less than five minutes, with items you likely already have at home – perfect for that last-minute scramble.
1. Where’s Wally?
A super-simple costume that’s still seriously cute – simply give your little one a stripy top and a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Bonus points if you can find a stripy hat with a pom-pom on the top – or stick a ball of cotton wool on top.
This costume has the added benefit of essentially being normal clothes, meaning your child is unlikely to be uncomfortable or overheat in an overly complicated costume.
There are Where’s Wally books available on World of Books now from £3.50. Buy three and you get three free, so team up with your parent friends and get a great deal.
2. Miss Trunchbull
From the beloved Roald Dahl book Matilda, Miss Trunchbull is a great character to dress up as for World Book Day. She’s an iconic character in the story, so your little one can have fun playing the part, and her outfit is really simple to put together.
All you need is a pair of black trousers, a grey sweatshirt and a huge belt. Slick your kid’s hair back into a tight, low bun, add a grumpy face and the look is complete.
Matilda by Roald Dahl is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
3. Mr Men & Little Miss
This well-known series offers endless opportunities for easy World Book Day costumes. Whether your little one is a total Mr Greedy, a sunny Little Miss Sunshine or typical Mr Messy, simply dress them head to toe in their chosen character’s dominant colour.
Mr Bump could wear all blue with a few bandages tied around their head or arms, while Little Miss Shy can also wear all blue, with a dusting of bright pink blusher on both cheeks. Mr Happy can dress completely in bright yellow – with a huge smile as the only accessory required.
Mr Men books are available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
4. Violet Beauregarde
We’re thinking specifically of Violet before she becomes a huge blueberry! Another Roald Dahl invention, this time of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory fame, the character of Violet has become known for the bright blue tracksuit she sports in the 2005 film version – so simple to recreate.
To finish off the look, grab some purple or blue eyeshadow and smudge a little across your child’s nose and the tops of their cheeks, to mimic the moment when Violet begins to turn violet.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
5. The Questioneers
The brilliant series of books by Andrea Beaty gives us multiple World Book Day costumes. Have your little one dress up as Ada Twist, a scientist with a red and white spotty dress, white socks and black shoes. You could even add some yellow hair accessories to really complete the look.
You can also go for Rosie Revere, an engineer with a white dress and a red and white spotty headscarf. Or dress up as Iggy Peck, an architect with a black and white patterned jumper, black trousers and a signature pencil behind the ear.
The Questioneers is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
6. Peter Rabbit
This classic Beatrix Potter character makes for a super-simple costume. Just dress your little one in neutral colours – white or brown works best – and then add a blue, button-up jacket on top. Finally, add a pair of rabbit ears to complete the look.
If you have face paints at home, you can even decorate your child’s face with a cute bunny nose and whiskers.
Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
7. Room on The Broom Witch
Have you got an old Halloween witch costume gathering dust somewhere? Reuse the pointy hat, cloak and black skirt or dress to transform your little one into the kindly witch from Julia Donaldson’s brilliant Room on The Broom.
If your child has long hair, style it into a single plait and fasten with a cute bow. Bonus points if you have a toy cat or a sparkly wand they can carry.
Room on the Broom is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
8. Princess Pearl
Another Julia Donaldson creation, Princess Pearl is a really easy DIY costume, especially if your kids already have a doctor or nurse dress-up set! All you need is a red dress, a long, white coat and a toy stethoscope.
Go the extra mile by adding blue shoes, white tights and a green headband – just like Princess Pearl’s.
Zog is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
9. Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
This lovely Ian Whybrow book provides us with another great World Book Day costume idea. Simply dress your little one in blue jeans, trainers, a stripy top and a red coat to reflect Harry’s clothes on the front cover of the book. Or, have them wear their favourite dinosaur-themed outfit.
Then, pop all of your toy dinosaurs into a plastic bucket for them to carry throughout the day.
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs is available now from £3.50. Buy three and you get three free.
10. Mog
Judith Kerr’s iconic cat is another great character for your kids to dress up as – go for head-to-toe grey and add a pair of cat ears. Bonus points if the clothes have grey stripes, or if you can re-use an old onesie.
You can even tie a grey scarf around their waist to mimic a tail, completing the look. If you have face paint at home, add a cute pink nose and some simple whiskers.
Mog and Me is available now from £3.50 . Buy three and you get three free.
Recommended reading
What is World Book Day?
It’s a day that champions the fun of reading. Reading for fun is the single biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and more successful life – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational backgrounds or their income.
The statistics show that World Book Day is needed now more than ever. A 2024 survey revealed that one in ten children aged 5–18 in the UK don’t own a book, with just one in three kids aged 8–18 actively enjoying reading, a decrease of 8.8% in the preceding 12 months.
But with recent figures showing that 24 million of us are living below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), affecting almost half of all children living in the UK, it’s no surprise that items like books are being forgotten in favour of essentials.
But, it doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
How to make a World Book Day costume for £1
Joel Pickering, Head of Brand and Marketing from Hobbycraft is a dab hand when it comes to whipping up a quick outfit on a budget: “We have a very quick, easy, but effective Harry Potter-inspired costume idea for those looking to celebrate World Book Day.
“Using a few simple craft supplies, you can create Harry’s signature round glasses using black pipe cleaners (£1 for pack of 12 at Hobbycraft) – just shape two circles, connect them with a small bridge, and add arms to finish.
“No wizard is complete without a wand, and you can craft your own using a wooden chopstick or knitting needle, adding texture to the top with a hot glue gun before leaving it to dry, then simply paint it brown for an authentic feel.
“To complete the look, a Gryffindor tie can be fashioned out of a sheet of red felt, before layering yellow felt stripes diagonally. Style with a white shirt or t-shirt you already have at home. Visit one of your local Hobbycraft stores to gather all the items you need. If Harry Potter isn’t your thing, check out www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas for more dress-up ideas.”
The Harry Potter books are available now from £3.50.
What to do if you forget World Book Day
If you only remember it’s World Book Day when you turn up at the gates and your kids are already in their school uniforms?
Just tell them to say they’re a character from Matilda, Mallory Towers, St Clare’s or the Murder Most Unladylike series.
There’s a reason so many great books are set in schools.