To celebrate all things book-ish and to encourage children to read, many schools will hold special events for World Book Day this week.
It falls on March 2 and one of the most popular ways of marking the day in schools is to get pupils dressing up as their favourite book characters.
Some parents will take to costume creation with gusto, but it isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t a dab-hand with the needle and thread or don’t want to spend money on pre-made costumes, here are some hand ideas for some simple book character costumes you can make in minutes.
Thing 1 and Thing 2: This pairing works best if you have twins but is equally effective for two friends or siblings. Two almost identical costumes mean you really only need to develop one idea. A red top and trousers, or a red onesie are coupled with a blue frizzy wig for the main costume, then the circular Thing 1 and Thing 2 labels can be added with paper (safely) pinned to the front or backed with cardboard and hung around the neck.
Harry Potter: Take inspiration from the films for this one – the Hogwarts school uniform is a lot simpler on screen than in the books. A dark-coloured tank top or jumper with a V-neck and a striped tie in one of the four house’s colours are pretty much all that is needed to add to most school uniforms (or a shirt and smart trousers). The lightning bolt scar on the forehead and a pair of round glasses can be added if your child wants to be The Boy Who Lived himself, otherwise something resembling a wand or (if anyone has such a thing anymore) an old-style broom are the best props to complete the costume.
Dennis the Menace: A red and black horizontally-striped jumper, some black shorts (if you can persuade your child to don them at this time of year) and a frizzy black wig are pretty much all you need for this comic strip character. A black toy dog to act as Gnasher is optional. Minnie the Minx, also in red and black striped top but with ginger pigtails and black beret, might be an alternative for girls.
Just William: Another one which requires persuading children into shorts. Think the archetypal 1920s public schoolboy image – cap, blazer, tie and shorts, along with fairly tousled hair and a freckly face. A group of similarly-dressed friends could go as William’s gang the Outlaws.
Where’s Wally?: Simplicity in stripes again, this time with red and white horizontal lines on a top. Pair it with blue trousers, a red, white or red and white bobble hat, a walking stick and a pair of Harry Potter-style glasses. Wanda, from the books, is also available as a girl’s option.
Red Riding Hood: As the character’s name suggests, just a red cloak or coat gives the game away for this one. A small basket for carrying food and flowers to grandma would help as well though.
James Bond: Depending on how tall your child is, an old suit from a relative could be used to quickly turn them into 007. Throw in a pair of stylish sunglasses and a watch to complete the suave look, but we’d strongly recommend not sending them into school with a toy gun.
Have you got any other ideas for simple World Book Day character costumes? Let us know!
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