26 Fun Book Week Costume Ideas for 2024

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Book Week is almost here… again! 

We know, we know, it's not the most fun time of the year for parents, especially when you're tasked with getting your hands dirty bringing your child's best-ever Book Week costume to life. But don't stress, we're here to save you your sanity with fun Book Week costume ideas you can make at home. You're welcome! 

26 Fun Book Week Costume Ideas for 2024

Book Week Theme 2024: Reading is Magic

This year, Book Week 2024 is from 17 to 23 August and returns with the theme of 'Reading is Magic'.

The enchanting theme, 'Reading is Magic' celebrates the extraordinary power of stories to transport and transform young minds, inspiring curiosity about the wonders of our world. This positive and uplifting message encourages children to explore and connect through the magic of reading.

Book Week Costume Ideas for 2024

1. The Cat in the Hat From Dr Seuss

Dr Seuss costumes
Thing 1 and Thing 2 and The Cat in the Hat from Dr Seuss.


First up on our list of Book Week costume ideas is everyone's favourite Cat in the Hat!

What You'll Need: 
You might be able to find a striped floppy hat from your local $2 shop as well as the blue wigs. If you don't own black and red jumpsuits, you can substitute them with the same coloured pyjamas or tights and skivvies. Use paper for the Thing 1 and Thing 2 signs and the Cat in the Hat bow.  

2. Minecraft

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
DIY Minecraft costume via Kerry Ann Morgan.


There's no denying that Minecraft paraphernalia is cool, but when you add up the cost of the sword, pickaxe and mask, you're looking at a pretty pricey costume! We love this easy step-by-step guide for DIY Minecraft costumes that'll cost you less than $20 - score!

3. Wally From Where’s Wally?


Where's Wally is always a firm favourite when it comes to fun Book Week costumes!

What You’ll Need:
A red and white striped beanie, a red and white striped long-sleeve top, blue jeans, round glasses and a cane. Voila!

4. Care Bears

Care Bears Costumes Book Week
Big W's range of Care Bears Book Week costumes.


Spread some cheer with these adorable Care Bears costumes, perfect for Book Week. Your little one can step into the paws of these cuddly characters and bring a bit of retro magic to their Book Week celebrations. Designed for children ages 3 to 8, these costumes come in Share Bear and Cheer Bear Tutu Dresses and Character Costumes including Funshine Bear or Trick-or-Sweet Bear.

What You’ll Need:
Snap up a Care Bears costume from BIG W and you're ready to go. Easy peasy!

5. Careful of this Wild Thing!

 

A photo posted by PAPERplayground (@paperplayground) on

6. Macca the Alpaca and Dharma the Llama

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
Macca the Alpaca and Dharma the Llama. Image via Pinterest


It's a stack of alpacas and Dharma the Llama! This cuter-than-cute costume is for all Macca the Alpaca fans. 

What You’ll Need:
This is a crafty one, folks! Grab a cheap top hat from your local $2 shop, loads of cotton balls from the supermarket and brown rope from Bunnings. Cut a hole in the top hat so it slides over your little one's face and add an extra layer of paper if you need to make the hat taller. You can print off colour-in Macca the Alpaca faces from Matt Cosgrove and you're done!

7. Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
Do Not Open This Book costume. Image via @ashie_mashie.


What You’ll Need:
Cardboard, paint, and a whole lot of patience!

8. Harry Potter From the Harry Potter Series

Harry Potter costume
Source: Pieces by Polly


What You'll Need:
A long cloak-style jacket (or try a dressing gown?), round glasses and a magic wand. Don't forget the lightning scar and shaggy hair. Hey, presto!

9. Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss

Fox in Socks
Fox in Socks. Image via Pinterest.

10. Greg Hefley From Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Source: Pinterest


What You’ll Need:
There are plenty of downloadable mask templates available online for this much-loved Book Week character, add a simple white T-shirt and black jeans to complete the look, or draw on lines if you've got a tee to spare to go the extra mile!

11. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

The Bad Guys costume
Watch out for these Bad Guys!

12. The Lorax

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
The Lorax. Image via Pinterest. 


The Lorax is one of our all-time favourite Book Week costume ideas because it's so easy if you already have an orange hoodie!

What You’ll Need:
Grab an old pair of sunglasses, fashion a bushy moustache and eyebrows out of yellow wool and super glue them to the top and bottom of the glasses - voila!

13. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
Captain Underpants. Image via Pinterest.


Bring the epic personality of Captain Underpants to life with this cool Book Week costume.

What You’ll Need:
A skin-coloured bodysuit (skin-coloured tights and a skivvy will work too), plain white underpants, a red cape, and a skin-coloured swimming cap.

14. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Very Hungry Caterpillar costume
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

15. Matilda From Matilda

Matilda Costume
Source: Pinterest


What You’ll Need:
Our favourite bookworm just needs a blue dress with a jacket and a red ribbon. And don’t forget a book (and ideally a glass jar with a newt inside if possible!).

16. The Practically Perfect Mary Poppins

17. The Midnight Gang by David Walliams

The Midnight Gang
The Midnight Gang


Another super-easy costume idea - all you need is pyjamas!

What You’ll Need:
Your little one can wear their own pyjamas, a dressing gown, and a bandage.

18. No One Likes a Fart by Zoe Foster Blake

Book Week Costume Ideas 2024
No One Likes a Fart


What You’ll Need:
All you need is butcher's paper to make your fart, string to attach it, and black clothes for underneath - easy peasy!

19. Alice From Alice in Wonderland

World Book Week
Alice in Wonderland 


We don't think we can remember a Book Week when there hasn't been a number of Alice in Wonderlands running about!

What You’ll Need:
A blue dress, white apron, white leggings, black shoes and a black ‘Alice’ headband. Carry a small bottle with a ‘drink me’ label for extra oomph!

20. Ninja Kids From the Ninja Kid Series by Anh Do

Ninja Kids costumes
Source: Bounty Parents


What You’ll Need:
Some spare fabric to make a mask, plus colourful clothing depending on which Ninja Kid character you choose. Easy as pie!

21. A Golden Ticket From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Golden Ticket costume
A Golden Ticket From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Image via Pinterest.

22. Maisy The Mouse From Maisy

Maisy the Mouse
Source: Real Life Notes


What You’ll Need:
Any clothes will do, but overalls are a favourite. Add mouse ears and a tail, and draw on or buy a mouse nose and whiskers!

23. The Man In The Yellow Hat From Curious George


What You’ll Need:
Grab a yellow shirt and jeans with brown boots and voila - another easy book week costume sorted! If you don’t have a yellow tie lying around, make one with cardboard with black polka dots. Bring along your toy monkey and it’s all done!

24. Billie B Brown From the Billie B Brown series by Sally Rippin

Billie B Brown
Source: ebay


What You’ll Need:
A super-simple one comprising a T-shirt with a B on it, a blue tutu and some optional stripy tights - done!

25. A Tight Fit – Alice in Wonderland

 

A photo posted by Maryam (@justmypretty) on


26. Brick By Brick – Lego!

 

A photo posted by Renee Ludlow (@twolittlenods) on

Hero image: stayathomemum.com.au

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Reviews


Jenny Willis

Aug 24 2015

Love the website thanks a bunch