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! 

25 Fun Book Week Costume Ideas for 2025

Book Week Theme 2025: Book an Adventure

This year, Book Week 2025 is from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August and returns with the theme of 'Book an adventure'.

2025 is also a milestone year, as we celebrate 80 years of Children’s Book Week! For 8 decades, CBCA has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless worlds that books offer.

Book Week Costume Ideas for 2025

1. 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! Or if you're looking for a fun and easy duo costume - Thing 1 and Thing 2 is perfect for siblings, besties, or a teacher + student combo. 

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. For Thing 1 and Thing 2, you'll just need a red t-shirt with a white circle on the chest that says “Thing 1” or “Thing 2” in black letters. Add a blue wig or blue hair spray, and you’ve nailed the chaotic duo!

2. Minecraft

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!

What You'll Need
A handmade boxy cardboard helmet with matching blocky clothing. Use bold, square shapes and bright colours to recreate the game's iconic look, and carry a cardboard pickaxe or sword to complete the outfit.

3. Wally From Where’s Wally?

Where's Wally is always a firm favourite when it comes to fun Book Week costumes! And don't forget about Wendy too.

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. Found him! 

4. Where the Wild Things Are

 

A nostalgic option for little book weekers! A cute and simple choice would be to go as Max, the mischievous boy in the wolf suit.

What You'll Need:
Find a white hoodie and leggings as the base, glue or pin on a felt tail, make a crown out of cardboard and cover with foil or gold paper and draw on whiskers and a nose with face paint or eyeliner.

5. Macca the Alpaca and Dharma the Llama

It's a stack of alpacas and Dharma the Llama! This cuter-than-cute costume is for all Macca the Alpaca fans. You could even add a bowtie, party hat, or backpack (like in Macca’s Makeover or Macca’s Christmas Crackers).

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!

6. Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee

Cheeky little ones will enjoy going as the lovable (and very panicked) blue character named Wizz, who’s desperately trying to stop readers from turning the pages.

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

7. Harry Potter From the Harry Potter Series

 

Bring Hogwarts to your school with the classic Book Week choice, Harry from the Harry Potter series.

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!

8. Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss

 

Your child can bring the rhyming classic to life this Book Week. And how easy does it sound? You've already got the socks, so just a few bits and pieces are needed to be the clever red fox.

What You'll Need
A red/orange top and leggings or pants, some bright blue socks, and some fox ears or a fox mask. Simple!

9. Greg Hefley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Known for his stick-figure style in the books, you could create your own hand-drawn head piece or to make it even easier, simply go as a "real schoolboy". Bonus points if you bring Greg's journal!

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!

10. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

 

We love this hilarious graphic novel series about a group of scary-looking animals trying to prove they can be heroes. Let your child channel their inner bad guy this Book Week!

What You'll Need
Just a plain white shirt, black pants, and a black tie to match the characters’ classic "undercover" look. Add a simple animal mask or headband - like a wolf, shark, snake, or piranha and carry a sign that says “Good Guy (in disguise)!” to complete the look.

11. The Lorax

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!

12. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

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.

13. Pirates Love Underpants

 

Arrrrr me hearties! One last easy costume idea - and no doubt you already have the undies. Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman is a hilarious book aimed at the younger kids.

What You'll Need
A striped shirt, vest, eye patch, and pirate hat. Add a fun twist by proudly displaying a pair of colourful underpants over the pants or on a flag. 

14. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 

If your child has a big appetite, encourage them to go as the Very Hungry Caterpillar this Book Week!

What You'll Need
A series of green segments (like a hoodie and pants, or circles sewn onto a shirt) to represent the caterpillar’s body. Add a red hat or hood with felt eyes and antennae to mimic the caterpillar’s head, and for a fun touch, carry a piece of fruit to show what you've been munching on!

15. Matilda From Matilda

 

Be the book-loving girl with extraordinary intelligence and a few magical powers!

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

16. Mary Poppins

 

Poised, proper, and poetic, Mary Poppins is a practically perfect Book Week costume! 

What You'll Need
A dark blue skirt or dress with a white top and jacket. Add a black hat decorated with flowers, an umbrella, and don’t forget her iconic handbag to complete the look.

17. The Midnight Gang by David Walliams

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

The cheeky children’s book that takes a playful look at your child's favourite bodily functions - farts! A left of field choice but it can be done...

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 breezy, just like a fart! 

19. Alice From 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! They're just too cute. 

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

 

Is your child into martial arts? They could be Nelson Kane, the ordinary 10-year-old boy who discovers on his birthday that he is the last ninja on Earth! 

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

 

Why be Charlie when you can be the winning golden ticket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

What You'll Need
A bright gold or yellow outfit, like a dress, or oversized shirt to represent the golden ticket. Then, attach a large piece of cardboard painted gold with the “Golden Ticket” details drawn or printed on it, worn around your neck or pinned to your outfit. It's so easy the parents will be winning! 

22. Maisy The Mouse From Maisy

 

Maisy the Mouse is the cheerful and curious star of the Maisy book series by Lucy Cousins - and she makes for the cutest outfit. 

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

 

Always dressed in his signature bright yellow suit and hat, he’s the calm, sensible companion who helps George navigate the world. He also makes for a sensibly easy costume! 

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

Become the young girl with the adventurous spirit - an easy choice for parents who might not be too adventurous in the costume making department! 

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. Mrs Trunchbull from Matlida

 

Mrs Trunchbull makes for a dramatic and hilarious Book Week costume - just remind your child not to swing students from their pigtails!

What You'll Need
An army-green or khaki dress or a grey hoodie with a thick belt, knee-high socks, and black boots to capture her strict look. Hair back into a tight bun, and add a drawn-on unibrow to top it all off. 

Hero image: stayathomemum.com.au

Bespoke, Budget-friendly Book Week Costumes with Cricut

For more Book Week inspiration that’s fun, budget-friendly, and totally unique, bring your favourite characters and stories to life with a little help from Cricut! Whether it’s for kids, teachers, colleagues, or even yourself, the perfect excuse to unleash your creativity and design one-of-a-kind costumes and props! There is a treasure trove of easy-to-make costume ideas dreamed up by our Cricut community and influencers.

You’ll also find step-by-step projects in Cricut Design Space, plus an enormous library of free and licensed images from Harry Potter to Peanuts to Powerpuff Girls that make recreating your favourite book characters a breeze. Think printable cardstock headpieces, op shop dresses transformed into magical outfits, crayon costumes for under $10, and so much more. 

Emma Memma’s BB Butterfly Headband and Neckerchief

Kids adore Emma Memma, and her BB Butterfly mascot is instantly recognisable. Using a Cricut Maker 3, Cricut EasyPress Mini, some felt, and a few crafty pipe cleaners, Emma whipped up the sweetest BB Butterfly headband and neckerchief. You can find her project in Cricut Design Space and give your own Book Week costume an extra flutter of personality.

Another fun Book Week DIY by Emma Memma are these super cute wombat hats! A quick and easy cardstock project using her Cricut Maker 3. These wombat hats are the perfect way to bring on the Book Week festivities, regardless of project size! Make the project by searching for the image #M4C9ED3DD in Cricut Design Space.  

The Day the Crayons Quit – Red Crayon Costume

Inspired by Drew Daywalt’s colourful classic, The Day the Crayons Quit, this cheerful red crayon outfit is as easy as it is affordable, costing under $10! Made with a cardstock hat and a customised T-shirt using Cricut Iron-on Vinyl, it works perfectly with a tutu, leggings, or pants. It’s also a fantastic group costume idea if you want to gather a rainbow of friends. The step-by-step guide is ready to go in Cricut Design Space.

Game Day Hogwarts™ House Jumpers

Calling all wizards! Show your Hogwarts™ house pride with these personalised Quidditch™ jumpers. Made with Cricut Iron-on materials, they’re a fast, fuss-free project that lets you step straight into the magical world of wizardry. All the instructions you need are waiting in Cricut Design Space - choose your house colours and get ready to fly.

Cricut machines and materials are available at Spotlight, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, & BIG W.

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