Each year, little kids are excited during BOOK WEEK to participate in inspiring activities with their friends. As for the parents, coming up with costumes that fit their character-themed books can be daunting, but doing so can save a lot of stress by making the event fun for everyone.
Easy DIY costume ideas are always a winner, and it’s usually cheaper to make something at home than purchase a costume.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t have the time to make a costume, we have you covered with a pre-made selection from 50 of the best books.
Simple Book Week Costume Ideas 2022
The Australian Book Week takes place annually on the first week of August. This national event includes activities that focus on children’s literacy and is dedicated to celebrating books and reading. The 2022 event will be titled ‘Dreaming with eyes open and will run from August 20-26.
Book Week is a time to motivate kids to read more and reduce the attention they give distractors like TV shows, video games, and social media.
These costume ideas for kids can help you develop great costumes on a tight budget. Some are easy enough to make in your own home and still look amazing!
Below, you’ll find a simple collection of some costume ideas less than your typical creative book character ideas.
Exemplary Book Character Costumes
Some books are always a part of Book Week celebrations – such as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. So, you will see them at almost every dress-up event and on social media. It only seemed right for me to start with these classic Book Week Costumes since they’re a Book Week staple.
This type of writing is what we all grew up with. From the traditional stories to more recent and diverse characters, the classics are easy for us to spot in a crowd, even among other newer stories.
1. Gruffalo
A great list of costume ideas for this year’s Book Week has been put together, none more appropriate than the classic Gruffalo. This costume is easy to make and would be a fun activity for all young wildlife lovers on the day.
2. BFG
Even children are known to love books by Roald Dahl. Sometimes they can be found even in the most remote locations or on one of the smallest bookshelves worldwide. This BFG costume is easy to make and inexpensive, which is a nice bonus for those who love rereading Dahl stories.
3. Harry Potter and The Hogwarts Fraternity
Harry Potter hit the book racks in 1998 and has remained a world-famous series for over 20 years now. The prevalent dream of getting a Hogwarts letter has been given new life with these starry robes. They make excellent costume ideas and birthday gifts, too!
4. Alice In Wonderland Costume
This is a classic look – one of the costumes we typically see people wearing at Halloween. This version of Alice in Wonderland inside the white rabbit’s cabin is pretty simple, but it has a fun twist: The famous scene from the book is portrayed in this costume, which makes for an easy DIY project.
5. The Scarecrow From the Wizard of Oz
Magic and imagination are inextricably intertwined in The Wizard of Oz. One of the more popular characters in this book is the iconic scarecrow costume introduced by L Frank Baum when he first wrote the novel.
6. The Wizard of Oz-Tin Man
The non-traditional Tin Man theme perfectly fits your girl’s book week costume. The addition of the tutu finishes off this fun ensemble with ease and gives it a girly touch.
7. Where The Wild Things Are
This option is perfect for anyone – children, adults, or just a night out! This DIY costume only takes 20 minutes to put together and can be reused many times. Another advantage of this costume is that it’s pretty cheap and super entertaining!
8. Mr Tumnus
One of the most popular costumes at Books Week comes from the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Mr Tumnus costume would give your readers an idea of what it would be like in that magical world and help them bring it alive for their book week outfits.
It may be winter in Australia by then, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear your fuzzy pants! Frankly, any type of long sleeve will do if you’re going to a chilly climate.
9. Mr Bump
These books have been around for a long time. But now, as an adult, you may not have much time to craft a character. This easy tutorial on crocheting Mr Bump would allow you to recreate one of your childhood favourites with just a few supplies.
10. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
This costume for ‘The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe’ is truly impressive. It takes creative DIY costume making with vinyl prints from K-Mart to make the wardrobe.
11. Miss Muppet
Miss Muppet is a cute book week/Halloween costume for kids. One can go as the spider or Miss Muppet. If you want to surprise your kids, get two outfits and switch! Don’t forget to write a fun phrase that says how it will “fly in their hearts.”
Disney Costumes
Our children have been reading Disney movies and stories since they were little, and now they have officially joined the academic world where these childhood books feature frequently. These literary classics are beloved among kids, whether based on a film story or a sequel featuring the characters in new adventures.
Kids have favoured Disney costumes for many years. They come in and out of fashion based on film releases, sequels and more.
12. Bo Peep Toy Story 4
You can choose to be a Toy Story character such as Bo Peep, Woody or Buzz Lightyear for Halloween or book week costumes. This Disney character turned out to be even better than expected and cost much less than a costume from other sources.
13. Rapunzel
Long hair is great for little girls. Most little girls would love to be Rapunzel and wear their hair down in a splendid braid paired with a princess dress.
14. Toy Story: Woody and Jessy
Another great costume to try out during this year’s books week has to be Toy Story’s Woody and Jessy costumes. The two are perfect for a fun duo dress-up costume!
15. Toy Story: Barbie
You could make this character any kind of Barbie since the franchise has published many books. You could have her as a part of your book week and Halloween costume with your family.
16. Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear, the Space Ranger, is a popular character for kids and young adults. Woody always saves the day, so young people are attracted to these two titles in all of their iterations. You can choose to imprint the speaker’s catchphrase “To infinity and beyond” on the costume.
17. Olaf
If you have more than one child and are looking for costume ideas for this year’s book week, consider dressing them up as characters from “Frozen”. Olaf is a great costume inspired by the theme of winter, so he might be able to blend in just fine during that chilly period.
18. Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a costume that takes no more than 5 minutes to create and is perfect for Disney-themed parties. If you have green pants or shirts at home, you are good to get started.
19. Maui
In the Disney movie, the character Maui from Moana is often chosen for dress-up parades and conventions. His costume is one of the easiest to create; ensure you are equipped with a Cricut cutting machine to help you cut out leave shapes for his outfit. Lastly, print out the tattoo designs and stick them on the costume.
20. Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse is one of the most popular Disney characters. She is incredibly recognisable and has a ton of great outfits. This DIY costume will have your little girl looking like a true Disney fan for book week.
Dr. Seuss Costumes
There are a lot of easy Dr Seuss character costumes to choose from. Every kid has their favourite Dr. Seuss characters, and many parents love the simplicity of these costumes!
Enjoy some of the classics with your kids and give them a taste of the time-honoured tales. Here are a couple of great costumes that you can make in the comfort of your house:
21. Green Eggs and Ham
This DIY Sam I Am and his green eggs and ham make a fun, simple Dr Seusher costume for book week. This was one of my favourite Dr Seuss books as a kid.
When creating your outfit, there are many things you can tailor to fit your individual needs. For example, this DIY unit includes a headpiece worn similar to his face hat, making it excellent for adults and kids alike.
22. Things 1 & 2
“Thing 1 and Thing 2” is a popular children’s costume idea. They are suitable for kids who want to dress the same, but even parents can wear marching ones.
23. Lorax
This Lorax costume is easy to create and looks so cute. It is a great idea for Halloween or any other costume event. Lorax costumes are customisable and easy to make and wear. They don’t cost much either and come in various colours and sizes. If you want to do something quick and easy but still show your love of the Lorax, ensure you have orange clothing!
24. The Sneetches
Felt crafts are entertaining because they are inexpensive and straightforward. This Sneetches costume demonstrates how suitable materials can create beautiful craft projects with little effort or money.
25. Fox In Socks
If you have access to a local department store, use some simple basics and your kids’ clothing for a fun Dr Seuss costume. Add some cute ears — and maybe a tail — for this whimsical kid’s look.
26. Cindy Lou
If you want to dress up your kids for the Christmas movie, a Cindy Lou Who costume is perfect. It has the right colours and looks like that last-minute costume idea. It is also an exciting option for book week as it teaches how The Grinch tried to steal Christmas.
Superhero Costumes
Over the last 20 years, different characters from popular books and comics have been turned into children’s stories. They provide a fun way to teach children about the world of reading and storytelling and lessen their fear of books.
Let your kids be creative and design their superhero costumes from these blueprint options. With book week or maybe a dress-up party around the corner, it’s a great time to share some fantastic book-themed costumes!
27. Thor
The Marvel Studios edition of Thor may be a lot of moms’ favourite superheroes, and Chris Hemsworth’s character is the definition of a great superhero that children love. From Thor 3 onwards, little girls will be able to wield the Mjolnir, Thor’s magical hammer. People might start noticing them more in costume contests, and this Thor costume tutorial is a great visual to help them showcase their skills.
28. Batman
Both the classic Batman heroes have been around for a long time in Batman and the more modern Batgirl, who debuted in 1966. There’s always something fun about dressing up as either of the two characters!
29. Captain America
Activate your DIY mode and create a Captain America shield and costume for your little one to wield during book week. Children love props, so this suit is one they’ll enjoy thoroughly.
30. Wonder Woman
The Wonder Woman kids’ cuffs are an excellent accessory for any book week costume. You could also wear them with a DIY cape or just keep them as a unique accessory.
31. T-Shirt Cape
This tutorial will show you how to make a cape for your superhero costume for as low as $4. You can get creative or shop around for some inspiration with kids.
32. Dog Man
The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey of Captain Underpants fame is a popular reading choice for kids. The main characters in this series are dogs. Loaded with humour and adventure, the costumes will likely inspire children to read books.
33. Lady Bug & Cat Noir
The Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir has been a hugely popular television series since 2015. In 2018 it expanded to include books and was made available through traditional broadcasting methods and subscription streaming services like Netflix. With classes on DIY costumes, this is perfect for fans of all ages.
34. DIY reading is my Superpower Costume
Maybe it’s time to go against the grain and dress up your superhero in a new, un-book-inspired way! Maybe your superhero doesn’t have to be one that already exists within the pages of a book.
Your child’s superhero costume can be an exciting learning experience, and you get a lot of positive feedback from family and friends! With this tutorial, you can help them form their superhero.
Australian Book Week Costumes
Australian Book Week is a time of year when people share some fantastic homemade costumes. Some parents even go as far as to make homemade costumes for their children.
In Australia, there’s no better time to be reading a book than during Aussie Book Week. Classics like May Gibbs’ Peter Pan and recent favourites like the Dory and Spot books will please kids of all ages.
35. Gumnut Babies
This is a budget-friendly, classic book character costume. You can check out tutorials if you decide to create these adorable Australian children’s literature characters for Halloween.
36. Thelma The Unicorn
A unicorn costume is a fun costume option for Book Week! Plus, your options are endless when choosing a unicorn outfit. I love that it’s super easy and uses materials already in your craft supply drawer, so no costuming emergencies or disappointments!
37. Macca The Alpaca & Dharma The Llama
The near-legendary Australian children’s book series “Macca” and “Dharma” are brought to life with a family costume of two beloved alpacas perfect for siblings.
More Book Character Costume Ideas
These costume categories don’t fit well in other categories; for that reason, we’ll highlight them separately. Some of these costumes can’t be found under our different categories, but they’re easy to make at home and are perfect for any costume event.
Book Week is a time to celebrate everything books have achieved and what they can achieve in the future. There are so many opportunities for children to get creative with their illustrations.
38. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has been popular for years, especially since its release in the movies. Its costume is easy to make yourself because you can use items around your home with just a little bit of shopping.
39. Shh, We Have a Plan
These adorable costumes are perfect for all ages, and the costuming is not too complex. One of Aussie’s kids’ favourite books, “Shh We Have a Plan”, is great for something different to read.
40. Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a character fun to dress up as simply because of his variety of abilities. Besides, he’s so easy to replicate. You can add a belt and lightsaber to your karate outfit, and you’re good to go!
41. R2D2
For Luke, who needs his robotic sidekick to be able to help the Resistance alongside him, this R2D2 costume was a must-have. This DIY is also fun and easy to make!
42. Poppy & Branch From Trolls
Kids love the Poppy and Branch series on Netflix! One recent addition in the Twiddle and Tiny tv-series are modernised versions of classic Troll Dolls.
The Troll headbands are a simple book parade outfit that doesn’t require your hair to be any longer than it already is. They make it easy enough for you to become popularly associated with some upcoming thrilling film-themed wear.
43. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Many children love this Very Hungry Caterpillar book, so why not take the easy way out for Halloween with an easier costume to wear? This costume comes in Butterfly form on Pinterest, but unfortunately, there are no step-by-step instructions for this one.
44. The Ella Diaries
A boxtume for every Ella Diaries fan! Create this fantastic piece of artwork with large cardboard panels, paint, and pens. Your kids can help you make it and have a lot of fun while they’re doing it.
45. Mo Willems Pigeon Costume
If your kid loves Mo Willems’s Pigeon and his adventures, they will love this easy costume idea. Not only is it fun and easy (and so are the instructions!), but they’ll be able to dress up as one of their favourite characters from a popular children’s book series!
Book Week Costumes To Buy
There are also plenty of options for your book’s week costume! People can pick from many different costume stores that offer costumes at an affordable price. Schools may even have Book Week costumes to rent (on a day of your choosing!).
Little Koala Book Club provides monthly subscriptions to storybooks and supplies for story-centric costume parties. These subscriptions are perfect for making an impactful event, inspiring imagination and a love for reading.
For more children’s book week costumes, here are some of our parting shot favourite pre-made options:
46. Where’s Wally
These kids’ books by Martin Handford typically consist of detailed illustrations where you have to find Wally (and his friends) in the crowd. It’s a fun way to gather people needed for a project. You can get Wally’s costume in any leading store that sells dress-up costumes. This piece is for kids 10 to 12 years old.
47. Mad Hatter
Another character from the adventurous Alice In Wonderland is the Mad Hatter. The costume of the Mad Hatter includes a silky grey and brown inner lining for the jackets inside. There is also visible stitching which is all in different colours. To top the look is a signature weird top hat with hair shooting out from the sides. You can easily access all the required materials in some of your old clothing or easily purchase them in any leading store near you.
48. Captain Underpants
These DIY Captain Underpants costumes will leave everyone in awe. You can make them quickly with the few items you have! The essential pieces of clothing required are a red robe to act as a superhero cape, tights matching your skin tone, and white underpants. All of which are easily accessible in the comfort of most homes.
49. Frodo – Lord of the Rings
For your next book week costume idea, Frodo, one of the hobbits from Lord of the rings, is a great option to tell a story. Frodo wears pants made of cotton velvet with a front drop opening and buttons covered in the same fabric. Aside from the colour and visible signs that denote who is a hobbit, certain traits distinguish the four main hobbits from one another. The one with a plaid shirt (Frodo) is the only one of the four hobbits that wear an area-specific style rather than a more versatile item.
50. Willy Wonka Golden Ticket
Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel was published in 1964. The book tells the story of a young boy who receives a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory. In this book, Dahl created the iconic character of Willy Wonka in a whimsical style that captures his imagination and that of millions of readers. This story inspires the golden ticket costume commonly used in dress-up events. The costume requires golden cardboard that covers the front, fastened with a hook and tape. An elastic band strap secures the back holding the whole outfit together.
