World Book Day – dress up on a budget!

World Book Day is just around the corner (Thursday 6 March), and that means it’s time to celebrate the joy of reading.

Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or a parent, you know how exciting it can be to dress up as your favourite character and share the love of your favourite book.

But let’s face it; not everyone has the budget for fancy costumes. Fear not!

We’ve got you covered with some clever and cheap costume ideas that will make your little one the star of the day without breaking the bank.

DIY costume ideas

Making your own costume is one of the best ways to save money – and sometimes the best outfits come from the clothes you already own.

Harry Potter

All you need is a black robe (or a large black sheet), a pair of round glasses, and a stick for a wand. A lightning bolt on your kid’s forehead can be drawn with a bit of makeup.

If you’re feeling really crafty, you can try making your own Nimbus 2000 broomstick too.

The Cat in the Hat

A red and white striped hat can be made from paper or fabric. Wear a black outfit and make a simple tail from a black sock stuffed with newspaper. Complete the look with a pair of white gloves and a red bow tie.

Where’s Wally?

A red and white striped top, blue jeans and round glasses will do the trick. Add a beanie, and your child is good to go.

Little Red Riding Hood

A red cape can be made from a large piece of fabric. Pair it with a simple dress and a basket for some props.

Winnie the Pooh

A red short-sleeved top over a longer yellow one with matching shorts or trousers will work wonders. Add a bear ear headband – and they’re all set.

Matilda

A blue dress, a red hair ribbon and a pile of books under their arm will perfectly embody this clever character.

Peter Pan

Use a green t-shirt and shorts. Make a simple hat from green paper and you’re off to Neverland.

Charlotte’s Web

Wear a black outfit and create a spider web using white yarn. A few plastic spiders can add a nice touch.

Mary Poppins

A black skirt, a white blouse and a red bow tie will make your child look like the magical nanny. Don’t forget an umbrella!

Greg Heffley

A white tee, black shorts and a black rucksack are perfect for your kid become the main character of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Ada Twist, Scientist

Grab your yellow washing up gloves, a pencil and some knee-high white socks and you’re halfway there! Finish the look with a red polka dot dress, science goggles and some yellow knocker-bead bobbles to turn your little one into this brilliant scientist.

Penny and the Magic Puffballs

Pink or light purple dungarees and a top work perfectly for Penny’s colourful look. Pair with some rainbow knee-high socks and trainers, bonus points if they’re pink or purple baseball shoes!

Don’t forget Penny’s trademark hairstyle – space buns work perfectly to finish the look off.

Reuse old costumes

Do you have costumes from previous Halloweens or dress-up days? Now is the time to reuse them. A little creativity can go a long way!

Superheroes

Most superheroes’ stories began as comic books – so dig out that Iron Man or Black Panther costume.

You can easily tweak these to match a character from a different book too. For instance, a cape can turn your kid into a character like the BFG.

Fairytales

Mix and match bits from past costumes. A princess dress can become a fairytale character with the right accessories, such as Rapunzel or the Princess and the Pea.

A pretty dress and a few stuffed bears can quickly turn your child into Goldilocks.

Animals

If you have animal ears or a tail from past costumes, use them for characters like the Gruffalo. A pair of bunny ears and a blue jacket can easily become Peter Rabbit.

Shopping for cheap options

If you’re not up for a DIY project, there are affordable places to pick up a World Book Day costume:

• Ask a friend or relative: Someone you know might have the perfect costume or accessory they no longer want. Ask away before spending any pennies.
• Charity shops: You can find costumes or clothes that can be repurposed at a fraction of the price.
• Online marketplaces: eBay or Facebook Marketplace often have second-hand costumes for sale.
• Discount stores: Poundland or B&M often have costume accessories at low prices.