20 Children’s World Book Day Costume Ideas Kids Will Love
20 Children’s World Book Day Costume Ideas Kids Will Love [Updated for 2026]
With World Book Day almost upon us, I’m sure that many of us parents are on the look-out for costumes.
It’s become a firm staple now for children and adults alike to dress up as one of their favourite book characters.
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World book day is a great way to encourage more people to pick up a book and get reading!
So, with the day of books almost upon us, I wanted to share 20 fun World Book Day costumes for Children.
But first, let’s take a look at what World Book Day is and why we celebrate it.
What is world book day?
World Book Day is an annual charity event that is held each year on the first Thursday in March.
Every child in full time education in the UK is given a voucher to spend on a book to help encourage them to read.
Although World Book Day was created by UNESCO on the 23rd April 1995, it was changed to the first Thursday in March in the UK.
This is due to the fact that being held in April in the UK would conflict with St. George’s Day and the school Easter holidays.
So, in the UK we hold it in March so that the children can have a day dedicated to books in school.
They get to dress us as their favourite characters from books and enjoy a day that’s dedicated to the amazing world of reading.
20 Children’s World Book Day Costume Ideas Kids Will Love
Now that we’ve gotten to know a bit more about World Book day, it’s time to share some utterly fabulous costume ideas.
I know I’m not alone when I say that some years it can feel daunting running around trying to get costumes ready.
Sometimes we’re fresh out of ideas and the children can’t decide.
So, here are 20 fun costume ideas to keep in mind for this World Book Day!
1. Fantastic Mr Fox
Mr Fox is a beloved story book character from Roald Dahl’s book, Fantastic Mr Fox and would make a great great World Book Day Costume.
My son actually went as Mr Fox himself a few years back and he got a lot of compliments on his costume.
He also happened to be the only one dressed as cunning character in his class which was a bonus!
Definitely a character to keep in mind.
2. Little Red Riding Hood
Next up is another much loved character that I know a lot of children like.
Little Red Riding Hood is a fantastic story book character to dress up this World Book Day, she’s well recognised and I’m sure there will be many children asking for this costume.
3. Sherlock Holmes Costume
A unique character to consider this World Book Day is Sherlock Holmes!
When I first put this character on my list I was a little worried about finding a costume to fit (I wrote out characters/ideas before creating this post) but when I saw this one, I knew it was perfect.
I can’t imagine many children going as Sherlock Holmes so this would be a stand out costume for sure.
4. Miss Mad Hatter Costume
Alice in Wonderland is still one of my absolute favourite books I have ever read.
Although it’s challenging, it’s so worth it and I know that many children enjoy the movies and the Mad Hatter seems to be a well loved character.
So, this would be a great choice for children who enjoy the Alice in Wonderland world.
5. Mad Hatter Costume
Sticking with the Alice in Wonderland book, I found this Mad Hatter costume as well and wanted to include it as I think both options are fabulous costumes.
6. Police Costume
With so many different books out there, sometimes it can be hard thinking of just one character.
So, I wanted to include some costumes that could fit a multitude of books!
This Police costume would be great for any child who has that aspiration of joining the force one day.
Plus, you can get away with saying they are any police character they like from any book!
7. Robin Hood Costume
Robin Hood is another well known character that lot’s of children and adults a like seem to enjoy.
I haven’t seen anyone at my sons school go for this choice so I think it’s safe to say this might be a good unique costume to go for.
8. Cat in the Hat Costume
Cat in the Hat is a fantastic book isn’t it?
I remember reading it when I was younger and fell in love with Dr Seuss stories.
This would be a great costume for World Book Day for any child who enjoys a good Dr Seuss story.
9. Wizard Harry Potter Costume
This is a suggestion from my son and nephew who both LOVE Harry Potter.
With the books and all the movies being popular year after year, this is a great costume pick for children who enjoy the wizarding world.
10. Dorothy Costume
Wizard of Oz was my FAVOURITE movie when I was around 4 years old until I was 8.
I had it on VHS tape and watched it that much I wore out 3 tapes! Can’t say my mum was too pleased having to replace it all the time, but damn did I love that movie.
So, I just HAD to add Dorothy to this list of character costume ideas for World Book Day.
11. Cowardly Lion Costume
This is a suggestion that came from my son after he saw that Dorothy was on my list!
He really likes the Cowardly Lion character from Wizard of OZ so I had to put it in for him, and I’m glad I did.
This is definitely a costume I can see being on the unique side, I can’t imagine many people would dress up as the Cowardly Lion for school.
12. Mary Poppins Costume
When I saw this Mary Poppins costume I just had to include it in the list!
This was another of my favourite books and movies from my childhood.
Mary Poppins is such an iconic character and would be a great choice for World Book Day.
13. Bear Costume
Coming in with another generalised costume, this bear one is perfect for those children who love the big furry animals.
With a multitude of story books centering around bears, this costume is a great go to that won’t break the bank.
It’s super cute and doesn’t have a lot of pieces to put together.
14. Miraculous Lady Bug Costume
This is another pick from my son who suggested that Lady Bug should be on the list.
I had no idea it was also a book, so it was great finding that out as I now have more ideas for my nieces Birthday!
The Lady Bug costume is the perfect choice for any child who really enjoys the Miraculous shows and it counts because there are books!
15. Burglar Costume
Again, another generalised costume, this burglar one could work for a whole host of different stories.
There are lots of different children’s books out there with burglar’s out there so you have your pick of which one you child is representing.
16. Fairy Costume
The last generalised costume on the list is this gorgeous fairy one.
There are so many books out there with fairies in the stories that you really are spoiled for choice.
This costume is just stunning, I love the little wings! With it being such a pretty costume, your little one will never have if off!
17. Willy Wonka Costume
Willy Wonka is such a classic character isn’t he?
I remember falling in love with the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book when I was a child and always wanted to be Willy Wonka myself.
Then, in primary 3 my gran made me a Willy Wonka costume for a fancy dress day and I felt like the bees knees.
So, I just had to include one of my favourites for World Book Day.
18. Sophie BFG Costume
When I came across this costume I just HAD to include it in my round-up of World Book Day costumes!
I’ve never seen Sophie as a costume before but it makes so much sense.
This would definitely be a unique costume and I’m pretty sure not many people would think to go for this story book character.
19 & 20. Thing 1 and Thing 2 Costume
Last but by no means least on my list is Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Cat in the Hat!
This is a great costume choice if you have two children dressing up for World book Day.
Seeing costumes like this always makes me yearn for another child because how cute would matching costumes be?!
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