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Struggling to find a costume for your child this World Book Day? Whether you can’t think of the perfect costume or you don’t know where to buy a great costume, this is the ultimate guide to give you all the ideas and links you’ll need. Send your child off to school in a fancy dress costume that will impress their friends and their teachers.

The Costumes

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

We kick off this guide with a much loved classic, both in children's literature and film - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With many much-loved characters to choose from, your child could step into their dream chocolate factory job. Is your little one mischievous? Then the Oompa Loompa dress or Oompa Loompa trouser outfit might be their perfect costume (Don’t forget to complete the look with orange face paint and an Oompa Loompa wig). Or your child could be the eccentric boss with either the 2005 Willy Wonka suit, the classic 1971 Willy Wonka suit, or the Willy Wonka dress.

Is your kid feeling lucky? They should be because they just won the golden ticket with these costumes. But which character best suits your child? Are they more of a Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde (make the outfit pop with purple face paint), or Veruca Salt (you can get your white tights here)?

Roald Dahl’s The Witches, Matilda, and The BFG

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory isn’t the only Roald Dahl book that has been adapted into multiple successful films. Your magic little one could be the Grand High Witch from The Witches and spend their day conjuring up their plan to turn the other children into rats. Or maybe Matilda is your Child’s favourite Roald Dahl book. With the original 1996 and the recent 2022 film adaptations, the much-loved character Matilda is a great choice for this World Book Day. Looking for a costume that’s a bit more evil? Miss Trunchbull is the one for you. Rather send your little one off on an adventure? They could go on a journey as Sophie or the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) and enjoy some snozzcumber and frobscottle.

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox, The Twits, and James and the Giant Peach

The Roald Dahl fun doesn’t stop there. Here we have a theme of animals and mean humans starting with the clever Mr Fox who outwits the farmers. Then we have the spiteful Mr Twit and Mrs Twit who are outwitted by their monkeys and birds. Or your little one could morph into the giant peach that saves James and houses his friends Centipede, Miss Spider, Silkworm and many more.

David Walliams

David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, Ratburger, Grandpa’s Great Escape, Awful Auntie, and Mr Stink

For over a decade, David Walliams has been releasing his highly popular children's novels which have inspired many children to start reading. This World Book Day, your child could become one of their favourite David Walliams characters. There are so many great options: the 90-year-old jewel thief Granny, the 12-year old billionaire Joe Spud, the blind rat burger salesman Burt, the spitfire loving Grandpa, the selfish and evil Aunt Alberta, or the smelly homeless man Mr Stink.

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Grab the iconic blue jacket and let your mischief-maker hop to school as Peter Rabbit (lucky for your little one, they don’t need to like carrots to be Peter Rabbit for the day). Is your little one an angel rather than a trouble-maker? Maybe they’d prefer to be Peter’s well behaved sister Cotton-tail (get your white tights here). Another much-loved character that would perfectly suit your determined and trusting but clumsy little one is Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series

Does your little one dream of being a magical witch or wizard? They can live their dream for World Book Day. Let the magic run through their veins as Dumbledor, Professor McGonagall, or the one and only Harry Potter (in his uniform or quidditch outfit). No Harry Potter outfit would be complete without his scar, draw it on with a red face crayon.

All Harry Potter fans know what house they belong in. Let your little one imagine they’ve received their Hogwarts acceptance letter and join their house for the day with the uniform tops for Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin (and the Slytherin skirt), or Ravenclaw.

Don’t let your young witch or wizard forget their wand!

Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Fall into a fantasy world of magical potions, talking animals, and strange creatures. Your little one could lead Alice down the rabbit hole as the White Rabbit, go on the adventure of a lifetime as Alice (with her black and white tights), host a mad tea party as the classic Hatter (or in the Hatter dress costume), shout “off with his head!” as the Queen of Hearts, or show off their mischievous grin as the Cheshire Cat.

Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Send your little one down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City with Dorothy and her friends. Will your little one fly into school in a tornado like Dorothy? Or are they going to The Wizard hoping for a brain like the Scarecrow or courage like the Lion? Maybe the Wicked Witch of the West suits your little one better? Just make sure they avoid anything that could make them melt.

The Wind in the Willows

Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows

Step into the world of The Wind in the Willows with these childrens bodysuit costumes. Dress your little one up as the loyal Mole, his kind friend Ratty, the aristocrat Mr Toad, or the solitary Badger. However, even in these costumes, they still have to go to school rather than enjoying a relaxing day by the river.

Where’s Wally

Martin Handford’s Where’s Wally?

Go on the search to find your little one in their Where’s Wally costume. The hide and seek puzzle book costumes include the main character Wally as well as his twin sister friends Wilma and Wenda. Whoever your child dresses as, they’re in for a day of puzzle fun.

Peter Pan

J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan

Let your little one fly and be the free-spirit they are with the Peter Pan costume. They could fly all the way to Neverland and hang out with the Lost Boys. Or maybe your little one would rather be Peter Pan’s arch-enemy Captain Hook. Just make sure the crocodile doesn’t eat their other hand.

Mary Poppins

P. L. Travers’ Mary Poppins series

Ready to look supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Fly into World Book Day as the magical nanny and let a spoonful of sugar help your little one get through the school day. The question is, does your little one prefer the original Mary Poppins costume from the 1964 film or the modern Mary Poppins costume from the 2018 film?

Paddington Bear

Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear series

With a love of marmalade, your little one can become the cherished, friendly Paddington Bear. This costume comes complete with a red hat, blue duffle coat, and brown briefcase. Although, you will have to provide your own marmalade sandwich.

Spot the Dog

Eric Hill’s Spot the Dog

Does your little one love a game of hide and seek? Bring out their curiosity with the Spot the Dog costume. However, you may need to keep a close eye on them as the mischievous puppy is great at hiding. Can you find them?

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Have an appetite for great costumes? Your child could spend the day as the Tiger who came to tea and consumed all the food and drink in Sophie’s house. This Tiger costume will keep your little one warm, comfortable, and entertained all day long.

The Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat

Is your little one an eccentric entertainer and trickster? Send them off to school to create havoc and entertain the other children in their classroom with the Cat in the Hat costume. As long as they clean up their mess after their tricks (unlike the cat in the book). Add an extra level to this costume by using face crayons to draw on a cat nose and whiskers.

Elmer

David McKee’s Elmer the Patchwork Elephant

Celebrate a story of diversity this World Book Day with the Elmer costume. Made up of yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black and white square patches, Elmer brings joy and fun to the elephant herd. Just like your little one brings joy and fun to their school class.

The Gruffalo

Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo

With curved horns, bright orange eyes and sharp pointed prickles down his back, bring the Gruffalo out of the deep dark forest and into your kids class with the Gruffalo fancy dress costume. But if you come across the mouse, don’t worry, he doesn’t actually eat gruffalo.

Horrid Henry

Francesca Simon’s Horrid Henry series

Let the naughty side of your child out this World Book Day with this Horrid Henry outfit. A day of rule-breaking and practical jokes, your little one will have the happiest horrid day before (hopefully) turning into the calm and well-behaved Perfect Peter for the rest of the year.

Cruella de Vil

Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Add a bit of evil to World Book Day this year with the instantly recognisable Cruella de Vil costume. Dressing up as the Villain that we all love-to-hate will create a great day of fun for your kid. Make sure you complete the look with the iconic black and white wig and dalmatian tights.

St Clare’s

Enid Blyton’s St Clare’s series

Swap your child's normal school uniform for the St Clare’s boarding school uniform. Following in the footsteps of twins Pat and Isabel O’Sullivan at St Clare’s, your little one could be the heroine of the day. Complete the look with these black tights.

Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar

On Monday your little one can eat through 1 apple, 2 pears on Tuesday, 3 plums on Wednesday, and on Thursday? They can dress up as the Hungry Caterpillar for World Book Day. If they’re still hungry, I’m sure they won’t refuse a lollipop, a cupcake, or some watermelon. Feed them well and one day they will transform into a beautiful butterfly.

Authors

William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens

Another option for World Book Day is for your child to dress up as a famous literary figure. For example, they could become the famous English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, famous for writing Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth. Or they could become the 19th century writer, Charles Dickens, famous for writing novels like Oliver Twist and Great Expectations.