Every year it rolls around and takes me by surprise.
I get World Book Day notification pings in the School Spider app my children’s school uses, but I only ever half read those notifications at the best of times, so when I’m busy, sleep deprived, the cupboards are bare and the hoovering hasn’t been done for 2 weeks – it gets forgotten.
Then the parent’s Whatsapp group lights up with panicked messages, questions that have already been answered in the School Spider notification, and one or two parents (who everyone secretly hates) showing off pictures of their kid’s costumes already made and ready to go.
And then the day arrives, and of course you haven’t got anything done about it. They need a costume, a book to swap, and – inexplicably – a potato to paint as their favourite story book character. This was genuinely what the school asked for this year, I am not making this up.
Well obviously, I hadn’t made a costume, and as you already know, my cupboards are bare. The book swap is easy enough, they both have about a thousand books they have never read so I can grab any one of those, but I’m in trouble with the other stuff.
Hear this World Book Day: you are a chore.
(I Don’t Actually Hate World Book Day)
Just quickly.
I’m ranting about it a bit here, but I don’t actually hate World Book Day. It’s brilliant and I completely see the value.
I’m a reader – or at least I was a reader before I had kids and no longer had enough time to sleep, let alone to read – and I want my kids to be readers too. I know how powerful stories can be and I love how they can ignite imaginations, especially in tiny people.
From a totally logistical perspective though, it’s a nightmare for working parents.
So yes, I groan when I see the notification come through, and I stress the night before when I still haven’t sorted the costume out, but I am very glad that it exists, and so are my children.
Quick and Easy Costumes
So, onto the bit you were probably looking for, some super quick and easy costumes.
It doesn’t matter if these are your child’s favourite characters or not, all that matters is that you can have them dressed up and out of the door inside of 5 minutes.
Harry Potter
This one is practically the go to emergency option of World Book Day, and for good reason.
All you need is:
- A white shirt
- A dark jumper or cardigan
- A striped tie if you have one
- Round glasses (optional but helpful)
Mess the hair up a little and draw a small lightning scar on the forehead with eyeliner. Done.
If your child happens to own a wand, great. If not, a stick from the garden works perfectly well in a pinch. You can draw or print a Gryffindor badge on some paper, cut it out, and stick it on with tape if you want to push the boat out.
Matilda
Matilda is one of the easiest book characters ever to recreate, which is probably why so many parents quietly rely on it.
You’ll need:
- A blue dress or skirt
- Cardigan
- Red bow in the hair if you are going for the 1996 film version
- A stack of books
That’s genuinely it.
If your child wants to lean into the character, they can carry a book around all day or tuck one under their arm like a tiny genius heading to the library.
Where’s Wally
If you happen to have a red and white striped top anywhere in the house, you’re basically finished before you start. It doesn’t even need to fit.
Add:
- Jeans
- A bobble hat if you have one
- Round glasses
The cane is optional. A Where’s Wally book is a good alternative accessory too. Even if the hat and glasses are missing, most teachers will still recognise it instantly. Or you can draw the glasses on with eye liner 😂
Charlie Bucket
Charlie Bucket is perfect for World Book Day because the costume is basically… normal clothes.
You’ll need:
- A jumper or cardigan
- Jeans or simple trousers
- Slightly messy hair (optional but accurate)
Keep the clothes scruffy looking.
The key prop is the Golden Ticket, which is what you will spend your 5 minutes making. Yellow card will do, or white card coloured in. As long as it says ‘Golden Ticket’ on it somewhere you’re good. Anyone who’s read Charlie And The Chocolate Factory will recognise it immediately.
Gangsta Granny
David Walliams characters are brilliant for last-minute costumes because they’re based on normal clothing.
For Gangsta Granny, try:
- A cardigan
- Skirt
- Slippers if you have them
- Grey hair spray or a bit of flour dusted lightly through the hair
Add a small handbag or walking stick and the character becomes instantly recognisable.
Relax and Get Creative
I’m a good three World Book Day costumes in now, so I have been through the competitive panic mindset of the first year, and quickly got to the “oh God not this again” mindset all the other parents seem to have.
Except the few who take it really seriously, but we ignore them.
My biggest tip is to relax and just get creative. No one is going to miss playtime because their costume wasn’t good enough, and you won’t be getting a call from the head teacher, so as long as your kids have something to go as they will be happy and feel involved.
Here’s another tip for you, watch what the older kids are sent in wearing, and copy that the next year. Their parents are veterans, they know all the tricks, so learn from them.
Of course it is better to have something ready a few days before, but let’s face it, that’s not going to happen, is it? So bring it on World Book Day, I’m ready for you whenever you pop up to surprise me, with 5 minute costume ideas courtesy of Harry Potter, Matilda, Charlie Bucket, and friends.
Although I couldn’t do anything about the potato 🥔📖