World Book Day Costume Inspiration Spark Imagination at Busy Bees

World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the magic of reading and the power of storytelling.  

At Busy Bees, we love to help our little ones embrace their creativity and explore the wonderful world of books through exciting storytelling.  

This year, why not inspire your child to dress up as their favourite literary character for World Book Day? Whether it’s a classic fairy tale or a contemporary story, here are some fun and easy-to-create costume ideas as inspiration for World Book Day dressing up fun! 

Easy to Create World Book Day Costumes 

Stickman Costume 

Stickman is a heartwarming story written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. This tells the story of a beloved stick figure, Stick Man, who accidentally gets separated from his Stick Lady Love and three stick children. To transform your little one into Stick Man, all you’ll need is:  

• Brown clothing  

• Large pieces of brown felt or cardboard

• Markers or paint (optional) 

Cut out large, leaf-shaped pieces from the felt or cardboard. These will represent Stick Man’s hair and hands. You can use markers or paint to add details like eyes, a nose, and a mouth.  

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Costume

Eric Carle’s bold and brilliant illustrations are what make The Very Hungry Caterpillar so well-loved by children. From the concept of counting and delicious food throughout the days of the week through to the magical transformation into a beautiful butterfly, there is much to love.  

For your child to portray this lovable (and greedy!) caterpillar, you’ll need:  

• A long-sleeved green top 

• Brown trousers 

• Headband 

• Pipe cleaners

Simply bend the pipe cleaners into antennae shapes and attach them to the headband. It’s a simple, yet effective World Book Day costume that will transform your little one into a cute caterpillar in minutes!  

Elmer Costume

Elmer, the patchwork elephant created by David McKee, is a beloved children’s character known for his vibrant and unique patchwork skin. His story is a heartwarming one, where he learns to celebrate individuality, acceptance, and the beauty of being different.  

To bring Elmer to life in costume form, you’ll need: 

• Various coloured clothing items (t-shirts, shorts, socks) in bright and contrasting colours

• Fabric scraps (optional)

Have your child dress in a variety of coloured clothing. For an added touch, glue or attach on fabric scraps to create additional colourful patches

Trending Characters to World Book Day 

Matilda Costume 

A firm favourite among children, even more so since the recent film adaptation – is Matilda. The mischievous yet brilliant little girl in Roald Dahl’s book has an iconic look and rebellious nature, resonating with many children! What you’ll need to put together this World Book Day costume is:  

• Blue dress 

• White or pale tights 

• Red headband or ribbon 

• A book 

The Matilda costume is one of the simplest, yet effective ideas. The most important accessory is a book! Matilda is always seen with one, so encourage your child to choose their favourite to carry to complete the costume.  

Willy Wonka Costume

Willy Wonka is the legendary owner of the chocolate factory in Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” If your child loves chocolate, a Willy Wonka World Book Day costume will go down a treat! You’ll need:  

• Purple long-sleeved top, or jacket

• White shirt 

• Black or dark trousers 

• Top hat  

• Golden ticket made of card

The main element of this Willy Wonka costume is his eccentric purple jacket, but if you don’t have this – a long-sleeved purple top will also work. The top hat completes the iconic look. And as an added extra - a homemade golden ticket will make your little one look and feel the part on World Book Day.  

Beyond Costumes!

World Book Day isn’t just about the costumes, although they do add an element of fun to the day! Here are some additional ways to celebrate:  

• Storytime: Dedicate time each day to reading stories together, encouraging discussion and interaction with your child.  

• Add drama: Act out scenes from favourite books or create your own stories using props and costumes. 

• Arts and crafts: Make bookmarks, book covers, or character puppets inspired by your child’s favourite stories.  

We hope you have a wonderful World Book Day, and that your child has fun wearing their special costume!  

At Busy Bees, we are committed to fostering a love of reading throughout the year. We go beyond costumes and activities by providing a nurturing environment where children can explore the world of books through interactive play, creative exploration, and engaging storytelling.  

Learn more about how we can support you and your child. Every child deserves the best start to education, and we can’t wait to welcome you! Find your nearest nursery today.