Looking for easy Book Week costumes? Check out this list of affordable DIY costume inspiration!
The costume parade, a week full of fun reading activities, and maybe even an author visiting your school . . . it’s Book Week once again! This August, the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week initiative celebrates a special 80th anniversary, with the theme, ‘Book an Adventure’.
Finding a Book Week costume can certainly be an adventure, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. No need for an expensive, time-consuming costume – here is a list of kid-approved, easy Book Week costumes you can make from clothing and items you already have at home.
Scroll on for inspiration from some of the best Penguin Random House children’s books!
Easy Book Week Costumes for Little Readers (Kindy-Year 3)
Green Sheep from Where is the Green Sheep?
Based on the classic picture book, a Green Sheep is an easy (and fun) fluffy costume.
What you’ll need:
- Printable mask found here
- Green shirt
- Green pants
- Fluffy accessories (preferably green!)
Instructions:
Assemble your mask according to the instructions above, then don your green clothes, accessories and mask. Don’t forget your copy of Where is The Green Sheep? (if you can find it!)
Where is the Green Sheep is an easy Book Week costume idea for preschoolers
Bluey from the Bluey books
Yes, there are Bluey books! Bluey is super easy to dress up as, and great for sibling duos!
What you’ll need:
- Bluey or Bingo mask (template here)
- Blue top + pants (or orange, if you’re going as Bingo)
Instructions:
Assemble your mask, pop on your colours, and Wackadoo! You’re Bluey. If you want a challenge, why not dress as a Granny? Add a blanket, some silly glasses, and a can of beans, and you’re Rita to a tee.
The hugely popular Bluey makes a great easy Book Week costume
Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Relatable and easy to replicate, The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s insect protagonist is the perfect last-minute costume.
What you’ll need:
- Coloured paper (red, green, yellow and purple/pink)
- Cardboard
- Ruler
- Sticky tape
- Scissors
- Glue
- Green clothes
Instructions:
Simply assemble the mask according to the instructions below, pop on the green clothes, and voila!
Netball Besties from Jo Weston’s Netball Besties
Did you know goal defence superstar Jo Weston has her own books? If you’ve got your own Netball star, this is an easy costume they’ll love!
What you’ll need:
- Your netball uniform!
- Cute dog: optional
Instructions:
Put on your Netball uniform and strike your best Netball pose! If you have your own ‘Billie’ dog for a photo, even better.
Netball Besties is an easy Book Week costume for any little netballer.
Easy Book Week Costumes for Older Wordsmiths (Years 4-6)
Matilda from Roald Dahl’s Matilda
The ultimate bookworm makes the ultimate costume! Book Week is Matilda approved.
What you’ll need:
- Blue/dark coloured dress
- Red Ribbon
- Plenty of books!
Instructions:
Wear your dress, and tie your red ribbon either around your head, like a headband, or as a bow in your hair! Don’t forget your books: in a wagon, or backpack, or armful!
Roald Dahl’s Matilda is a much-loved classic
Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
Percy Jackson is always going on wild quests, and an orange ‘Camp Half-Blood’ t-shirt is unmistakably Percy-inspired. This look requires no accessories except your child’s favourite Percy book!
What you’ll need:
- Orange t-shirt
- Printable iron-on transfer paper (optional) or permanent marker
- Jeans
- Sneakers
Instructions:
Get suited up in Percy uniform! If you happen to have a Yankees cap, that’s an easy Annabeth costume as well (the cap’s invisibility powers are desirable but not necessary).
How to make a Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt:
If using iron-on transfer paper, print a ‘Camp Half-Blood Logo’ onto your iron-on paper. (Either Google ‘Camp Half-Blood’ logo, or design your own.)
Following the transfer paper instructions, apply the logo to the front of your orange t-shirt. Alternatively, you can also draw the logo on with a permanent marker!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Greg Heffley from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Fun fact: The author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Kinney, wrote some of Partypooper (the upcoming book 20 in the series) while he was here in Australia this year!
Greg is a simply hilarious character and simple to dress up as.
What you’ll need:
- White t-shirt
- Shorts or jeans
- Trainers
- Backpack
- Bonus: Walk with a slouch!
Instructions:
Throw on your clothes and backpack and slouch along like Greg. Be careful not to get the cheese touch!
Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a super-easy Book Week costume!
Hopefully, these costumes have stirred up some ideas. Don’t forget to bring a copy of the book to complete the look.
Happy Book Week from Penguin Kids!
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