World Book Day offers teachers a wonderful opportunity to inspire students' love of reading through creative costumes. Whether you work in early years, primary, or secondary schools, these fun and easy costume ideas will suit any educator. Drawing from beloved picture books, literary classics, and contemporary releases, there's a perfect character for every teacher and classroom this World Book Day.
Looking for more World Book Day inspiration? Visit our 20 Ideas for World Book Day for creative activities and lesson ideas to engage your class. You'll also find a wealth of downloadable resources, display materials and cross-curricular ideas in our comprehensive World Book Day Resources for Teachers collections.
Early years costume ideas for World Book Day
For those working with the youngest learners, these costumes are friendly, recognisable and guaranteed to delight your class:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Source: Coloring in Cardigans (left), @miss_williams on Instagram (right)
Transform into Eric Carle's beloved character with a green outfit as your base. Add pipe cleaner antennae and create a collection of felt or cardboard food items to pin to yourself throughout the day, mimicking the caterpillar's feast. For extra impact, wear butterfly wings like @miss_williams to demonstrate the metamorphosis during story time!
The Gruffalo
Source: @aacreatively on Instagram
Bring Julia Donaldson's fearsome forest creature to life with a brown outfit as your foundation. Add purple prickles down your back using felt or foam, create terrible claws from cardboard, and fashion orange eyes using face paint or a mask. Make it interactive by creating a wearable storybook with velcro-attached characters.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Source: Pinterest
Perfect for teachers who love interactive storytelling! Start with a blonde wig with Goldilocks' signature curls. Wear a blue dress with a white pinafore, similar to traditional fairy tale illustrations. Add white socks and black shoes. You could carry three different-sized bowls and spoons (labelled 'too hot', 'too cold', and 'just right'), and perhaps some porridge oats to demonstrate measurements. For extra engagement, create simple bear masks for three colleagues to join in the storytelling or go all out with bear costumes like @thoseprekteachers did for Halloween!
Room on the Broom Witch
Source: @rachaelburnett_ on TikTok
Repurpose a Halloween witch costume by adding creative touches from Julia Donaldson's story. Create a long plait, carry a wand and a cauldron filled with spell ingredients, and craft a special broomstick with spaces for all the animals. Add some mud splatters to represent the witch's adventures!
Mr Men or Little Miss Character
Source: @StEdwards_Prep on X
Perfect for group costumes! Choose your character and wear their signature colour head-to-toe. Create a large circular name badge and use face paint or a mask to recreate their distinctive expression. For extra fun, act out your character's personality throughout the day, just like the teachers at St Edward's Prep.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Source: @wherethewildkidsgo on TikTok
Recreate Judith Kerr's famous tiger with an orange outfit decorated with black stripes (use fabric paint or tape). Add furry ears, a tail, and tiger face paint like rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"@wherethewildkidsgo. Carry a large teacup and saucer as props and perhaps some empty food packaging to represent the tiger's enormous appetite!
Paddington Bear
Source: @mrstexasteacher on TikTok
Become everyone's favourite marmalade-loving bear with a blue duffle coat (or dress with buttons like @mrstexasteacher), a red hat, and Wellington boots. Add bear ears, carry a marmalade sandwich and don't forget Paddington's signature luggage tag! A suitcase full of props can make for entertaining storytime interactions.
Dear Zoo
Source: @mrs_zuideveld on Instagram
Perfect for early years teachers! Create a large cardboard box decorated like a crate to wear over your outfit. Add animal-themed accessories like a toy snake around your shoulders or a toy monkey clipped to your back. For extra engagement, carry smaller boxes with different toy animals to recreate the story's reveal moments during circle time, or you could team-up with colleagues to tell the story across your early years team!
Stick Man
Source: Pinterest
Embrace Julia Donaldson's woodland hero with brown clothing as your base. Create 'branches' from brown foam or card to attach to your arms and legs, and fashion a leafy headpiece. Add details like wood grain patterns using fabric paint or tape and carry a family tree photo to share Stick Man's journey home.
The Highway Rat
Source: Newport Infant School and Nursery
Channel this dastardly Julia Donaldson character with a black cape, tricorn hat and rat ears, or a mask like this teacher from Newport Infant School. Add a sword (safely made from foam or cardboard), a swishing tail and a bag of 'stolen' treats. Draw whiskers with face paint and practice your best villainous laugh!
Primary school teacher costume ideas for World Book Day
These costumes are perfect for engaging primary school children:
Mary Poppins
Source: Reddit
Channel everyone's favourite magical nanny with a crisp white blouse, black skirt and tailored blazer (or a simple black dress). Essential accessories include a proper parrot-handled umbrella, vintage-style carpet bag, and a black boater hat with artificial flowers. Add white gloves, sensible black shoes, and perhaps a tape measure marked with personality traits. For extra authenticity, create a "spoonful of sugar" prop using a vintage medicine spoon and some glitter!
The BFG
Source: Party Delights
Transform into Roald Dahl's beloved giant with oversized ears (craft from felt or foam), a waistcoat over a billowy shirt, and sandals with extra-long socks. Create magical dream jars using cleaned jam jars filled with coloured water, glitter, and battery-operated fairy lights - label each with dream descriptions like "flying with dolphins" or "becoming invisible". Add some grey face paint for wrinkles and carry a trumpet for "blowing" dreams!
The Cat in the Hat
Source: Pinterest
Bring Dr Seuss's chaotic character to life with an oversized red and white striped top hat (make your own from card or fabric), a red bow tie, and crisp white gloves. Wear all black underneath, add cat ears, and paint on whiskers and a black nose. Carry Thing 1 and Thing 2 puppets or a fish bowl with a blue paper fish for interactive storytelling opportunities!
Miss Trunchbull from Matilda
Source: Pinterest
Channel Roald Dahl's terrifying headmistress with a khaki or olive green dress, thick leather belt, and sturdy boots. Pull your hair into a tight bun, add thick sports socks, and don't forget the essential whistle on a lanyard. To recreate the classic look from the movie, get an oversized grey sweatshirt, thick waist belt, black jogging bottoms and an old gym bag. Carry a selection of props like a chocolate cake tin, newt jar or shot put for dramatic effect. Perfect for teachers who love to stay in character!
Miss Honey from Matilda
Source: Pinterest
Embody Matilda's kind-hearted teacher with a modest floral or pastel dress, cardigan, and simple headband. Add reading glasses, carry a stack of beloved books, and perhaps a small chalkboard with an inspiring quote. This costume works brilliantly paired with Miss Trunchbull for a dramatic contrast!
Where's Wally
Source: @emmagarnett87 on X
Perfect for hiding around the school! Don the iconic red and white striped jumper, blue trousers, and matching bobble hat. Add round black glasses and carry a wooden walking stick. Make it interactive by creating a scavenger hunt where students must spot you throughout the day. Works brilliantly as a group costume - invite colleagues to dress as Wenda, Odlaw or Wizard Whitebeard!
Mr Twit from The Twits
Source: Pinterest
Transform into Roald Dahl's disgustingly memorable character with a deliberately messy shirt and trousers, braces and the most important feature - a wild, food-filled beard (either grown or fake). Add bits of craft foam "food" to your beard, mess up your hair, and carry a pot of "wormy spaghetti". Warning: this costume might put students off their lunch!
Gangsta Granny
Source: @karrinebeasley on Youtube
Become David Walliams' notorious jewel thief with a grey wig (or rollers), classic "granny" dress and a string of pearls. Add thick-rimmed glasses, a cardigan, and comfy slippers. Carry a handbag filled with "stolen" crown jewels (plastic gems), cabbage-flavoured sweets and perhaps a blueprint of the Tower of London. Perfect for teaching about not judging books by their covers!
Little People, Big Dreams Characters
Source: @miss.georgi on Instagram
Perfect for teaching about inspiring historical figures! Choose your favourite character from this beloved series. For Frida Kahlo, wear a colourful Mexican-style dress, add some artificial flowers in your hair, and draw on her distinctive eyebrows. Paint on a slight moustache and add some statement jewellery. Carry a small paintbrush and palette as props.
For Jane Goodall, opt for a simple khaki shirt and shorts or trousers, add a pair of binoculars around your neck, and carry a notebook and toy chimpanzee. Style your hair in her signature ponytail and perhaps add some hiking boots. This costume works brilliantly for outdoor learning!
The White Witch from Narnia
Source: Pinterest
Rule over Narnia as C.S. Lewis's iconic villain in a flowing white or ice-blue dress with sparkly accents. Create a crystal crown using clear plastic or card, carry a staff made from painted PVC pipe, and add faux fur trim to your outfit. Offer Turkish Delight to really get into character (but unlike the witch, share it with everyone!). Add silver face paint and frost your eyebrows with white face paint for an extra magical touch.
Secondary school teacher costume ideas for World Book Day
For teachers working with older students, these literary costumes - ranging from classic literature to contemporary young adult fiction - make great choices for teachers, librarians and other school staff dressing up on World Book Day.
Professor McGonagall
Source: Pinterest
Channel your inner Transfiguration teacher with a long black academic gown or robe, emerald green tartan accessories, and wire-rimmed spectacles. Add a pointed witch's hat and carry a wand for authenticity. You could even add a toy cat to represent her Animagus form!
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
Source: WereCallingShenaningans.com
Create this dystopian hero's look with cargo trousers, a black t-shirt and a leather jacket. Add a mock bow and arrow set (ensure it follows school safety guidelines), and create Katniss's signature braid. Pin a golden mockingjay brooch to your jacket for the finishing touch.
Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games
Source: Pinterest
Create this flamboyant Capitol escort's look with an outrageous pastel-coloured wig (pink, purple, or mint green work well), paired with an equally bold, structured dress or suit in metallic or bright colours. Add dramatic false eyelashes, bright lipstick, and draw small decorative patterns on your face with face paint or temporary tattoos. Complete the look with high heels, statement jewellery, and don't forget her signature catchphrase "May the odds be ever in your favour!".
Thursday Next from the Literary Detective series
Source: Pinterest
Perfect for English teachers! Wear a professional detective outfit with a badge labelled "SpecOps-27 Literary Detective." Carry a copy of Jane Eyre and add a pet dodo bird toy on your shoulder for authenticity.
Hermione Granger
Source: Pinterest
Go for the classic look from the Harry Potter book/film series, or channel the grown-up version of Hermione, dressing as a Ministry of Magic employee with a smart business suit, wizard robes and Hermione's wand. Carry law books and S.P.E.W. badges, and don't forget her signature bushy hair and determined expression.
Jane Eyre
Source: Silver Petticoat Review (Photo: BBC)
Create this classic Victorian governess look with a full-length dark dress, preferably with a high neck and long sleeves. Add a white collar and a simple brooch, and pull your hair back into a neat bun. Complete the look with a leather-bound book and perhaps a candlestick holder for added authenticity.
Sherlock Holmes
Source: @bmeaderz on TikTok
Don the iconic detective's look with a tweed cape or Inverness coat, deerstalker hat, and magnifying glass - just like @bmeaderz, who created a simple and effective Sherlock Holmes costume. Add a pipe (prop only!) and perhaps a notebook for jotting down clues. For extra detail, include a Victorian-style waistcoat and pocket watch.
Mr Darcy
Source: Pinterest
Embrace Austen's romantic hero with a period-appropriate outfit: dark tailcoat or frock coat, high-collared white shirt with a perfectly tied cravat, and waistcoat. Add riding boots or period-appropriate shoes, and style your hair in a slightly tousled manner. Don't forget the haughty expression!
Miss Havisham from Great Expectations
Source: Pinterest
A simple yet dramatic costume that requires minimal effort. Wear a white or cream dress (it doesn't need to be fancy - any pale-colored dress will do), and add some artificial cobwebs or dust using cotton wool. Leave your hair slightly messy and carry around an old clock stopped at a specific time. This costume works particularly well if you're teaching Dickens!
Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein
Source: BBC Bitesize
Transform into Mary Shelley's ambitious scientist with a Victorian-style outfit: a dark waistcoat over a white shirt with ruffled cuffs, and tailored trousers. Add a dishevelled laboratory coat with subtle scorch marks or chemical stains and style your hair to look wild and unkempt. For added drama, apply subtle dark circles under your eyes to suggest sleepless nights spent in scientific pursuit.
Tips for creating your World Book Day costume
Consider these helpful suggestions when planning your World Book Day outfit:
- Choose a character from a book your students are familiar with
- Keep the costume comfortable enough to teach in all day
- Consider the practical aspects of your teaching schedule
- Use props to make your character more recognisable
- Plan ahead to source or create costume elements
Remember, the goal is to inspire students and make reading fun, so choose a character that allows you to stay enthusiastic and engaged throughout the day.
