8 Great World Book Day Costume Ideas
World Book Day 2026 takes place on Thursday 5th March 2026 in the UK, bringing schools and families together to celebrate the magic of storytelling. This year is particularly special as it has been designated the National Year of Reading in the UK, with the aim to encourage people of all ages to get reading again! The official Book Week theme for 2026, Read Your Way, is all about encouraging children to explore stories in a way that feels personal and exciting to them.
If you’re searching for imaginative yet simple World Book Day costume ideas, we’ve rounded up eight character transformations that are creative, recognisable and refreshingly easy to put together. From timeless classics to modern favourites, these World Book Day costumes are perfect for busy parents and excitable little book lovers.
8 Easy World Book Day Costume Ideas for Kids
1. The Enormous Crocodile – The Enormous Crocodile (Roald Dahl)
Inspired by the gloriously greedy reptile from Roald Dahl’s much-loved story, this is a brilliant option for children who love playing cheeky characters. A crocodile mask instantly brings the personality to life, and pairing it with green clothing creates a bold, cohesive look in seconds. Check out our favourite fiesty croc mask from Fiesta Crafts!
This idea works particularly well for younger children because it’s easy to put on and take off again, making it ideal for a full day at school. It’s also a great conversation starter, helping children talk confidently about their chosen story and favourite chapters. For families looking for World Book Day ideas that are playful but uncomplicated, this snappy choice ticks every box.
2. Fireman Sam – Fireman Sam
A firefighter outfit for kids is always a popular pick, especially for fans of the children's classic character Fireman Sam. Recognisable and packed with role-play potential, our firefighter dress up set is a fun costume that empowers little ones to feel more confident.
Add a classic helmet to complete the transformation, and your little one is ready to save the day. This look is perfect for energetic children who prefer dressing up clothes that don't feel uncomfortable when they move a lot. This heroic set also doubles up brilliantly for imaginative play long after World Book Day is over, making it a versatile addition to any costume box.
3. Feathers McGraw – Wallace & Gromit
The famously silent penguin villain from Wallace & Gromit is a wonderfully quirky option. A simple penguin mask, such as our 3D Craft mask from Fiesta, paired with black and white clothing creates an instantly recognisable character with minimal effort.
This is a clever choice for parents looking for an easy World Book Day costume that can be put together at the last minute (no judgement here!), as the overall look can be achieved with everyday wardrobe staples. Alternatively, the same mask could transform your child into Jonty Gentoo from Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin by Julia Donaldson, making it a flexible and creative option for different reading tastes.
4. Knight – Inspired by the Horrible Histories books (Terry Deary)
Historical costumes offer a fantastic opportunity to blend literacy with learning, especially for kids who love the Horrible Histories books (or the TV show!). The series by Terry Deary is packed with funny and fascinating facts, exploring eras from Rotten Romans to Vile Victorians in a way that makes history fun and memorable. These books are full of larger-than-life characters and adventurous stories that inspire imaginative play and storytelling.
A knight costume is a perfect way to bring these historical tales to life. Many Horrible Histories books dive into medieval times and knightly adventures, making this an ideal choice for children who enjoy dressing as popular book characters with an adventurous, historical twist. A knight helmet mask creates an instant medieval makeover, while adding a homemade cardboard shield adds extra flair. The perfect children's world book day costume for action-packed World Book Day celebrations and classroom history activities alike.
5. Zog – Zog the Dragon (Julia Donaldson)
Dragons are always a favourite among popular book characters, and Zog is no exception. A bright red dragon mask captures the spirit of this enthusiastic student dragon perfectly.
This look can also represent other fiery favourites, such as Red from The Red Red Dragon (Lynne Reid Banks) offering even more storytelling possibilities. Comfortable, colourful and bold, dragon-inspired kids costumes are fantastic for imaginative personalities who love to stand out in the playground parade.
6. Postman Pat – Postman Pat
Few characters are as timeless as Postman Pat. A mail carrier outfit is instantly recognisable and wonderfully nostalgic for parents, while still feeling relevant for today’s young readers.
These kids costumes are simple to assemble and easy to wear throughout the school day. Add a small satchel for “letters” and your child can stay in character while interacting with classmates. It’s a charming nod to classic British storytelling and a dependable choice among children’s book day costumes.
7. Vida- Vida the Vet
Give your child a chance to step into the caring boots of Vida the Vet, the compassionate ten‑year‑old animal doctor beloved on CBeebies. In this animated preschool series, Vida uses her big heart, quick thinking and gentle problem‑solving skills to help woodland creatures feel better, from injured rabbits to tigers with sore teeth.
For animal lovers, dressing as a vet is a natural choice. A medic-style outfit combined with our veterinary set and one of your little one's soft animals creates a caring, story-inspired character that celebrates compassion and curiosity. Easy to wear and fuss-free, this idea encourages role-play and links beautifully to books centred around animals and community helpers. It’s also a costume that can be reused again and again for pretend play at home.
8. Unicorn – There's a Unicorn in Your Book (Tom Fletcher)
Unicorns remain one of the most magical kids book characters to bring to life. Inspired by Tom Fletcher’s interactive tale, a unicorn mask paired with bright or pastel clothing creates a joyful and eye-catching look.
Children could also take inspiration from Uni in Uni the Unicorn (Amy Krouse Rosenthal) adding even more sparkle to their school celebrations. This option is ideal for girls and boys who are obsessed with magical creatures and love all things sparkly. Among all the kids dress up possibilities, a unicorn always feels unique.
Find More Dress Up Ideas for World Book Day
Whether your child prefers daring dragons or everyday heroes, these easy World Book Day costume ideas make celebrating stories simple and stress-free. By choosing outfits that are easy to throw together and comfortable to wear, you can focus on what truly matters... sharing a love of reading.
Shop our incredible kids' dress up range and Fiesta Crafts’ masks on our website and create the best World Book Day costume for your little one! Don’t forget to tag us in all your amazing #WorldBookDay posts at @bigjigstoys on Instagram.