If there’s one week in the whole school calendar that kids love most, it’s Book Week. As it turns out, it’s often the very same week that makes parents reel in horror.
If you’re a mum with zero creative muscle or zero time, if the thought of creating complex costumes for your kids leaves you in a cold sweat (and there’s a LOT of us), this is for you!
I’ve scoured Pinterest for 11 easy Book Week costumes which are a cinch to pull off without tears or tantrums. Many can be knocked together in just an hour or two (definitely in a weekend). Let the inspiration begin!
1. Gangsta Granny
From David Walliams comes the ever-so-sneaky, ever-so-cheeky (and everyone’s favourite Grandma), Gangsta Granny and her grandson Ben. A wig (here’s a handy DIY wig tutorial), a cushion hunch back and a bag of loot and you’re on your way!
2. Captain Underpants
You’ll bring all the giggles to the parade with this Captain Underpants costume. Cue fits of hysterical laughter.
3. Storey Treehouse
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s Storey Treehouse collection is a smash hit series with so many kids. Go on, dress them as that awesome tree! Make it from coloured card or grab a glue gun and some fake greenery from Kmart.
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The character Greg Heffley of Diary of a Wimpy Kid fame is COMPLETELY DOABLE. I’m absolutely cheering this one on for my own primary schooler this year. Here’s a free download and print Greg mask to get you started.
5. The Paper Bag Princess
Head to Kmart for a roll of brown paper and you have yourself an instant Paper Bag Princess costume. Score!
6. Matilda
Prim and proper is the name of the game with Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Be sure to keep chaos at bay with a toy lizard or frog in the jar and not a real newt! Of course, there’s lots of fun to be had dressing up as straight-laced Ms Trunchbull too!
7. The Magic School Bus
For The Magic School Bus fans – Ms Frizzle, come on down! Print off the galaxy and pin it to a dress! For a truly out of this world costume, paint half a dozen styrofoam balls from a $2 store and thread them to a headband using some fishing line.
8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
You’re only a pair of scissors and a few sheets of card away from creating your very own wriggly The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Easy Book Week costumes don’t come any easier!
9. Audrey Hepburn
Perhaps the easiest of them all, dress your little Miss in head to toe black, oversized glasses and a strand of fake pearls. Amp up the sass and she’s set to make her best Audrey Hepburn (from the Little People, Big Dreams series or from Truman Capote’s iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s novel for older kids) mark in the classroom.
10. Charlie Bucket
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Charlie Bucket is an easy, reachable target for Book Week. That grandpa style hat finishes the outfit perfectly. if you’re feeling a little extra, go the extra mile creating a chocolate factory golden ticket costume. So fancy, so shiny!
11. Charlie and Lola
Sticking with the Charlie theme comes our favourite sibling set, Charlie and Lola. This one’s perfect for twins or best friends and is as easy as dressing the kids in their own clothes and printing up a couple of Charlie and Lola masks. Way too easy!
Happy Book Week to all of our Mum Central families! May the DIY force be with you! Need more inspiration? Don’t miss these 33 other easy Book Week costumes. Plus, here are another 47 Brilliant Book Week Costumes to Pinch.
