World Book Day 2021 takes place on Thursday 4 March, and while children are usually celebrating in school and nursery dressing up as their favourite characters there’s still lots you can do from home to celebrate the day. From special £1 books available for children of all ages to a range of free online events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while staying safe at home.
If your child wants to dress up this year and you’re yet to arrange a costume for them, don’t worry! We’ve pulled together some ideas for brilliant homemade creations you can make with your child without having to head out to buy a costume, using everyday items you’ll find around your home.
Matilda
The sweet young girl created by renowned children’s author Roald Dahl can easily be recreated by dressing your child in a blue dress, with a red hair ribbon and a pile of books.
Peter Rabbit
The timeliness Beatrix Potter creation doesn’t need much more than a blue t-shirt or jumper, dark trousers, bunny ears (made with cardboard and attached to a headband) and a bag of carrots from the fridge. Add whiskers to your child’s face with face paint or makeup for an extra bunny-like look!
Harry Potter
A popular choice for children and parents a-like, Harry Potter can be recreated using a white shirt and normal dark trousers/skirt, then add the iconic circular glasses and thunder bolt scar using face paint or make up. Lastly, pick up a stick from your garden or local park for an improvised wand.
Top tip: Do you have a cape from a leftover Hallowe'en outfit to finish off the look?
Mr Bump
One of our personal favourites from the timeless Mr Men collection by Roger Hargreaves. To create this look dress your child in blue and then get creative with the household toilet roll for bandages and plasters!
The Boy in the Dress
The first book in the series by David Walliams and illustrated by Quentin Blake, The Boy in the Dress is another quick win. Simply dress your child in a dress with t-shirt and trousers underneath and a football.
101 Dalmatians
A classic 1956 children’s novel by Dodie Smith which was later created into a much loved Walt Disney movie. To create this look dress your child in a white t-shirt and add spots with a black marker or felt tip. To finish the look add a black nose with facepaint or makeup!
The Illustrated Mum
An excellent option for slightly older children based on the novel The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson. Grab a pair of jeans and vest top from your child’s wardrobe and add some fake tattoos with face paint or makeup. You can complete the look with some large gold hoop earrings if your child’s school allows!
Thing 1 / Thing 2
This option is perfect for siblings in the same school, or for a child who wants to dress up with their best friend. Thing 1 and Thing 2 feature in Dr Seuss’ classic Cat in the Hat and can be created quickly at home. Dress the children in red t-shirt/jumper and create circular ‘thing 1’ and ‘thing 2’ badges with paper and felt tips, and attach them with safety pins. If you want to go all out, you could finish the look with blue wigs, or a hat made from blue paper.
Gansta Granny
Another from the bestselling and fastest growing children’s author David Walliams. For this look you’ll need a ‘granny-style’ cardigan or jumper, slippers, a pair of tan tights (the longer and saggier the better!) and talcum powder for ‘grey hair’. Finish this look with a black eye mask or paint one on with face paint/makeup and a bin liner with crumpled paper for a makeshift loot sack.
Elmer the Elephant
Why not recreate the famous David McKee character! For this look you’ll need a white t-shirt and felt tip pens to create the ‘patchwork’ effect. You can add to the look by creating matching ears from a cardboard box to attach to a headband and a trunk to attach with string or elastic.
For more information or to view the full range of events this year, visit the official World Book Day 2021 website: https://www.worldbookday.com/
