World Book Day: Costumes using everyday clothes
World Book Day is just around the corner, and we know the excitement (and sometimes last-minute panic!) that comes with finding the perfect costume. But before you rush to buy something new, why not create a brilliant outfit from clothes your little one already owns?
At thelittleloop, we love a creative, low-waste approach to dressing up—because let’s be honest, costumes often get worn once and then forgotten. So, here are our top tips for making fun, eco-friendly World Book Day costumes using everyday clothes!
Paddington Bear 🐻🧥
A classic and super simple costume for little adventurers!
What you’ll need:
✔️ A blue coat or cardigan
✔️ A red hat (or any bright beanie!)
✔️ A small suitcase or brown bag
✔️ Some brown trousers
Extra touch: If you’ve got a jar, pop a label on it and call it ‘Marmalade’, Paddington would approve!
The Scarecrows’ Wedding 🌾💛
This sweet Julia Donaldson story makes the loveliest, low-effort DIY costume.
What you’ll need:
✔️ A gingham dress or shirt (red checks are perfect)
✔️ A straw hat or any floppy sun hat
✔️ A denim dungarees
✔️ A bit of ribbon, fabric scraps or faux flowers to pin on
Extra touch:
Add some raffia, shredded paper or even strips of brown fabric to sleeves or hems for that ‘just popped out of the field’ look. Bonus points for carrying a little bunch of flowers and practising your best scarecrow pose.
Dennis the Menace 🖤❤️
This comic-book classic is a brilliant (and very easy) DIY costume.
What you’ll need:
✔️ A red-and-black striped top (Breton stripes work perfectly)
✔️ Black shorts or joggers
✔️ Black tights (if it’s chilly)
✔️ A soft toy dog if you have one (hello, Gnasher!)
Extra touch:
Mess up their hair just a tiny bit (on purpose, obviously) and practise your best mischievous grin. Extra points for a cardboard catapult… just maybe leave the peas at home.
101 Dalmatians 🐶⚫⚪
Perfect for little animal lovers, and super easy to put together!
What you’ll need:
✔️ A spotted white T-shirt or jumper
✔️ Black leggings or joggers
✔️ A DIY dog ear headband (cut out ears from paper or felt and attach to a headband)
Extra touch: Use face paint or an eyeliner pencil to draw a little black nose and whiskers!
More Easy DIY Costume Ideas! 📚
Looking for more inspiration? Here are some simple, creative costume ideas you can put together using clothes you already own!
Top Tips for an Eco-Friendly World Book Day 🌱
✔️ Use what you have – raid your kids’ wardrobes before buying anything new!
✔️ Swap with friends – trade last year’s costumes with other parents.
✔️ Think beyond one day – choose outfits that can be worn again as everyday clothes.
✔️ Get crafty – a little creativity with cardboard and fabric scraps goes a long way!