Book Week is back (again), and yes – your child probably needs a full costume ASAP. This year’s theme is “Book an Adventure.” Translation: You’re about to be elbow-deep in glitter glue unless you’ve got a plan.
This guide isn’t here to impress Pinterest. It’s here to help real parents – whether you’ve got a costume-loving kindy kid, a sensory-sensitive star, or a tween who refuses to dress up unless it involves a hoodie and zero effort. We’ve got you.
For official details pop over to the Children’s Book Council of Australia.
Table of Contents
- Timeless Book Character Costumes
- Fast, Fun & Fail-Proof Costumes
- Inclusive & Sensory-Friendly Options
- Wheelchair-Inclusive Builds
- Teachers, We See You
- Reusable Costume Ideas
- Costumes You Can Pull from a Laundry Basket
- Characters Kids Actually Read
Timeless Book Character Costumes
These classics always get a smile (and usually a teacher’s nod of approval).
- Matilda
- Where’s Wally
- The Cat in the Hat
- Alice in Wonderland
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Peter Pan
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Little Red Riding Hood
- The Big Bad Wolf
- Goldilocks
- The Three Bears
- The Three Little Pigs
- The Gruffalo
- The Rainbow Fish
- The Paper Bag Princess
- Pippi Longstocking
- Winnie the Pooh
- Piglet
- Tigger
- Madeline
- Angelina Ballerina
- Pinocchio
- Tin Man (Wizard of Oz)
- The Good Witch (Wizard of Oz)
- Dorothy (Wizard of Oz)
- Hermione Granger
- Harry Potter
- Ron Weasley
- Luna Lovegood
- Mary Poppins
- Gryffindor
- The Rainbow Fairy Series
- The Worst Witch
- Cinderella
- Snow White
- Rapunzel
- Belle
- Horrid Henry
- Captain Hook
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Willy Wonka
- Charlie Bucket
- Fantastic Mr. Fox
- The Big Friendly Giant
- The Lorax
- Thing 1 & Thing 2
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- Superworm
- The Highway Rat
- Frozen
No-Sew & DIY Book Week Costumes
If you’ve got a hot glue gun, a box of craft odds and ends, or the sheer will to make something from scratch at 10pm, these are for you.
- Glinda the Good Witch (tulle skirt, tiara, sparkles, shoes)
- The Cat in the Hat (paper hat, white tee, black pants)
- Thing 1 & Thing 2 (red tee, blue wig or hair spray, DIY label)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Greg mask printed from the internet)
- Rainbow Fish (felt scales glued to a shirt)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar (green shirt, felt fruit)
- Pirate (striped tee, eye patch, cardboard sword)
- Wizard (dressing gown + wand)
- Princess (reused dress-up gear)
- Wombat from Diary of a Wombat (brown outfit, drawn-on nose)
Fast, Fun & Fail-Proof Costumes
These ideas are low-stress, high-impact. Bonus points if you don’t have to buy a thing.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Print Greg’s face, tape it to a stick. Done.
- Cat in the Hat – Paper top hat, black tee, red ribbon.
- Crayon (The Day the Crayons Quit) – One-colour outfit + homemade label.
- Rainbow Fish – Glue some felt circles to a shirt.
- Wombat (from Diary of a Wombat) – Brown hoodie, drawn-on nose.
PRO Tip: The Secret Weapon for Last-Minute Costumes
Need to stick on felt, cardboard, or a giant googly eye without dragging out the sewing machine? Clutch Glue is a genius Aussie startup product originally made as “liquid boob tape” (yes, really), but it turns out it’s perfect for Book Week chaos, too. It temporarily bonds fabric, felt, and crafty bits, washes off easily with water (not sweat!), and makes no-sew costumes actually doable. Keep a tube in your drawer – you’ll thank us when the glue gun’s gone walkabout.
Inclusive & Sensory-Friendly Options
Every kid deserves to feel part of the fun without meltdowns or discomfort.
- Pyjama Characters – Think Goodnight Moon, Time for Bed.
- Bookworm – Favourite hoodie, fake glasses, carry a book.
- Crayon – Soft trackie set, matching colour.
- Librarian – Comfy clothes + “I love books” badge.
Tips:
- Let them choose from a visual list.
- Avoid itchy, clingy fabrics.
- Have a no-pressure Plan B (even just a sticker that says “Bookworm”).
Wheelchair-Inclusive Builds
Use the chair as part of the costume = genius and fun.
- The Magic School Bus – Cardboard panels and yellow paint.
- The Giant Peach – Orange fabric drape; your child is James or a bug.
- Astronaut – Tin foil spaceship sides, helmet optional.
- Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Cart – Add some candy props and gold foil.
Or keep it simple:
- Professor X – Suit jacket and shades.
- Bookworm – Green blanket, book, glasses.
Teachers, We See You
Keep it comfy, clear, and not too terrifying for the Preppies.
- Miss Frizzle (The Magic School Bus)
- Where’s Wally
- Elphaba (green face optional)
- The Queen of Hearts
- Cranky Bear
- Professor Minerva McGonagall
- Dumbledore
- Hagrid
- The Worst Witch
- Gandalf the Grey
- Frodo Baggins
- The White Witch
- Merlin
- Queen Elizabeth I
- Cleopatra
- Joan of Arc
- Robin Hood
Reusable Costume Ideas
Make it once, use it forever. (Halloween, school play, random Tuesday…)
- Pirate
- Superhero (comic book edition)
- Witch/Wizard
- Animal onesie
- Detective
- Dinosaur
- Princess
Last-Minute Book Week Lifesavers
Found the note in the bottom of the schoolbag this morning? Of course you did. Here’s how to MacGyver a Book Week costume with zero prep, zero spend, and maybe a bit of tape.
1. Pyjamas = Instant Bedtime Book Hero
Pull out their cutest PJs and claim it’s a character from Goodnight Moon, Time for Bed, or literally any bedtime-themed book.
Bonus: zero costume complaints.
Optional prop: A teddy and a yawn.
2. School Uniform = Sports Book Character
No costume? No problem. Slap on their school uniform and say they’re a star from any sports-themed book (Specky Magee, anyone?). Add a soccer ball if you’re feeling extra.
Effort level: Blink and it’s done.
3. Add a Crown = Royalty, Sorted
Aluminium foil. Cardboard. Even the paper crown from last month’s birthday cake. Boom—they’re a prince, princess, or ruler from literally any fairytale.
Suggested title: “Queen of the Couch.”
4. Glasses + Book = Bookworm
Raid the costume drawer or fake it with cardboard cut-outs. Let them carry a book (or ten). Claim it’s a nod to every book character ever.
Bonus points: Add a sticker that says “Ask Me What I’m Reading.”
5. Onesie + Sticky Label = Character in 60 Seconds
Animal onesie lying around? Write “I’m Wombat” or “I’m The Gruffalo” on a Post-it, stick it on their chest, and send them out the door.
Real talk: No one will question it. They’re just glad you tried.
Pro Tip: Commit with Confidence
Whatever you throw together, say it with conviction. Kids don’t care, and teachers have seen everything. The goal is to get out the door, not win the Met Gala.
Characters Kids Actually Read and Love
Need more inspiration? These characters are popular because kids actually love the stories.
- Matilda
- Harry Potter
- The Gruffalo
- Pig the Pug
- The BFG
- Dog Man
- Bluey
- The Day the Crayons Quit
- Possum Magic
- Alice in Wonderland
- Pippi Longstocking
Sources:
- The Greatest Books – Top 100 Children’s Books
- BookTrust – 100 Best Children’s Books
- TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time
- Australian library & CBCA favourites
Where to Grab Costumes, Craft Bits and Lifesavers (Without Losing Your Mind)
Need a costume now? Or maybe just a glue stick that hasn’t gone crusty since last Easter? We’ve found a few go-to spots to make Book Week a little easier.
OzSale: Our favourite one stop shop. They often have discounted kids’ dress-ups, props and basics that double as costume pieces. Think capes, character PJs, and accessories you can use again and again.
CostumeBox: One of Australia’s largest costume stores. They’ve got everything from book week to Halloween, and offer accessories, wigs, and group outfits too. Great for both kids and adults!
BannerBuzz AU: While best known for signage, they also do custom printed items. They’re excellent for custom labels, personalised stickers, magnetic signage and more. Think name tags, pantry labels, or even back-to-school supplies. They also offer foam boards, poster paper and large-scale card stock, ideal for school projects, party signs, or DIY displays.
Bargain Avenue: A great all-rounder with loads of budget-friendly craft supplies, office items, kids’ activities and home organisation bits. Think paper, paints, and fun kits for the little ones.
Bang Good: If you’re chasing bulk sets of markers, washi tape, crafting tools or DIY kits, this site has lots of quirky, affordable options – just allow a bit of shipping time.
AMF Magnetics: If you’re after magnetic sheets, labels, or craft magnets for school projects or costume DIYs, they’ve got you sorted.
Book Week doesn’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect moment. Whether you’ve been planning for months or cobbled something together five minutes before the bell, it’s about celebrating stories. Don’t stress the glitter. If your kid walks into school feeling like their favourite character – or at least not crying – you’ve won Book Week. Ultimately, that should be the goal. For your child to feel proud, excited, and a little bit magical – just that and you know you’ve absolutely nailed it. If you have a costume idea we missed, drop it in the comments and help another parent out!
Have your say!