Whether you’re looking for Halloween costumes or ideas for Book Character Day at school, these fun and easy book character costumes for kids and teachers are sure to be a hit!
There’s never going to be dressing up that I love more than a book character costume.
I went down an Internet rabbit hole looking at book character costume ideas, and there was no way I could resist sharing them here.
Seriously, every one of these is so good.
20 Book Character Costumes for Kids and Adults
Where the Wild Things Are Costume
I am obsessed with this little Max costume and it gets bonus points for being warm and snuggly if your Halloween night is chilly. And as if this wasn’t good enough, this is actually just part of a whole family set of Where the Wild Things Are costumes.
Costume Details at Tell Love and Party // Where the Wild Things Are book
Curious George Costume
What’s better thanone children’s book character costume? TWO costumes. I love this Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat duo – it’s perfect for a pair of siblings and so instantly recognizable!
Costume details at Merrick’s Art // Curious George book
Miss Nelson is Missing costume
Grab a friend or a sister to be the Viola Swamp to your Miss Nelson. I think this is one of the best teacher costumes for book character day, especially if you have co-teachers or a teacher’s aide in the classroom.
Costume details here // Miss Nelson is Missing book
The Princess Bride Costume
Frankly, we’re all probably more familiar with the Princess Bride movie than the book, but rest assured there is a book and there aren’t many better couples costumes than Wesley and Buttercup. Add a tiny ROUS and you’re good to go with a baby in tow!
Costume details at Friday We’re in Love // The Princess Bride book
The Wizard of Oz costumes
If you want to do book character costumes for a whole family, The Wizard of Oz is a perfect choice since there are so many iconic characters, from Dorothy and the Tinman to the Wicked Witch of the West and the Cowardly Lion.
Costume details at Live Free Creative Co // The Wizard of Oz book
Madeline Costume
I love Madeline and book character costumes for girls don’t come much better than the little French schoolgirl. It’s a simple costume to put together and so recognizable. Now I’m wondering if I could convince my four little girls to all dress up in Madeline costumes and I can be one of the nuns.
Costume details at Alexa Marie Zurcher// Madeline book
Olivia Costume
I mean, how good is this? As you know, I don’t love dressing up, but I would ABSOLUTELY dress up in an Olivia costume. I personally think a pig nose would be the perfect finishing touch to this book character costume.
Costume details at I Want to be a Super Teacher // Olivia book
Peter Pan Costumes
This is another set of book character costumes that’s perfect for a big group – from Captain Hook to Peter himself, plus Wendy, the Lost Boys, Tigerlily, the Crocodile and Nana, there is no end to the fun you can have with these costumes.
Costume details at Merrick’s Art // Peter Pan book
Where’s Waldo? costume
When it comes to easy book character costumes, Waldo is a clear winner. Super recognizable and not much more than a red striped shirt required.
Costume details at Repeat Crafter Me // Where’s Waldo? book
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Costume
Mo Willems never disappoints when it comes to books and it turns out the Pigeon makes for a great book character costume too! I bet the Pigeon would LOVE a piece of Halloween candy.
Costume details at Simply Radiant // Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus book
The Paper Bag Princess Costume
Forget the Disney princess costumes and go old school with the Paper Bag Princess. A sibling could easily be the dragon too!
Costume Details at Mama Papa Bubba // The Paper Bag Princess book
James and the Giant Peach Costume
When it comes to Roald Dahl book character costumes, I think Willy Wonka gets the majority of the love, but this James and the Giant Peach costume is super fun and more off-beat.
Costume details at Small Fry // James and the Giant Peach book
Strega Nona Costume
Could this little girl BE any cuter? This no-sew costume makes for a super easy book character costume and I can’t help imagining a baby costume involving the pasta pot (like those lobster pot baby costumes).
Costume details at Seeker of Happiness // Strega Nona book
Matilda Costume
If you want easy book character costumes for teachers, Ms. Trunchbull from Matilda is hard to beat. Just be sure to bring chocolate cake for all your students.
Costume details from What Peggy Said // Matilda book
The Day the Crayons Quit Costumes
Oh, this costume set is too good! And it’s a lot of visual impact for such easy to make book character costumes!
Costume details at The House that Lars Built // The Day the Crayons Quit book
Moaning Myrtle Costume
Most Harry Potter lovers go forHermione or Harry costumes. Maybe Hagrid or Dumbledore if you want to think outside the box a little. But this Moaning Myrtle costume really takes it to the next level.
Costume details at Dearth Duo // Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie costume
If you have overalls and can make a set of mouse ear headbands, you’re golden for this simple costume! And the baby sibling as a cookie? Brilliant!
Costume details at Seeker of Happiness // If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book
Chrysanthemum Costume
I love a book character costume that is from a less-popular book and this one definitely falls into that category. And yet it’s so clever and fun!
Costume details at The House that Lars Built // Chrysanthemum book
The Giving Tree Costume
Now if only a member of the family was dressed up like a stump. . . .
Costume details at The House that Lars Built // The Giving Tree book
The Hungry Little Caterpillar costume
How cute is this little duo? I love how beautifully Eric Carle’s recognizable artwork translates to a costume (or two, in this case).
Costume details at My Crunchy Life // The Hungry Little Caterpillar book
