It’s one of the most exciting days of the school year, often packed with fun activities in and out of the classroom – but when is World Book Day 2022?
This year marks 25 years of the event and is the first in two years that children are fully back in the classrooms across the nation. And the World Books Day organisers are ready, with plenty of fun World Book Day resources to download and enjoy. They’ve also made sure the traditional World Book Day money-off vouchers are available in 2022 too. Just be sure to ask their school about getting your hands on the voucher or check the World Book Day website for further details.
When is World Book Day 2022?
Every year, World Book Day falls on the same day. It’s always the first Thursday in March, so this year World Book Day is on Thursday 3rd March 2022. Though some schools and nurseries are celebrating Friday 4th March to finish the week on a fun high.
Coming up with a literary-themed costume for the kids can be a lot of fun, but it can also be quite stressful – especially if it’s left to the last minute! We have some inspiring ideas for homemade World Books day costumes, plus a round-up of the best options available to buy online below. From your favourite classic and modern books to your favourite Roald Dahl and David Walliams characters, we’ve got all levels of commitment covered.
World Book Day costumes 2022
Credit: Amazon
1. Cat in the Hat Costume
Sizes available: 3 to 12 years
Everyone at school will recognise this Cat in the Hat costume, available to buy from Amazon. One of Dr Seuss’ famous characters, this set includes everything you’ll need to become the Cat. It comes with a black jumpsuit with white fur stomach panel, a 3D red fabric neck bow, large top hat and a detachable cat tail.
Credit: Amazon
2. Disney Alice In Wonderland Blue Costume
Sizes available: 8 – 10 years
This adorable dress and stripy tights combo is bold, bright and a great choice for those who love Lewis Carroll’s famous stories. Available at Amazon, it’s also a good one to go for if you need a last-minute purchase.
Credit: Amazon
3. Queen of Hearts – Alice in Wonderland costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12 years
Also available from Amazon, this alternative Alice and Wonderland costume is fit for a Queen. The costume set includes the red heart dress, an iconic look for the Queen of Hearts, and a 3D black felt crown to complete the look.
Credit: Sainsbury’s
4. Peter Pan costume
Sizes available: 3 – 6 years
James Matthew Barrie’s Peter Pan books have been made into films, television shows and stage plays for generations now. Encourage your little one to stay young and adventurous forever in this adorable costume available to buy online or in-store at Sainsbury’s.
Credit: Amazon
5. Captain Hook costume
Sizes available: Medium – Extra Large
If your child prefers the pirate life then considering dressing them up as Captain Hook in this great World Book Day costume for 2022. Included in the costume is the jacket, jabot, trousers, belt and hat.
Credit: Tu at Sainsbury’s
6. Little Red Riding Hood costume
Sizes available: 2 – 10 years
Let your child’s imagination run wild in this Little Red Riding Hood outfit, complete with the iconic red cape. To level up this outfit, pair with a soft wolf toy.
Credit: Argos
7. Disney’s Mary Poppins costume
Sizes available: 3 – 8 years
This wonderful design will magically turn your little one into everyone’s most treasured nanny. The navy dress comes complete with her iconic carry-all handbag and Mary’s daisy hat.
Credit: Amazon
8. The Tiger Who Came To Tea costume
Sizes available: S – XL years
With this striped onesie featuring a cheeky tail, transforming into the The Tiger Who Came To Tea has never been easier. The hungry lead animal from Judith Kerr’s book has been a firm favourite among youngsters since 1968.
Credit: Amazon
9. Paddington Bear Costume
Sizes available: 3 – 6 years
Dress up as everyone’s favourite bear with this World Book Day 2022 costume. Pick up a jar of marmalade whilst you’re also in the supermarket too to really complete the Paddington bear look.
Credit: Amazon
10. Where’s Wally costume
Sizes available: 12+ years
One for slightly older kids (or those who are a little taller for their age!), this Where’s Wally costume is the perfect outfit for your little one on World Book Day. It includes the red and white striped t-shirt, hat and round glasses – simply add jeans to finish the look.
Credit: B&M
11. Goldilocks (and the Three Bears) costume
Sizes available: 7 – 9 years
If you’re swinging by B&M this week, check out this World Book Day costume for 2022. It’s perfect for the little golden locks in your life and the little bear handbag is the ideal accessory.
Credit: Tu at Sainsbury’s
12. Elmer The Elephant Multicoloured costume
Sizes available: 3 – 6 years
If your child wants a costume unlike anyone else’s, they can’t go wrong with this Elmer The Elephant costume. It features an all-in-one multicoloured suit in squares with a matching Elmer Elephant hat. An easy go-to to pick up the next time you’re in the aisles or doing a shop online.
Credit: Amazon
13. Three Little Pigs costume
Sizes available: S – XL
Who isn’t familiar with the tale of the Three Little Pigs and the Wolf? Have your child dress-up as one of the pigs and get two of their friends to join in the fun too.
Credit: B&M
14. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz costume
Sizes available: 7-9 years
Have your child take inspiration from the Yellow Brick Road with one of the best World Book Day costumes for 2022. This gorgeous Dorothy dress will look great on any young’en – just don’t forget to add some ruby red slippers!
Credit: Amazon
15. Gingerbread Man costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12 years
The Gingerbread Man is a classic kids’ tale that children can bring to life for World Book Day 2022. This costume, available to order from Amazon for all those between the ages of 3 and 12 years, is an all-in-one suit and doesn’t require any additional accessories to complete the look. But if you wanted to take it one step further, you could add a fluffy fox toy – to really capture the tale.
Credit: Etsy
16. Very Hungry Caterpillar Costume
Sizes available: Small – Extra Large
Perfect for those of all ages who love the classic Hungry Caterpillar stories! Just pair this cute mask and cape combo with a green outfit underneath and some face paint for the complete look.
Credit: Asda
17. Peppa Pig costume
Sizes available: 2 – 3 years
There’s no mistaking who your child has come dressed to World Book Day 2022 as in this Peppa Pig costume from Asda. With cute Peppa Pig character graphics on the front, a headband, ear attachments and glitter-effect crown right on top, it’s the ideal costume for fans of the Peppa Pig books – and television show.
Credit: Amazon
18. Harry Potter costume
Sizes available: 3-12 years
When it comes to World Book Day 2022, much like any other year, we don’t doubt that Harry Potter will be a popular option. But it’s a winning costume for a reason! Make World Book Day much more magical with this cute Harry Potter costume. Don’t forget to add the famous lightning bolt scar to their foreheads though.
Credit: Tu at Sainsbury’s
19. Hermione Granger costume
Sizes available: 5 – 12 years
Have your kids get Hogwarts ready with this Hermione Granger costume from Sainsbury’s. Complete with the wig and wand, we think this World Book Day costume for 2022 is great value too.
Credit: Argos
20. Mermaid costume
Sizes available: 3 – 8 years
This is a costume where your child could be multiple characters – and you’re bound to use it again and again. Whether they’re a fan of Julian Is A Mermaid or the classic Disney Little Mermaid tale, they’ll love the bright and bold, rainbow sequins on this fish tale.
Credit: Tu at Sainsbury’s
21. Horrid Henry costume
Sizes available: 5 – 12 years
Eureka! This Horrid Henry costume is perfect for the young prankster in your life.
Credit: Matalan
22. Iron Man costume
Sizes available: 4 – 9 years
There’s no denying it, Marvel Comics are real page-turners and your little superhero will look undeniably cool as they protect the world while dressed up as Marvel Comics icon Iron Man.
Roald Dahl book character costumes
Credit: Amazon
23. Matilda costume
Sizes available: 6 – 12+ years
If you child loves to read, why not send them to school as the original bookworm herself? Honour Roald Dahl’s beloved female heroine this World Book Day with a simple yet recognisable Matilda costume. Magical powers are (unfortunately) not included.
Credit: Amazon
24. The Big Friendly Giant (BFG) costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12 years
Turn your little one into this huge character from a Roald Dahl classic one of these World Book Day costumes from Amazon. It’s an easy to costume to pick up from Amazon and we love the giant ears with the easy-to-wear hairband for kids – genius!
Credit: Tu at Sainsbury’s
25. Fantastic Mr. Fox costume
Sizes available: 3 – 10 years
This all-in-one Fantastic Mr Fox costume is a dead ringer for the character illustrated by Quentin Blake in the popular children’s book. Perfect for mischievous characters of your own.
Credit: Amazon
26. Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12 years
Your child will love carrying around the coveted golden ticket this World Book Day in this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costume. The set comes with the ticket, trousers and yellow shirt but sadly no chocolate.
Credit: Amazon
27. Oompa Loompa – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costume
Sizes available: S – XL
What child doesn’t love the oompa loompas employed by a certain Willy Wonka at his Chocolate Factory? This outfit will make for a great photo opportunity on World Book Day too. Just add some orange face paint and a green wig to complete the look.
David Walliams’ book character costumes
Credit: Amazon
28. Awful Auntie costume
Sizes available: 4-12+ years
Children will have so much fun coming up with cunning plots to steal Saxby Hall from its rightful heir Stella when dressed up as Aunt Alberta, a baddie dreamed up by David Williams for his Awful Auntie paperback.
Credit: Amazon
29. Gangsta Granny costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12+ years
Taken from the children’s fiction book Gangsta Granny by British comedian David Walliams, this cute fancy dress costume puts your little one at the centre of the story about the grandma who just happens to be a former international jewel thief…
Credit: Amazon
30. Mr Stink costume
Sizes available: 4 – 12+ years
Another favourite character from British comedian David Walliams and his brilliant children’s books. This costume is perfect for fans of Mr Stink – the sweet but somewhat smelly friend of schoolgirl Chloe.
Related features:
If you’re still struggling for ideas then why not have a peek at the list of 50 books every child should read before they’re 16? It was drawn up by Sainsbury’s in honour of World Book Day itself and includes all the classics. If you spot a book your child loves then that is often a great way to come up with costume ideas.
Best books for babies
Best books for kids
Best books for teens
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