World Book Day fancy dress

jess1974

Oh god, i used to dread this every year, thankfully i have 2 kids in a primary school, which does'nt do world book day dressing up, good luck anyway....

muz

My son went as Elmer one year. Easy to make, and very effective! I made a cardboard mask, and got an old white t-shirt, then just coloured them in with felt tips. It did take a while to colour in, but you could use fabric paint if you have any, or squares of coloured fabric if you can sew??

missimaxo

I have no idea why they are doing it now! We have just moved to the area and I thought they had done something fairly recently at their old school/ nursery but just didn't know when. They got letters in their book bags last night about it - I think they are also doing a book fair so whether it is linked to that?

Thanks for the ideas - little red riding hood is a definate contender (and cheap to make!).

biscotte

one year I cut out card circles, coloured them different shades of green, stapled them together in a line and hung them over my son's shoulders on a straps (imagine a kind of sandwich board arrangement). He has a red cicles mask for the face and he was the hungry caterpillar

bertiebots

If your little boy has some old clothes you could cut up ,he could go as Oliver twist...rag the edge of an old pair of trousers and an old jumper /shirt etc dirty his face with some face paint (lots around at the mo as its nearly halloween) give him a bowl and tell him to ask everyone for more..lol! As for your little girl the possibiltys are endless...just look through a story book for some insparation. If you are really struggling then there always seems to be lots of childrens costumes in charity shops and you could adapt to whatever you want .

bestpud

How about Funny Bones - you may be able to get a reasonable skeleton costume (given Halloween is approaching)? Or failing that a plain black tee and leggings (Asda or Tesco value) and masking tape to make the bones?

Witches/cats are always easy (especially this time of year) - Meg and Mog? Jess the cat from postman pat?

I'll try and think of some more.

ETA: Little Princess - big white tee shirt (value again) and make a crown from gold/yellow card?

Alikay

DS2 once went as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". I just made a straight ankle length tube out of lime green sheeting (v cheap from Dunelm)Sewed across the shoulders and loosely tied elastic round him at various points to divide him into segments. He wore black socks and plimsolls, antennae made from pipecleaners on a hairband and rosy lipsticks cheeks ...he looked so sweet!

melwright

How about a pirate from Trasure Island? Pair of shorts or old trousers cut up, t-shirt and then buy eye patch etc (Paund saver were doing a pirate kit with waistcoat, bandana, belt thing & eye patch for £1).

frivolous_fay

This one was a genious idea rustled up at short notice by my parents because I had been off sick and didn't know book day required costumes!

Toad from Wind in the Willows, in his 'washerwoman' phase:
Take one cardboard box, pull it apart and rebuild in the shape of a large toad head!
Cover with an old green jumper
Pin on half ping pong balls with eyes drawn on
Dress child in frilly skirt and blouse and put head on top

I'm not too proud to admit this one won me best costume prize at my school

Millie's_Mum

We need a book day costume for next friday too, 5 year old girl if anyone has any clever ideas, I am loving the little princess idea though cos it would be easy and she does actually like the books