Hey there, literary aficionados and those with a flair for the whimsical! Are you a teacher looking to foster a love for reading among your students? Or perhaps, you’re the fun guru aiming to bring a dash of color to the otherwise monochrome routine of school? Well, what better way to do this than by dressing up as iconic book characters? Not only does this make learning fun, but it’s also a creative way to celebrate literacy. And don’t worry, we’re not talking about elaborate, break-the-bank kind of costumes. We’re keeping it simple, savvy, and oh-so-smart with easy book character costumes for teachers!
Now, let’s take a stroll down the fantastical lane of literature as we explore 20 super easy, DIY book character costumes. And the best part? You can whip up these costumes with common items from your closet. Say goodbye to the theatrical and hello to practical!
Dressing up is one way to make a school day different. Here is another. We made a free play-along video that teaches all 36 multiplication facts, hardest first, in three and a half minutes. The song calls every move, so nobody has to choreograph anything or know a single dance step. Watch the Multiplication Hustle play-along.
1. Matilda Costume
Matilda (Matilda by Roald Dahl):
Got a blue dress and a red ribbon on hand? Then you’re all set to emulate the clever bookworm Matilda from Roald Dahl’s classic Matilda. Complete the look by carrying around a stack of books. After all, you never know when telekinetic superpowers might suddenly awaken during algebra class!
2. The Cat in the Hat Costume
The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss):
A black suit with a giant red bow tie, along with a makeshift striped hat are all you need to mimic the mischievous yet lovable Cat in the Hat from Dr. Seuss’ iconic book The Cat in the Hat. Just try not to cause too much mayhem during recess!
3. Harry Potter Costume
Harry Potter (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling):
Every muggle teacher needs a Harry Potter costume in their closet! Simply throw on a black robe, round specs, and draw that legendary lightning bolt scar on your forehead. Then grab a DIY magic wand and get ready to cast some educational spells on your students! Feel free to dive into this iconic book series along the way.
4. Waldo Costume
Waldo (Where’s Waldo by Martin Handford):
With a red and white striped shirt, blue jeans, glasses, and a beanie, you can now make the hide-and-seek game in the schoolyard a tad more literary!
5. Miss Frizzle Costume
Miss Frizzle (The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen):
Get your quirky on with a colorful dress, a funky hat or headband, and carry a small toy bus. The classroom is your magic school bus, and every subject is an adventure waiting to unfold!
A free printable for your classroom
Dressing up for book day? Make math just as memorable.
We created the Multiplication Hustle mountain poster for teachers who want multiplication to stick. It shows all 36 facts, hardest first, so students always know where they are on the climb. Enter your email and the download link appears right away.
6. Mary Poppins Costume
Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers):
Have a white blouse and a blue or black skirt? Pair them up, grab an umbrella, and you’re practically perfect in every way! Don’t forget to accessorize with a hat with a daisy – it’s all about the details, darling!
7. Sherlock Holmes Costume
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle):
Don that trench coat, craft a detective hat from cardboard, and with a magnifying glass in hand, turn your classroom into a scene of intellectual inquiry! Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Sherlock is on the case!
8. Willy Wonka Costume
Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl):
A colorful jacket, a DIY top hat, and a homemade Golden Ticket, and voila! You’re the whimsical Willy Wonka, ready to turn the classroom into a land of pure imagination!
9. Winnie the Pooh Costume
Winnie the Pooh (Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne):
A red t-shirt, DIY bear ear headband made from brown craft foam, and a honey pot are all you need to transform into Winnie the Pooh. Just watch out for Heffalumps and Woozles during snack time! Get creative with your makeshift honey pot – try using a small jar labeled “Hunny” or even an empty honey bear bottle.
10. Alice Costume
Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll):
Don a blue dress, white apron, and a black headband, and you’re ready to take your students down the rabbit hole of imagination. Oh, the places you’ll go when every day is a wonderland!
11. Peter Pan Costume
Peter Pan (Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie):
With a green tunic or a large green T-shirt, a belt, and a feathered cap, you’re set to fly into the adventurous skies of Neverland. Teaching: the adventure where you never have to grow up!
12. Little Red Riding Hood Costume
Little Red Riding Hood (The Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault):
A white blouse, a skirt, and a red hooded cloak will transform you into Little Red Riding Hood. Just steer clear of any wolves lurking in the staff room!
13. Scarecrow Costume
Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum):
Grab an old flannel shirt, a pair of loose pants, and a floppy hat. Stuff some straw or yellow paper shreds in the cuffs of your sleeves and pants for that freshly-stuffed look. A little face paint to draw on some stitches, and you’re the charming Scarecrow in search of some wisdom! Just like the Scarecrow, every teacher and student in your classroom is on a quest for knowledge in the enchanting land of education.
14. Frodo Baggins Costume
Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien):
Slip on a white shirt, a vest, and carry a ring on a necklace. Your classroom is Middle-Earth, and every lesson is a step towards Mount Doom (aka the final exam)!
15. Pippi Longstocking Costume
Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren):
A colorful dress, striped socks, and quirky braided hair will bring the spirited Pippi to life. With Pippi’s zest, every school day is a new adventure waiting to happen!
16. Amelia Bedelia Costume
Amelia Bedelia (Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish):
Put on a simple dress, an apron, and a matching bonnet or headscarf. Carry a small tray with pretend baked goods or a feather duster to embody the whimsical and literal-minded Amelia Bedelia. Her humorous misinterpretations can make for fun discussions and laughter in the classroom, promoting a light-hearted and enjoyable learning atmosphere.
17. Nancy Drew Costume
Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene):
Get your inner detective on by dressing up as the clever sleuth Nancy Drew. All you need is a preppy outfit with a cardigan or blazer, a knee-length skirt, some Mary Jane shoes, and a magnifying glass for finding clues. Use it to help your students unravel the mysteries of literary analysis!
18. Madeline Costume
Madeline (Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans):
A blue dress, a white collar, and a yellow hat will whisk you away to a Parisian boarding school. Just remember to line up in two straight lines during the fire drill!
19. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Costume
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle):
Dress in green, attach cardboard cutouts of various foods, and you’re the adorable hungry caterpillar. Just don’t munch through the school supplies!
20. Anne of Green Gables Costume
Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery):
A green dress, a white apron, and your fiery spirit are all you need to bring the imaginative Anne Shirley to life. Embrace the day with the wonder and curiosity of Anne, and turn every lesson into a story worth telling!
Conclusion: There you have it, 20 easy book character costumes for teachers to spark the love of reading and make learning an engaging, fun-filled experience. So why wait? Dive into your closet, let your creative juices flow, and bring these beloved book characters to life. The classroom is your stage, and every day is a new scene in the exciting narrative of education. So, which character will you be transforming into? Share your picks and your own costume ideas in the comments below. Oh, and don’t forget to share this post with your fellow book-loving educators. Happy costuming!
More for teachers
Looking for even more costume ideas? See 20 Eye-Catching Costumes You’ll Want for October.
Working on multiplication facts this year? Start with What Is the Best App for Learning Multiplication Tables, then grab the free mountain poster above.
Books from The Multiplication Hustle
If your students need multiplication practice that actually sticks, both of our books are on Amazon:
- The Multiplication Hustle Practice Book: leveled practice pages that work through the facts hardest first.
- The Multiplication Hustle Coloring Book: color by number, so practice feels like art class.
