March is a month for the celebration of reading! Teachers and students everywhere enjoy celebrating this novelty in their schools with a variety of fun and engaging activities. One fantastic idea to kick off the fun is to host a book character costume parade or book character costume day. For these events, you and your kiddos can simply dress up as your favorite book characters. If you’re in need of a touch of inspiration, this list of 55 magnificent ideas will help you choose the perfect costume. So, without further adieu, jump right in!
1. The Day the Crayons Quit
Kicking this list off on a creative note- why not gather a group of 7 teachers and have each one dress up as a different colored crayon! This idea is sure to resonate with lovers of the book, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. Find these cute crayon shirts here.
Learn More: Lisa Taylor Teaching the Stars
2. Purplicious and Pinkalicious
Celebrate Purplicious and Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann with this adorable partner-based costume. Find cute purple or pink tutus, wigs, and crowns, and have a ball getting dressed up! We bet you students will love seeing you in such a charming costume.
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3. The Grouchy Ladybug
Help your students honor the book titled, The Grouchy Ladybug with this classic costume that’s both easy and affordable to make! All you’ll need is a red tulle skirt and black felt to create the spots.
Learn More: Truth for Teachers
4. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Have a set of brown scrubs lying around? Use them as your base and create this simple and clever costume! Simply use hot glue to attach foam letters to the scrubs and then adhere fake fern leaves to a headband or hat. If you’d prefer to purchase a similar costume instead of crafting one yourself, you can do so here.
Learn More: Kindergarten Kiosk
5. The Kissing Hand
For this easy and adorable costume, begin by finding a pair of fluffy ears. Next, you buy a black mask or paint a mask around your eyes with face paint. Tie the costume together with a black outfit before then attaching a striped tail to the back of your shirt. Don’t forget to add the kissing hand to bring the look to life!
Learn More: Kindergarten Kiosk
6. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Locate a pair of mouse ears and a set of face paints. You can then use the face paint to make your face resemble that of a mouse before getting dressed up in a pair of faded overalls. Don’t forget to add the finishing touch – a large cookie, which can be made from cardboard and markers.
Learn More: Kindergarten Kiosk
7. Thelma the Unicorn
Bring this fun costume idea to life by pairing a pink tutu with pink clothing. Then, craft a horn using a headband and scrap cardboard! Alternatively, you can buy an inexpensive one here.
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8. Olivia
Olivia is a beloved book character so your kiddos are sure to adore this costume! Wear a red t-shirt, red and white striped leggings, and a red tutu to resemble the famed character. You’ll also need pig ears which you can make with a headband and construction paper. Looking to go the extra mile? Spray your hair red to really top the look off!
Learn More: Rainbow Sky Creations
9. Where’s Waldo
Here’s a fab idea if your kids are into puzzles and searching for Wally amongst a maze of items! Create this super easy costume with a red and white striped shirt, hat, black-rimmed glasses, and jeans. If you can’t find these items, you can also purchase a great Wally costume here.
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10. Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins really has stood the test of time when it comes to renowned book characters! Recreate her look with a black skirt, white shirt, red belt or sash, red bowtie, umbrella, bag, and cute hat. You can also purchase an adorable Mary Poppins costume here and accessories here.
Learn More: Truth for Teachers
11. A Bad Case of Stripes
Camila Cream is a favorite book character costume for teachers. Your kids are sure to have a good laugh at your stripey get-up! Create this costume with a tutu and brightly striped clothing and tights. These accessories will help you whip up the look in no time- leaving only your face to be painted.
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12. Amelia Bedelia
Fun always follows Amelia Bedelia. To create your very own Amelia Bedelia costume, all you’ll need is a black dress or skirt and sweater. Once you’ve got the basics gathered, place a white, long-sleeved shirt underneath the black dress or black sweater. To bring the look to life, top the outfit off with a hat with flowers and a white apron.
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13. Rainbow Fish
Looking to ramp things up a notch on your next book character day? This awesome Rainbow Fish costume is just the pick for you! With a super simple tutorial here, creating the look will be as simple as 1,2, 3 and you’ll be ready to shimmer the day away!
Learn More: Rainbow Sky Creations
14. White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland
The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland is a costume that you can never go wrong with! Best of all- it’s not difficult to recreate. All you need is a red blazer, a yellow shirt, a big bow, and bunny ears. Draw on some cute bunny whiskers and grab your big clock and you’ll be all set to rock costume day!
Learn More: Truth for Teachers
15. Pipi Longstocking
A Pipi Longstocking costume is super easy to create- especially if you have long hair! You should be able to find the appropriate clothes in your closet or, alternatively, pop down to your local thrift store. Need help pulling together the cute braids? Watch this easy-to-follow tutorial.
Learn More: Truth for Teachers
16. The Three Little Pigs and Big Bad Wolf
This is a fun and simplistic costume idea for lower-grade teachers. Recreate the costumes by wearing a pink t-shirt, pink tutu, pink leggings, and a pig’s nose and ears. Take things up a notch, by having a fourth teacher join in the fun by dressing as the wolf- adorning a black t-shirt, leggings, tutu, and wolf ears to really channel that big, bad energy.
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17. Strega Nona
Have a long-sleeved shirt and long skirt lying around? With the addition of a white apron and a short-sleeved shirt to place over your other clothing, you’ll be all set to bring Strega Nona to life! Lastly, use a scarf to cover your head and carry a cauldron with you throughout the day.
Learn More: Kindergarten Kiosk
18. Ted Shackleford from Curious George
To create a costume to resemble the man with the yellow hat, find a yellow button-down shirt, long boots, yellow pants, a yellow tie, and a yellow wide-brimmed hat. To complete Ted’s look, carry around a stuffed monkey to act as Curious George himself! You can also purchase your own costume here.
Learn More: Kindergarten Kiosk
19. The Paper Bag Princess
Princess Elizabeth, a character from The Paper Bag Princess, is an easy costume to string together. Simply use brown packing paper and packing tape to bring the look to life. Top things off by purchasing a cheap foam crown and spray paint it gold before using dark eyeshadow to replicate “soot” on your face.
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20. Dr. Seuss Inspired
These Dr. Seuss-inspired costumes couldn’t be simpler to create and they’re perfect for a grade-level group of teachers. All you need is colorful t-shirts, tutus, and leggings. Print “one fish”, “two fish”, “red fish”, “blue fish” on the respective shirts and top the outfit off with a mask in each of the complementary colors.
Learn More: Laughing Kids Learn
21. Happiness Bucket Fillers
Hot glue, felt stars, and cardstock hearts on black t-shirts and black leggings form the base of these cute bucket-filler costumes. Paint a smiley face on a large plastic bucket, cut out the bottom, and use rope to secure it around your neck. Finish the look off with a cute headband.
Learn More: Laughing Kids Learn
22. The Elf on the Shelf
Kids love The Elf on the Shelf- and with good reason! This is a super cute costume idea for a group of teachers, and it’s easy to make. Simply dress in all red clothing, create a white collar, wear white gloves, a Santa hat, and a white tutu.
Learn More: Laughing Kids Learn
23. The Giving Tree
This Giving Tree costume is the perfect choice if you’re looking to ring home an ever-important message on your next book character day! Wear green or white leggings paired with a green shirt and skirt or tutu. Be sure to adhere faux leaves to your outfit before topping off the look with a crown made of faux leaves.
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24. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a favorite book among students. So, why not come to school decked out in this adorable costume! You can easily bring the look to life with a green t-shirt, green tutu, and black leggings. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to hot glue images of food onto your tutu as well as create a headband that looks like the caterpillar’s eyes and antenna or, alternatively, you can purchase the antenna here.
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25. Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus
Most students are familiar with Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Why not repurpose a blue dress and black shoes to create this cute costume, or purchase your very own here.
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26. Fly Guy
What a cute and super easy costume to make! Wear black clothing and use a poster board, scissors, and a black marker to craft the extra cute details that make this costume unique. Lastly, make the antennae from pipe cleaners or purchase a headband set here.
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27. Dr. Seuss’ Sam I Am
This simple costume is just the thing if you’re on the hunt for a comfortable and cute option. You can easily make it by cutting the hem of a Sam I Am t-shirt and adding a classic Dr. Seuss hat. It doesn’t get much easier than this!
Learn More: Curious Firsties
28. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Create your very own costume in honor of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Like the idea from above, this adorable costume is super simple to make. Grab a Grinch t-shirt and a green tutu before then adding some green and black socks or green and black striped leggings to complete the look.
Learn More: Pinterest
29. Ten Apples Up on Top
This is a terrific DIY costume idea! You can wear anything you’d, but should adorn your head with a balancing frenzy! Craft a simple headband using hot glue and 10 carefully balanced apples. Ready to head out the door? Don’t forget the famed Dr. Seuss book to read to your kiddos!
Learn More: Pinterest
30. Pete the Cat
What a cute and comfortable costume idea! You’ll simply need an oversized yellow buttoned-up shirt, cardstock cutouts of buttons, and colorful pipe cleaners. Make sure you purchase a cat mask to really bring the look home and leave your kiddos without a doubt of who you are. You can even add a cat’s tail if you choose!
Learn More: Lisa Taylor Teaching the Stars
31. Humpty Dumpty
You’re sure to have your students falling over with laughter over this creative Humpty Dumpty costume! Simply cut a hole in an old pillow for your head, attach some legs with sneakers, and make a cardboard chimney! Add a bow front and center and you’ll look egg-cellent.
Learn More: Costume Works
32. Pig the Pug
For this costume idea, all you need to do is dress in neutrals and create a mask out of a pug face poster print! Affix your favorite Pig the Pug book like a necklace to add some paw-some flair.
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33. Clifford the Big Red Dog
Everyone has the same favorite big red dog, and dressing in all red will get you most of the way there in terms of bringing this costume to life! Add some floppy red ears by attaching fabric to a headband, and voila- you’re Clifford!
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34. Thing One and Thing Two
Grab your teacher bestie for this adorable Thing One and Thing Two Costume! Print out a label for your t-shirt or experiment with fabric paint. One thing’s for sure- you can’t forget the blue tulle for your hair! We bet the Cat in the Hat would be proud!
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35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
You’re turning violet…Teacher! Pay homage to Roald Dahl with this Violet Beauregarde-inspired makeup and costume. All you need is a blonde wig, blue face paint and a sweatsuit, and some bubble gum!
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36. Dogman
Dress up as everyone’s favorite crime-fighting dog by wearing a blue long-sleeve tee with a felt crown glued onto it. Make his iconic floppy ears by cutting some brown felt and top the look off by adding some freckles and a pooch’s nose using eyeliner or face paint. Pop a blue baseball cap on and you’ll be ready to head out the door!
Learn More: Teach Starter
37. Frog and Toad
Frog and Toad is a favorite for many teachers and their students! Dress in corduroy pants with a brown blazer and make the duo’s amphibian eyes out of some felt, hot glue, and headbands.
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38. Paddington
Run to the thrift store and look for a blue dress or jacket, a suitcase, and a red hat and boots. Top off your Paddington-inspired outfit by crafting a life-size tag that reads, “Please look after this bear”. How heartwarming!
Learn More: Pocket of Preschool
39. Miss Nelson Is Missing
Have your students ever complained about having you as a teacher? I’m sure they will be grateful for your sweetness once they’ve met your alter ego…Viola Swamp. This Miss Nelson outfit is sure to have everyone paying attention to you all day long!
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40. Hunger Games
Here’s an awesome costume idea if you teach older grades. This magical Effie Trinket costume can be recreated by gluing fake monarch butterflies all over an old dress! Accessorize with some gloves, tights, and a white wig and you’ll be ready for the Hunger Games.
Learn More: Costume Works
41. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Your students will recognize your Diary of a Wimpy Kid-inspired costume right away with the infamous cheesy touch! All you need is some yellow poster board covered with a few black circles to represent some moldy Swiss.
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42. I Spy
Feeling nostalgic and short on time to craft a costume for book character day? Why not turn yourself into your favorite I Spy book! All you’ll need is a white tee and various stickers scattered all over it. Make a list of items to find on a notecard, and the whole class will have a blast!
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43. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat
There once was a teacher who swallowed a bat! Become this beloved children’s book by cutting out a bat picture and affixing it to the front of your dress or apron. Add a headband and some old lady glasses to make this story come to life!
Learn More: Pocket of Preschool
44. Lilly’s Plastic Purse
Dress up as this fashionable little mouse with Lilly’s staples: red boots, a red cape, and a plastic purse, of course! Make some mouse ears out of fabric and a headband, and you can thrift the rest of the ensemble.
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45. Winnie the Pooh
Make a plan with some colleagues to personify the Hundred Acre Wood! Dress in your favorite character’s color and add some details to your outfit with felt and fabric glue. We bet your kiddos will be as delighted as Pooh Bear and his friends!
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46. Matilda
Another Roald Dahl classic, Matilda is full of iconic characters to dress up as! Whether you want to stomp around as the bully Trunchbull or magical Matilda herself, everyone will adore your costume!
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47. Arthur
Why not dress up as Buster with a layered blue sweater and fuzzy white ears whilst having a teacher bestie sport a gold sweater and brown ears to resemble Arthur. Talk about a dynamic duo!
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48. King Arthur
Add the royal element to this Arthur costume by sewing some fabric to be fit for a knight. Wear a sheath with a fake sword at your side so no one forgets Arthur’s right-hand man- Excalibur!
Learn More: The Nifty Nerd
49. Snow White
Represent this classic fairytale as a team by dressing in the iconic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs colors! Top the ensemble off with belts and hats made of felt!
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50. 101 Dalmatians
It will be helpful to have some teacher friends on board for this 101 Dalmatians-inspired look! Convince your principal to sport a black and white wig and dress up as Cruella whilst you and some of your colleagues wear spotted tees and tutus and act as the beloved pups!
Learn More: Pocket of Preschool
51. Vampire from Twilight
It’s easy to make a vampire costume with a cape and perhaps some faux fangs. Take it one step further by adding some shimmer to your face to really give off the Cullen vibes.
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52. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Who knew a piece of furniture could be so famous? Dressing up as the wardrobe from this excellent book series is a great last-minute costume that is easy, yet creative. Draw, paint, and cut out a wardrobe from a cardboard box and attach straps on each side!
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53. Five Nights at Freddy’s
FNAF is all the rage with middle schoolers these days, so you will be sure to get some high-fives with this costume! Create animatronic-inspired makeup using eyeliner for easy drawing and a sparkly tophat that can be made from cardstock and glue.
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54. I’m Not Just a Scribble
Bring this picture book to life by turning a t-shirt into a scribble using red yarn and glue. Find a partner to dress as the crayon and you’ll both make a beautiful piece of art!
Learn More: Pocket of Preschool
55. Dragons Love Tacos
Nothing beats being cozy and eating tacos all day! Find your favorite scaly onesie and use some blue eyeshadow and glitter to create dragon scales on your face. Walk around with a taco in hand, and you’ll be breathing fire…from the hot sauce, of course!
Learn More: Teach Starter
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