Book Week is almost here! Every year, children get excited about choosing a costume for the Book Week Parade… whilst most parents cringe at the mental load of yet another task to put on the ‘to do’ list. Help is here! We want to make your life easier with these simple, low-effort ideas that will have your kid looking the part as they march their way through that Book Week Parade for 2023.
As Book Week approaches (19 – 25 August 2023), the quest for the perfect Book Week Costume begins. Here’s a selection of quick and easy costume ideas that are sure to captivate and impress. Dive in and discover the world of possibilities that literature offers!
- Classic Wizard
- Magical Mermaid
- Mysterious Detective
- Fart or Burp
- Whimsical Witch
- Jungle Explorer
- Magical Fairy
- Animal Kingdom
- Captain Underpants
- I’m a Barbie Girl
The Classic Wizard
Wizard outfit from Party Savers
Step into the world of magic and mystery by dressing up as a wizard! All you need is a flowing robe, a hat, and a wand that holds the power to cast some incredible spells.
Inspiration: When we think of iconic wizards, characters like Dumbledore from J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series and Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” immediately come to mind.
Where to Buy: Find the perfect wizard outfit from Party Savers for $18.50.
The Magical Mermaid
Mermaid outfit from Kmart
Dive into the deep blue sea by transforming into an enchanting mermaid. With a shimmering tail that glistens and delicate seashell accessories, this costume is lots of fun to put together.
Inspiration: Characters like Ariel from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and the playful mermaids from J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan”.
Where to Buy: Find the ideal mermaid ensemble from Kmart for $13.
The Mysterious Detective
Detective Outfit from Costume Box
Embrace the thrill of unsolved mysteries by stepping into the shoes of a mysterious detective. With a classic trench coat, a fedora and a magnifying glass, kids will have plenty of fun in this costume.
Inspiration: Characters like the astute Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the tenacious Nancy Drew.
Where to Buy: Secure your detective gear from Costume Box for $36.99
The Whimsical Witch
Room on a Broom Outfit from Kmart
Unleash the magic by transforming into a whimsical witch. Adorned in a dark, flowing dress, a pointy hat, and a broomstick this costume can be tied into a number of favourite literary characters.
Inspiration: Characters like the cunning witches from Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”, “Room on a Broom” and the iconic witches of L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz” – both the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch – and, of course, the famous Hermione from “Harry Potter”.
Where to Buy: Find your perfect witch attire here.
The Magical Fairy
Tinkerbell Outfit from Light in the Box
Step into a realm of enchantment as a magical fairy. Kids will love dressing up with delicate fairy wings that shimmer, a wand creates magic, and a sparkly dress that flies as you spin. It’s the perfect outfit for a little one with so many different books out there to inspire it.
Inspiration: Characters like the spirited Tinker Bell from J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and the diverse array of fairies from the “Rainbow Magic” series by Daisy Meadows.
Where to Buy: Find your perfect fairy ensemble from Light In The Box for $51.99.
The Jungle Explorer
Explorer Outfit from Smiffys Australia
Embark on a thrilling adventure through the dense jungles and uncharted territories as a fearless jungle explorer. Equipped with pants that are perfect for the rugged outdoors, a hat that shields you from the tropical sun, and binoculars to spot distant wonders, this costume will send you on an adventure.
Inspiration: Bear Grylls has an entire adventure set for kids that is the perfect inspiration for this outfit.
Where to Buy: Gear up for your jungle adventure from Smiffys for $50.95
Fart or Burp
Grab a copy of “Fart and Burp are Superstinkers”
You read that right. Why not put the kids in charge of the costumes this year nad let them have a bit of fun with it. All you need is to dress them up in all black and let them do the rest. Give them a big piece of cardboard and let them colour their own ‘fart’ or ‘burp’ and cut it out to stick on. It’s a great way to have a bit of a giggle!
Inspiration: If you haven’t read this book, then jump to it, because “Fart and Burp are Superstinkers” by Zo Foster Blake and Adam Nickel is great fun. See the book here.
Where to buy: Grab some cardboard from Kmart and let the kids create their own!
Animal Kingdom
Lion ears and tail from Spotlight
Whether your little one wants to roar like a lion, stand tall like a giraffe or jump around like a crazy monkey, an animal outfit is a nice and easy way for them to have some fun this Book Week, and the great part, there are so many different books with animals in them!
Inspiration: So many to choose from, including “Dear Zoo”, “Giraffes Can’t Dance”, “The Lion King”.
Where to Buy: You can simply shop a head piece and tail, like this set here.
Captain Underpants
Captain Underpants outfit from Costume Box
A popular book with the boys, for those brave enough it’s time to go to school in undies! Of course, it helps to have some clothes on underneath. All you need are some skin-coloured clothes with a bright pair of underpants to go over the top for an instantly-recognisable outfit idea.
Inspiration: Shop the ultimate Captain Underpants outfit from Costume Box for $49.99.
I’m a Barbie Girl
Barbie Outfit from Big W
Let’s face it, Barbie is all the rage at the moment! And it’s one of the easiest people to dress up as for Book Week, after all, “You Can Be Anything!”. Your child can dress up as astronaut Barbie, doctor Barbie, horse-riding Barbie – your imagination is the limit.
Where to Buy: There are so many Barbie clothes around at the moment! Or you can grab this Barbie dress from Big W for $35.
