6th March 2019

World Book Day Costume Ideas for Teachers

What is World Book Day?

World Book Day is on Thursday 7th March 2019. Its goal is to get schoolchildren across the world to celebrate reading by dressing up as some of their favourite book characters. The best part is that it isn’t only pupils that get to enjoy World Book Day – you can join in the fun too.

Pupils love teachers who make learning fun and dressing up in an exciting outfit for World Book Day is sure to delight your students. With so many brilliant books out there, how to choose your outfit can sometimes be a struggle. Our World Book Day costume ideas for teachers are sure to spark your imagination.

World Book Day costumes: quick and easy

Anything resembling school uniform really comes in handy for World Book Day. Costume ideas can incorporate blazers, shirts and ties, which most of us have in our wardrobes.

Arm yourself with a hockey stick borrowed from the PE department and be one of the girls at St Trinian’s or Enid Blyton’s celebrated Malory Towers.

The combination of a blue dress over a white shirt forms the basis of some of literature’s most iconic characters. Just add red shoes, a basket and a stuffed toy dog for a Dorothy costume, or a red bow in the hair to transform yourself into the heroine of Roald Dahl’s Matilda.

Roald Dahl is a rich source of costume ideas. Put on a simple white shirt and trousers with enormous stick-on ears to be the BFG or ragged clothes and a false beard to be Mr Twit. Children will enjoy the sight of the false beard decorated with the many disgusting things that Mr Twit eats in the story.

World Book Day costume ideas: animals

Do you have an animal onesie or dressing gown? These make excellent quick and easy costumes. With a little customisation you could be Winnie the Pooh, the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland or even the Gruffalo! Use face paint to take your costume to a whole new level and don’t forget the all-important accessories.

You can also substitute the onesie for a heavy faux-fur coat, if you have one. Add ears and a tail to be the Big Bad Wolf. Paddington’s iconic costume from Michael Bond’s beloved children’s series is also easy – the fur coat, a large sou’wester or bush hat and a tag that reads ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ For bonus points, bring along a jar of marmalade.

If animals aren’t quite your thing, accessorise with pointy shoes, tights and red lipstick for a wicked Cruella de Vil outfit. If you have a Dalmatian stuffed toy, bring it along.

World Book Day costumes: dark and spooky

Halloween costumes are also useful – most of us will have a costume tucked away that can easily be repurposed into some of the most iconic characters from children’s literature. A long black cape over a white shirt and black trousers accessorised with painted on fangs can instantly transform you into Dracula.

If you have a witch or wizard outfit you could be Mildred Hubble from The Worst Witch or of course one of the characters from the Harry Potter series. Stick to the side of good and dress up as Harry, Ron or Hermione, or dress up as Draco Malfoy, the evil Voldemort or Bellatrix Lestrange.

Remember, have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously. Not only will dressing up help to encourage students to love and enjoy books, it will also build positive relationships with your pupils. Hopefully, World Book Day will become your favourite time of the year as well as theirs.

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Speak to Education Support

If you find you’re struggling during the holidays, our partners at the Education Support Partnership are on hand throughout the holidays to assist. From short-term financial aid to counselling, advice, or just a friendly chat, the Education Support Partnership was created to help teachers when they need it. (Just call them at 08000 562 561.)

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You can find out more on the Education Support Partnership’s website. If you’d like more information on how we support our teachers throughout their career, check out the Employee Assistance Programme and all our other benefits.