World Book Day 2025: Fun & Easy Craft and Costume Ideas

Simple DIY Costume Ideas for World Book Day

Alice in Wonderland Playing Card Costume

Inspired by: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

• Large white card sheets
• Sheets of red card
• Black marker 
• Gold card for a crown
• Scissors, glue, string

Instructions:

1. Cut out a large rectangle from the white card to create a playing card tunic.
2. Decorate with red hearts and numbers.
3. Cut out a simple gold crown from the gold card.
4. Attach string or ribbon to the tunic to wear over the shoulders.

Mr. Men & Little Miss Characters

Inspired by: Mr. Men & Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves

• Large circular card sheet (character colour)
• Black marker
• String or ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut out a large circle from the coloured card.
2. Draw or glue on facial features.
3. Use string or ribbon to attach as a sandwich board costume.

Craft Activities Inspired by Famous Children's Books

Dear Zoo Animal Origami

Inspired by: Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

Why:

✔️ Fine motor skills – Folding paper strengthens small muscles in hands and fingers.
✔️ Creativity – Kids can customize their animals with colours, patterns, and textures.
✔️ Storytelling skills – Bringing book characters to life encourages imaginative play.

Instructions to make the Puppy - the perfect pet!

• Step 1: Start with a Square Piece of Paper

  • Cut a square of brightly coloured paper from our assorted paper packs
  • Place your square diagonally like a diamond.
  • If your paper is patterned or coloured on one side, make sure the colour is facing down.

  Step 2: Fold the Paper in Half to Make a Triangle

  • Bring the top corner down to the bottom corner and crease it well.
  • You now have a large triangle shape.

  Step 3: Fold Down the Ears

  • Take the left corner and fold it down at an angle to form one ear.
  • Do the same with the right corner, making sure the ears are even.
  • Adjust the folds if needed to create the desired ear shape.

  Step 4: Draw the Dog’s Face

  • Use a black pen to draw a nose in the centre of the triangle.
  • Add two eyes above the nose.
  • Optionally, stick on googly eyes for extra fun!

  Step 5: Add Extra Details (Optional!)

  • Draw a tongue sticking out for a playful look.
  • Use coloured markers to add spots, fur, or whiskers.
  • If using thicker card, you can fold the bottom slightly backward so the dog face stands upright.

And we have a full video for you to follow here

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Paper Craft

Inspired by: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 Why:

✔️ Fine motor skills – Cutting and glueing card circles helps develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
✔️ Creativity – Kids can decorate their caterpillar with unique colours, patterns, and even glitter!
✔️ Storytelling skills – Bringing the caterpillar to life encourages imaginative play and book-themed learning.

Instructions:

• Cut out circles from green and red cards.
  • If you don't want to cut out card tissue circles would make a good alternative
• Stick them together in a wavy pattern.
• Add antennae and eyes using stickers.

Gruffalo Mask Making

Inspired by: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

 Why:

✔ Encourages Imaginative Play – Kids can act out The Gruffalo while wearing their mask.
✔ Develops Fine Motor Skills – Cutting, glueing, and colouring help with hand coordination.

Instructions:

• Use the card to cut out a Gruffalo face shape or a ready to go mask
• Add ears, horns, and other features.
• Attach a stick or string to wear as a mask.

Final Thoughts

World Book Day is the perfect time to celebrate stories and creativity. With these easy costume and craft ideas, you can bring books to life in a fun and educational way.