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From having a child at school for the first time last year, I have learnt that schools also like to make us parents work pretty hard too.
From newsletters to read, clubs to book onto, pe kits to remember, homework to encourage completion of and help with, and forms to fill out – there is always something we have to be doing for school. None of those things quite put the fear in me like mention of ‘World Book Day’.
If you are lucky enough to not know what World Book Day is – World Book Day is a charity event held annually in the United Kingdom and Ireland on the first Thursday in March. It is the local manifestation of World Book Day organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. This year it is on Thursday 2nd March (SOON!!).
I had heard talk of this wonderful day from other parents before my daughter was at school, and I had a little giggle to myself that we weren’t at that point yet, and I could ignore the conversations of whether Frozen could be classed as a book. But alas, I shouldn’t have laughed. Because now it is my turn to consider making something for about two seconds that will make all of the other kids jealous, and then remembering that I will fail miserably, stress myself out, and end up rushing to Asda at the very, very last minute. I know I am shit at that kind of thing – I do not have the patience or the skill and I just don’t bloody want to do it either.
So after getting lost in a kids’ fancy dress costumes tornado online, and discussing ideas with some (more experienced and creative) friends, I thought I would bring together a few simple (read: purchase-able) World Book Day ideas and good places to buy costumes into one place, in case you are also feeling uninspired and a wee bit stressed at the thought of that ‘fun’ day.
A cat or a witch from Room on the Broom – both pretty easy to put together or buy, especially if you already have some kind of witches costume! A cat is easy with black leggings and t-shirt, drawing on a little black nose and whiskers with face paint or an eyeliner, and then buying a tail and cat ears (or make your own if you’re that way inclined). Plus little kids with whiskers and a black nose running around is super cute. If you prefer the easy way then this ebay cat costume is alright with a few tiny modifications.
Rachel at Coffee Cake Kids shared how she put together a great fancy dress costume for her little boy a couple of years ago – The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Disney Princess – I know it’s pretty standard and there’ll be 200 Disney Princesses running around the playground next Thursday. But still, I’m sure a lot of us already have at least one Disney Princess costume, and if you don’t have time or money to spend then we can all pretend for one day for you that Frozen counts as a book not a film. You’re welcome.
When we think of an Oompa Loompa most of us probably think of the film first, but of course the book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ came first – I love this idea because it’s a bit different, fun, and easy – although I’m not sure about doing an orange face before school and getting charged by the school because your child has spread orange face paint all over everywhere. If you fancy taking the risk ebay have this one.
I flipping love this Gangsta Granny costume from ebay – a David Walliams book. It’s so simple and yet so effective and kids would look so cute and funny in it. I dont think I’ll be able to persuade Ava to choose this one but I will try.
A mouse from the Gruffalo – The Gruffalo is actually one of Ava’s favourite books and would be pretty easy to do, although I kind of wish the mouse in the gruffalo was black! But you can cheat with this one.
Where’s Wally – a red and white striped t-shirt, some blue trousers and pick up some cheap plastic glasses and a hat. It looks cool and it’s so simple. Or there’s this one from Asda.
I think this Little Red Riding Hood costume from Asda is really cute. Ava is suddenly quite into those traditional fairytales after reading them at school, so I think she’d like this. (Or dressing up as a pig, perhaps!).
Put your kid in their pyjamas and say they are Sophie from the BFG (quite possibly the simplest option as long as you have some clean pyjamas!).
Burglar Bill – a black and white striped t-shirt, trousers, and maybe craft (urgh) a black eye mask out of cardboard and paint so it looks like you’ve made a bit of effort. A cat cuddly toy will go perfectly with it!
If you’re child goes to ballet, they can wear their outfit to be Angelina Ballerina! Easy peasy.
Zara at Mojo Blogs suggested a character from Harry Potter – it’s very easy to pick up a relatively cheap Harry Potter or Hermione costume online, and Harry would be pretty easy to mostly do yourself, and oh so cute. See very strong evidence below.
Argos also have some great, reasonably priced costumes – like this very cute Buzz Lightyear one, or you could even get the pyjama version so you can get lots of use out of them! Maria from Suburban Mum‘s little boy makes an incredibly cute Buzz!
Party Delights online has some great kids costumes too, like this Trolls one or Mary Poppins, although they are mostly a bit more expensive than the others, but still under £20.
A rabbit would be quite easy for fans of Peter Rabbit, and if you happen to have a blue duffle coat, hat and wellies then you could dress them as Paddington Bear. Pippi Longstocking would also be cute and pretty easy – stripy or odd long socks or tights, a dress and plaited pigtails!
If you have any more easy and cheap fancy dress ideas please share them in the comments!
* I am well aware that World Book Day is a great day that raises money for charity as well as being fun for kids, and I am a shit person whinging about it, so there.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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