14 easy Roald Dahl costume ideas
Fancy dressing your child up as their favourite Roald Dahl character? Whether it's for Roald Dahl Day, World Book Day, or just because, try these simple DIY costumes on for size – from Matilda to Fantastic Mr Fox.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Feb 14, 2022
When is Roald Dahl Day?
Roald Dahl Day 2022 falls on Tuesday 13 September. Some schools celebrate 'Dahlicious Dress Up Day' on this day where your child can come to school dressed as a Roald Dahl character. Your child's school might choose another day in the year to celebrate, so do check with them to see when/if they are holding the event.
And don't forget, these costumes are all perfect for World Book Day too.
Roald Dahl costumes
Matilda costumes
Matilda
“Wear a blue dress, hairband or ribbon, white socks, school shoes and take a 'trolley' of books. The trolley can be made from a cardboard box and a skateboard, or if that's too much trouble, a big book to carry would work too.”
Miss Trunchbull
“Hair in a bun, draw on a few whiskers. Wear a buttoned-up shirt, skirt, long socks and clompy shoes.”
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costumes
Charlie Bucket
“Wear old clothes that are slightly too small and carry a Golden Ticket made from gold Christmas wrapping paper over cardboard.”
Violet Beauregarde
“When my daughter dressed up as Violet, I essentially painted her purple. She wore purple clothes, purple nail polish and we painted a pair of old school shoes purple. I spray painted her hair and brushed her hands and face with purple eye shadow too. She was a vision.”
An Oompa Loompa
“White trousers, orange T-shirt, orange face paint, and green wig if you have one.”
BFG costumes
Sophie
“My daughter is going as Sophie from the BFG, she is thrilled that she can wear her nightie to school.”
The BFG
“Wear outgrown trousers, sandals, an old shirt, waistcoat, and cardboard ears. Carry a dream bottle and foil trumpet with a miniature Lego 'Sophie' in your pocket.”
A Snozzcumber…
If you've got a non-conformist on your hands, dress them in bright green from head to toe and send them into school as the BFG's staple food – a snozzcumber, of course. This fancy dress costume * may * even encourage them to eat their greens. Ah, the lengths we go to…
James and the Giant Peach costumes
James
“I made a papier mâché peach using a balloon, and a worm to put inside. Dressed my son in normal clothes – and ta-da!”
One of the spiders
“Dress all in black, make four extra legs from stuffed tights, draw on big eyes and wear antennae on a headband.”
The giant peach
“Bash a box about, make arm and leg holes, paint it orange, and wrap a green scarf around your neck for the leaf.”
Buy a copy of James and the Giant Peach, £5.86
Need inspiration for World Book Day? Check out these 73 easy costume ideas
More easy Roald Dahl costumes
George – from George's Marvellous Medicine
“My son really hates any kind of dressing up so he went as George from George's Marvellous Medicine. He wore his own clothes, a name badge saying George and I made a label for a big bottle saying 'Marvellous Medicine, not for chickens or grandmas' and he was quite happy for minimal effort.”
Danny – from Danny the Champion of the World
“Wear dark coloured clothes and a dark hat. To finish it off, carry a packet of raisins or a sack with a pillow in it to look like pheasants.”
Mr or Mrs Fox – from The Fantastic Mr Fox
“A waistcoat, trousers tucked into socks, a tail made from one leg of an old pair of tights stuffed with kitchen roll. Attach a pair of cardboard ears on a headband, and then just draw on a few whiskers with eyeliner.”