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14 no-sew, last-minute costume ideas for World Book Day
Have you left it to the last minute to find a costume for World Book Day? No time for emergency online orders or a dash to the shops? Take inspiration from other Mumsnet users' DIY ideas that require nothing more than the sort of stuff you can find lying around at home – and which you can pull together in under 10 minutes.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Feb 28, 2023
When is World Book Day 2022?
World Book Day this year is on Thursday 2 March. Find out more and discover what the £1 books are for 2023 on the World Book Day website.
Whether the day is already here, looming or you simply don't fancy fussing around with glue guns and needles, here is our list of DIY World Book Day costumes that you can make at home without sewing.
World Book Day costumes with next day delivery
No-sew costumes for World Book Day
1. Paddington Bear
Blue duffle coat + hat + wellington boots
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
White t-shirt + black shorts + black backpack
3. Where's Wally
Stripy top + bobble hat + glasses
4. Mr Bump
Bandages (or loo roll) + plasters + blue clothes
5. Captain Underpants
White pants worn over clothes + red cape or sheet
6. Goth Girl
Purple dress + umbrella + cape (optional)
7. Pippi Longstocking
Stripy socks or tights + dress + plaited pigtails
8. Tintin
High socks + any clothes (jumper, shirt, coat) + gelled hair
9. Room on the Broom
Witch's hat + red top + purple skirt
10. Clarice Bean
White shirt + pinafore dress
11. Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs
Normal clothes + bucket + toy dinosaurs
12. George's Marvellous Medicine
Normal clothes + small bottle labelled 'medicine'
13. Just William
Dirty school uniform + baggy socks + cap
14. 101 Dalmations
Draw black spots onto a white T-shirt + black or white jeans + face paint (optional)
Need more World Book Day ideas?
If none of these take your child's fancy, don't despair – there's still time to dress them to impress. If you're after something with a little more finesse, discover our list of 75 World Book Day costume ideas or check out our handy video instructable below.