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We need your costume ideas for World Book Day

134 replies

CatherineMumsnet · 26/02/2009 14:56

Yes, we need your hot tips for costumes for World Book Day. Have you put together an outfit for your child that went down a storm or do you struggle to find anything within your budget if you can't sew a stitch?

OP posts:
surreylady · 26/02/2009 20:43

DS - This Year - Tom from Tom's midnight Garden (so stripey Pj's and a dressing gown) last Year - The Golden Compass from the Golden Compass - he made it from a large cardboard box and we made shoulder straps - he really enjoyed making it and it was unique. He was 8 at the time.

Aefondkiss · 26/02/2009 20:48

my dd wanted to go as a unicorn - from some unicorn book she has, but I refused because we had only a few days notice from the school that they were to dress up, so she went as her favourite greek goddess from the Odyssey - Athena, it was pretty easy to alter an old night gown, and dh and I were close to divorce whilst constructing a helmet, from silver card I had purchased the day before the event, she had a broom shaft staff of wisdom and a cardboard shield dh and dd made with an owl painted on it - she won a prize, which was a book she,very ungratefully, pointed out that she already had at home

ds at nursery went as an owl, from the owl and the pussy cat one year, we used an old t-shirt and some old material for wings, he took a wee pea green boat and a ukelele as his small guitar.... and I was the pussy cat (because parents were asked to dress up too, I wish I had forgotten that)

Califrau · 26/02/2009 20:51

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Divineintervention · 26/02/2009 20:52

Charlotte's Web, black trousers, black tee long sleeved Tee shirt, with four extra arms sewn on (made out of rolled black felt, it was quite stiff and easy to shape into legs) these were linked by elastic to eachother and then around the wrists. I also made eight eyes on a head band, black pom poms with white felt circles and little wobbly eyes on top! This was more successful than any bought costume or more tricky leopard or tiger suits I've made!!

Califrau · 26/02/2009 21:01

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LargeGlassofRed · 26/02/2009 21:06

Dd going as puss in boots this year, Ds wants to go as dumbledore! so I'm searching for a white wig and beard.
Other years we've had white witch, peter from lion witch and the wardrobe. Harry potter. Cat in the hat.

Jajas · 26/02/2009 21:16

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stealthsquiggle · 26/02/2009 21:19

You can have all of my ideas - DS's school are not dressing up - Head has too much empathy with hassled mothers - but I like making costumes (maybe not quite as much as Califrau but she has lots of random American excuses to do it) - give me a theme and I am away (all night, generally, since I have no time otherwise).

I made DS a fab Captain Patch (The Night Pirates) a couple of years ago - women's size 8 red cord jacket from jumble sale heavily 'customised', leggings with patches sewn on, crossed belts and a cowboy hat stapled to make a tricorn (with patches of course). And boots with turnover tops. It's available for hire .

I like this stuff. I am certifiable, I know, but would someone like to lend me a DC to dress up ?

janeite · 26/02/2009 21:22

Pirate costumes are simple; you don't need to buy one! Rolled up jeans, a stripey t-shirt, a bandana, draw on a beard, sorted. Can go further with a homemade sword, eye patch, parrot etc if you want.

Califrau · 26/02/2009 21:28

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choosyfloosy · 26/02/2009 21:29

stealthsquiggle - stick an advert up a discreet distance from a school that is still in thrall to this event, and watch yourself get inundated with responses! You may have a business on your hands there...

stealthsquiggle · 26/02/2009 21:37

There now, Califrau - how very dare your DS's opt for store-bought costumes ? Do you want to go into business or are you too busy making banners ?

Califrau · 26/02/2009 21:50

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GossipMonger · 26/02/2009 21:59

oooh I am soooo excited about WBD

We have the Mr Men and Little Miss theme to work from with our own interpretation of the character and I have to dress up too!!

DS1 is Mr Funny.

He is wearing a size 22 lime tshirt from Peacocks (£1) with lime green legwarmers (£1), yellow washing up gloves and DH has made him a big yellow hat with a flower sticking out of it. He is going to carry 2 joke books as well.

DS2 is Mr Tickle.

He is wearing a huge orange tshirt (Charity Shop £3!) and I found some long orangey feather thing from the market for his arms. I cut out 2 orange hands from cardboard and put it all together and a little blue hat which we made today.

I am going as Little Miss Contrary.

Black thermals. Huge red/orange pashmina pinned all over me, yellow curly wig and glasses.

LOL!! How sad that I cannot wait for next Friday!!

FairyLightsForever · 26/02/2009 21:59

My DS went as Twoflower from Sir Terry Pratchett's 'Colour of Magic'.
Hawian -type shirt with chinese dragons on it, 'Howard' glasses free from the Halifax, an old exercise book with prases in Bes Palargic and english translations written in it and some large gold card discs that I had helped to decorate as coins. I think he was 10 at the time and it was all stuff we had in the house.

Jajas · 26/02/2009 22:01

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gigglewitch · 26/02/2009 22:15

ds1 - in year two at the time and cool for school, went as 'The gingerbread man' (horrid henry and co had been banned ) in brown top and trousers, big black cardboard buttons stuck on and black face paint on his nose and around his eyes; also with a banner proclaiming "You can't catch me - I'm a gingerbread man!"
oh, and a box of mini gingerbread men in case anyone / fox did catch him!!!

traceymumof3 · 26/02/2009 22:20

Last year my oldest went as Tracey Beaker, and the youngest went as little miss muffet, this year all the children are going to be pirates, which hasn't gone down to well with my 2 girls !!!

GrimmaTheNome · 26/02/2009 22:39

What did you do for Tracey Beaker, please? [not that I think DD will be diverted from the impossible Toto]

PillicockSatOnPillicockHill · 26/02/2009 22:42

my dd won a world book day competition when i dressed her as the illustrated mum

hippyish outfit and tattoos easy!

Califrau · 26/02/2009 23:08

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Niecie · 27/02/2009 00:31

DS1 is going to be Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III from the Cressida Cowl books.

I have bought a viking helmet from ebay, I am making him a 'fur' gilet, he can wear his roman tunic from last year and one of my leather belts round his middle. I might even lend him my large pewter celtic design brooch. (He will be wearing trousers too).

DS2 is going as fantastic Mr Fox as he was a fox for Percy the Park keeper Day last term and I knitted him a fox's tail with a bit of white fun fur at the end. I made him some ears by sticking the wool onto pieces of card. Having made that I intend to get some more use out of it!!

DS1 has been Charlie Bucket before now which is really easy - just get some old clothes, preferably too small, sew on some rough patches of fabric and make a golden ticket to cart around all day. I even typed the words out from the book to stick on it although it isn't necessary.

We live next to the school and looking out of the window on WBD all you can see are scores of little girls dressed up in Disney Cinderella dresses and boys in Harry Potter capes. Never send your child as either!!!

FAQinglovely · 27/02/2009 00:41

DS2's infant school have come up with a brilliant idea for the day.

They've come up with a "theme" of "Bedtime Stories" - and so all the children will be going to school in their PJ's - armed with favourite bedtime story and/or favourite teddy bear.

MouseMate · 27/02/2009 05:54

Witch outfit with hair plaited and a bow on end, carrying wand and broomstick with cut out pictures of a cat, dog, frog, green parrot.

Room on the Broom, Julia Donaldson.

Last year did mouse outfit (bought sadly) for the Gruffalo.

Buda · 27/02/2009 08:13

DS's school is doing Book Week from 16 March. Am sure they will need to dress up but haven't been told as yet. Am equally sure that he will want to wear football kit! He does have a couple of books about football - 2 of them written by a football-mad authur Alan Durant who actually came to the school last Book Week so am not entirely sure the school will be able to ban football kit!

They will also do a book at bedtime where we bring the children back to school at 6pm in their PJs and they have hot chocolate and a biscuit and a bedtime story. Parents supposed to be in PJs too but I usually 'forget'!