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Book Week is supposed to be all about children celebrating books and encouraging reading but for parents the meaning can get lost as they scramble to come up with a costume that’s quick, easy, looks amazing and is cheap too.
Don’t stress! We’ve rounded up the coolest DIY costumes that you can easily pull together, even at the last minute.
So, when is it? Book Week 2020 will be held from October 17 to October 23. This year the Children’s Book Council Australia have chosen the theme “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”.
1/24
No One Likes A Fart
While no one likes a fart, we do LOVE this costume.
Best of all it’s pretty easy to whip up.
To make the fart you will need a large piece of cardboard cut-out into a cloud shape.
Glue loads of cotton wools onto the cardboard but first dip the top of the cotton wool ball into some murky yellowish paint.
Make the eyes, eyebrows and mouth from black felt or use black and white carboard and stick on with glue.
Add a neck strap and sling it over your child’s head and your little stinker is ready!
(Instagram/ @sweetas_baking)
2/24
Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2
Double the fun! The perfect costume for siblings or class buddies.
For starters, you’ll need two red t-shirts. Stick a large round white circle with number ‘1’ in the centre of one and number ‘2’ in the centre of the other tee.
A quick dash to a variety store or Spotlight can help with the blue fluffy material for the hat and some strips of blue tulle can be added to a red tutu skirt.
Two cute!
(Instagram)
3/24
Do Not Open This Book
Create the starring character from Andy Lee’s hit book with some paint, cardboard and some mad art skills.
Add a strap to secure around the neck, dress your child in blue and ta-da you’re done.
(Instagram/ @ashie_mashie)
4/24
Stick Man
Who knew brown cardboard could come in so handy?
Dress your child in brown and then add cardboard to their shins, forearms and middle.
Create the stickman head with a larger piece of rolled carboard – ensure it can squeeze onto your child’s head – and add the face.
(Pinterest)
5/24
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
If your son has a plain white tee and a pair of black shorts all you’ll to dress up as main character, Greg Heffley is some white cardboard, a black texta and a pair of scissors. Oh, some arty skills will help you out too.
(Image: Instagram @njfirth)
6/24
Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy dresses extravagantly so raid your daughter’s accessories and go crazy. Think feather boas, tutus, ruby slippers, fairy wings… go completely and totally extra.
(Image: Instagram @nadinetphotography)
7/24
The Lorax
First step is to dress your child in head-to-toe orange. Then, use a black texta to write, “I Speak For The Trees” on the tee. Finally, hit up your local craft store for some plastic orange glasses and yellow cardboard to make the wild eyebrows and moustache.
(Image: via Pinterest)
8/24
Where’s Wally
If your child doesn’t already own a red and white stripe tee, you could paint red stripes. Then add a blue skirt or a pair of jeans on the bottom half. Your bargain store should have black round glasses. Finish the look with a red and white beanie.
(Image: Instagram @thekendallgirls)
9/24
The Magic Faraway Tree
Steal a brown shirt from your hubby’s wardrobe and then head to the utensils drawer in the kitchen. Use large safety pins to secure random kitchen objects onto the shirt, add a saucepan as a hat and ta-da your child is Saucepan Man.
(Image: 365crafty.blogspot.com)
10/24
Thelma the Unicorn
If your daughter loves pink and unicorns, this costume is a total no-brainer. A pink top and pants with a unicorn headband and you’re done.
(Image: Instagram @kitty_wahine)
11/24
Pete the Cat
A yellow long-sleeved t-shirt can be transformed into a Pete the Cat oufit by using coloured paints for the large buttons. Add a pair of skinny blue jeans and some Converse sneakers and you’re almost done… the finishing touch is a black beanie with cat ears or buy a cat ears headband at a bargain store.
(Image: via Pinterest)
12/24
The Day the Crayons Quit
Crazy and cool! Simply dress your child head-to-toe in their favourite colour. Some black tape can be used around the ankles and wrists. And print some Crayola signs to secure to the tummy area. Use coloured hair spray (and your own styling skills) to send your child’s hair skyward.
(Image: costume-works.com)
13/24
Winnie the Pooh
This is next-level cute. Simply pop a red tee over a long-sleeved yellow t-shirt. Use fabric paint to write, “Pooh”. Add a yellow tutu and secure pigtails with circular yellow cardboard, for Pooh’s ears of course.
(Image: two-daloo.com)
14/24
The Adventures of TinTin and Matilda
Need to sort outfits for siblings? Dress your little man as TinTin by pairing a white collared shirt with a blue juumper. Add some brown pants and a white toy dog. Add some gel to spike up the hair at the front and he is good to go. Dress your little Matilda in a blue dress and white cardigan. Finish off with a red bow and a pair of black Mary Jane shoes.
(Image: Mathew Eldin)
15/24
Where Is The Green Sheep?
Now this costume is easy but time consuming. Once you’ve finished dipping loads of cotton balls in green paint, leave them to dry. Then, use craft glue to stick them onto a over-sized t-shirt. Used cardboard to make the sheep’s head and ears and cover with green cotton balls. Pop the “woolly” tee over a green long-sleeved t-shirt and you’re done. You better baaaa-lieve it!
(Image: via Pinterest)
16/24
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Need a quick costume at the last minute? This Dr Seuss themed-look is it! Cut-out cardboard fishes; add eyes and stick them to the front of a yellow shirt. Effective and oh so cute!
(Image: homemadeforelle.com)
17/24
Minecraft
If your child is Minecraft obsessed they are old enough to do the craft work necessary for this Steve costume. A pixelated face can be easily made by painting loads of paper square pieces. Glue them on a box and create peep holes for eyes.
(Image: via Pinterest)
18/24
Charlotte’s Web
Recreate this look for your little Charlotte’s Web fan with a white circular tablecloth. Cut a hole in the centre for your child’s head. Then using black yarn, or a black texta create the web. Finish the web by securing a plastic black spider.
(Image: bambinogoodies.co.uk)
19/24
Captain Underpants
Raid hubby’s draw for a pair of white pants and draw the initials C.U. onto them. Add a white singlet over a long-sleeved tee with a red cape and socks. Use your creative skills to make a Captain Underpants cardboard mask and pop a plunger into your child’s hand and ta-da, you’ve made a hilarious and easy costume.
(Image: via Pinterest)
20/24
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy
This outfit is pawfect! Black headband ears, a black bowtie for a collar and a black long-sleeved tee with a red paper, Hairy Maclary name tag. Finish the outfit by showing off your dazzling face-painting skills.
(Image: via Pinterest)
21/24
The 13-Storey Treehouse
Disclaimer: You do need to be a bit crafty for this costume! Make a headpiece and stick plastic leaves onto it. Secure onto your child’s head by using a tie under the chine. Top-off with a brown cardboard roof. Paint a singlet dress brown for the tree trunk and glue on some extra leaves. Amazing!
(Image: via Pinterest)
22/24
Mr. Messy
This one is cool. You’ll need a large sheet of white paper. Cut-out two cloud shapes for the front and back of the costume. Use red paint for the “mess” and add eyes and a smile with black paint. Secure the cloud shapes together with yarn and Mr. Messy is complete.
(Image: Instagram/thisisladyland.com)
23/24
Alice-Miranda at School
Well, wouldn’t it be handy if your daughter wore a similar school uniform!? This one’s a cich to recreate. Pair a tartan or plain black skirt with a blue cardigan. Then add a shirt with a red tie and a headband. And full marks to you.
(Image: Instagram/ @bec.chatman)
24/24
The Hungry Little Caterpillar
Like the caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly, you CAN do this! All your need to do is cut-out four green cardboard circles and glue them together. Create some caterpillar feet and glue these on too. Use string to secure the “caterpillar body” to your child. Using a red plastic plate, stick on the eyes, mouth and ears with yellow, green and purple paper. Use scissors to carefully mark out eye holes and secure with an elastic. Beautiful!
(Image: Instagram @ky1986)
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