Calling All Readers: You Will Love These Clever Book Character Costumes
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Think of your favorite childhood book. Now, think of the characters that make up the story. If you could be them for one day, would you? We know Ree Drummond would! For her, it was a whole series of books that had her completely captivated as a child. "I grew up reading the Little House on the Prairie series," Ree says of Laura Ingalls Wilder's most popular works. "I absolutely adored them."
When you're that passionate about a book as a child, the love never really goes away—and that's exactly what inspired us to put together this list of the best book character costumes to wear for Halloween. Maybe you're a teacher looking for a fun way to teach a literature lesson on October 31, maybe you're looking for ideas for your kids, or perhaps you're a parent wanting to step back into those magical, memorable pages yourself. Either way, you'll love taking a trip down memory lane as you scroll through these easy Halloween costume ideas, which include sibling costumes, best friend costumes, and more. There's a DIY "Where's Waldo?" costume here that'll have your fellow Halloween party guests in stitches, a Lorax tutorial for those interested in saving the Truffula trees, and—of course!—a Little House-inspired look, too. And we dare you to take a look at the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie costume included here and not crack a smile. Because all of these ensembles are easy to DIY, they double as excellent last-minute Halloween costumes as well. Bookworms, prepare to be wowed!
Ms. Frizzle Costume
Embody every child's favorite bus driver with this spunky costume. It's pretty simple to make, too!
Get the tutorial at Maniacs in the Middle
Willy Wonka Costume
Halloween already comes with all things candy, so why not dress up as the master of chocolate himself? This one calls for a lot of purple.
Get the tutorial at Hello Rigby.
Amelia Bedelia Costume
Literature's most beloved housekeeper just got a costume tutorial! Once you layer the collared shirt under the long sleeve dress, everything will start coming together!
Get the tutorial at The Chirping Moms.
Eloise Costume
Eloise and Weenie make the perfect duo for this Halloween! This homage to the classic series by Kay Thompson will delight both kids and adults.
Get the tutorial at People Webs.
Tin Man Costume
You probably know The Wizard of Oz as a famous movie, but did you know that it was a book first? Channel the beloved character the Tin Man from this classic work.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & a Princess.
Hermione Costume
Toddlers are certainly as headstrong as Hermione Granger—though they may need a little more help mastering her go-to spells and charms. The tiny witch's hat here couldn't be cuter.
Get the tutorial at Sisters, What!
'The Hunger Games' Costume
Help your teen or pre-teen channel Katniss Everdeen's strong, courageous personality with this easy-to-assemble ensemble. It's bound to make them feel as cool as they look.
Get the tutorial at Simple As That.
'The Three Musketeers' Costume
You'll just need two more pals to give this swashbuckling costume an adorably authentic feel. Oh, and that hat feather is a must-add detail!
Get the tutorial at Adventure in a Box.
'Nancy Drew' Costume
Turn heads and solve mysteries all at once with this chic Nancy Drew costume. As long as you've got a magnifying glass in hand, you can make it work with pretty much whatever you find in your closet!
Get the tutorial at Ashley Brooke Designs.
'Anne of Green Gables' Costume
Bring this classic character of Anne Shirley to life with nothing more than a few wardrobe basics, some hair ribbon, and a straw hat.
Get the tutorial at Kastles.
'Where the Wild Things Are' Costume
Not only is this DIY costume the easiest way to let the wild rumpus start, but it's also a fabulous idea for keeping your baby warm all evening. Bring it on, chilly October weather!
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl.
'Captain Underpants' Costume
Get their friends giggling with this faux "underwear-only" look. It's fully DIY, easy to mimic at home, and undeniably hilarious.
Get the tutorial at The Mom Creative.
'The Cat in the Hat' Costume
How adorable is this DIY The Cat in the Hat costume? That miniature "goldfish" sidekick is all but guaranteed to make your fellow party guests laugh.
Get the tutorial at Brit + Co.
Queen of Hearts Costume
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is one of the most classic of books—so it's safe to say that this is one of the most classic book character costumes! Dress up as one of the story's most memorable characters, the Queen of Hearts, with this dazzling red outfit.
Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.
Hedwig Costume
Believe it or not, this precious Hedwig costume is no-sew! No matter your crafting skill level, you'll be able to transform your little one into the beloved Harry Potter character in no time.
Get the tutorial at Make Life Lovely.
'Little House on the Prairie' Costume
If there's one person who'd appreciate this Laura Ingalls Wilder costume, it'd be Ree. Not only did she love the Little House series as a child, but she also grew up to marry a rancher. "Hilarious that I wound up living in the country!" she says.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' Costume
Grab a pair of overalls and two large pieces of cardboard, then craft your way through this adorable, instantly recognizable costume. (Bonus points if you bring along a few real cookies for Halloween snacking!)
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Luna Lovegood Costume
Muggles, here's your chance to embody the wackiest and most wonderful Harry Potter character of them all! Sure, you could go as Harry himself, but this slightly more original idea is a fun way to mix things up.
Get the tutorial at My Poppet Makes.
'The BFG' Costume
There's a reason that generation after generation comes back to Roald Dahl’s classic book: It's heartwarming, endearing, and magical. Put a smile on the faces of grown-ups and kids alike with this dream-catching outfit inspired by The BFG.
Get the tutorial at Desert Chica.
'The Giving Tree' Costume
Shel Silverstein's classic book comes to life in this all-green get-up. And what better place to stow your candy than in that no-sew felt apple bag?
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
'The Lorax' Costume
Teach your kids about the importance of sticking up for Mother Earth with this Dr. Seuss-inspired costume. "Furry" glasses are a necessary finishing touch.
Get the tutorial at The Mom Creative.
'Chrysanthemum' Costume
This 1991 picture book has captured the hearts of thousands of children since its publication—mainly because of its positive messages about self-acceptance. Here, the little mouse with the long name transforms into a charming Halloween costume.
Get the tutorial at The House that Lars Built.
Hansel and Gretel Costumes
Hansel and Gretel's eventual fate in Grimm's Fairy Tales is, well, a little bleak. But you can remind your kids of the happier parts of the story by dressing them up in these sweet, old-fashioned outfits.
Get the tutorial at Live Like You Are Rich.
'Pippi Longstocking' Costume
Who could forget Pippi Longstocking's lopsided braids or freckles? Recreate her whimsical look at home with this easy-to-follow tutorial.
Get the tutorial at Positively Splendid.
'Beauty and the Beast' Costume
Before it was a movie, Beauty and the Beast was a classic fairytale. Step into the provincial life with this DIY Belle costume, which also gives you an excuse to show off your favorite books.
Get the tutorial at Merrick’s Art.
'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Costume
This tutorial comes complete with a printable mask template, making it an excellent last-minute option for busy parents. Even the striped socks are DIY: Simply apply a coat of acrylic paint to a pair of white socks.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
'The Great Gatsby' Costume
Get glitzy with this Great Gatsby-inspired costume. Flapper-style elements like dresses, pearls, and dangling earrings give the novel's glamorous parties modern-day appeal.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
'Where the Wild Things Are' Costume
If there's anything better than a book character costume, it's one that's warm and cozy. Littles ones will look even cuter in this onesie.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party.
'The Day the Crayons Quit' Costumes
The best thing about these rainbow-colored costumes—besides the fabulously silly book they reference—is the fact that they're fully customizable.
Get the tutorial at The House that Lars Built.
'Goodnight Moon' Costume
For years, toddlers have been captivated (and lulled to sleep) by Goodnight Moon. With this creative costume, you'll have them just as mesmerized.
Get the tutorial at Hess Family Blog.
'Harry Potter' Costumes
It's the ultimate last-minute literary costume: a duo of Harry Potter characters! Pair store-bought elements with DIY finds to create a similar look.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.
'Alice in Wonderland' Costume
Fall down the rabbit hole and into this blogger's colorful costume tutorial. Who knows? Maybe you'll even have time to fit in a game of flamingo croquet.
Get the tutorial at Color Me Courtney.
'Nancy Drew' Costume
It's no mystery why so many people have fallen in love with the Nancy Drew series. Here, her preppy style makes for a lovely Halloween costume—just don't forget a magnifying glass.
Get the tutorial at Gimme Glamour.
'Madeline' Costume
The opening lines of few books are as memorable as those belonging to Madeline: "In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines..." Dress up as Madeline herself with the help of this easy tutorial.
Get the tutorial at Classy In The Classroom.
'Where's Waldo?' Costume
Following this blogger's lead, you can crochet your very own DIY Waldo hat—but a store-bought version would work just as well. Add a red-and-white striped shirt and thick black glasses, and you'll finally get to see Waldo without straining your eyes.
Get the tutorial at Repeat Crafter Me.
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