What better way to get your students interested in reading than to dress as their favorite book character? Whether it’s for Halloween or you need ideas for a Book Character Spirit Day, we’ve got you covered with these fantastic book character costume ideas for individuals and groups!
Individual Book Character Costume Ideas for Teachers
Amy B., pre-K–6th librarian, for We Are Teachers
Mo Willem’s Pigeon
Dressing like this beloved mischievous bird is easy with a knit cap from Etsy seller Allie Hats. Attach the sign to a yardstick and stick it in your back pocket, and you’ll have a “caption” all day long!
Jenn White, kindergarten teacher, for We Are Teachers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
We love the idea of being the coconut tree from this adored alphabet book! Add letters to a brown tunic and make yourself a headdress from construction paper.
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Want to make this costume even funnier? Spend the day constantly eating some of the items from the book! Grab the green tutu on Amazon and use your creativity for the rest.
Jen E., middle school ELA teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Girl With the Green Ribbon
Remember that creepy tale from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? She’d never take off her ribbon, and never tell anyone why …
J. Douglas, 4th grade teacher, via We Are Teachers
Jessica Arconti, preschool teacher, for We Are Teachers
If You Take a Mouse to School
You can go the classic route with a big cookie, but this version of the book is even better for a teacher costume. This idea comes together in a snap with a pair of overalls and some mouse ears.
Heather Q., 8th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Holly Golightly
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn for this costume based on the movie version of Capote’s classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Kathy G., high school art teacher, for We Are Teachers
Amy B., pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Pete the Cat
Add big colorful buttons to a yellow shirt, add some cat ears, and you’ve got a Pete the Cat costume! If you can do the different-colored sneakers, even better.
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
A Bad Case of the Stripes
Kids will adore this super-colorful costume. If you don’t want to paint your arms and legs with face paint, you can buy striped leggings and a striped long-sleeve shirt instead.
Sarah A., 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Fly Guy
Those fly eyes made from paper plates are totally cute and easy enough for any teacher to make. You can also make your own wings, or pick up a pair on Amazon.
Lisa Jacobs for We Are Teachers
Phileas Fogg
If you really love putting effort into your costumes, take inspiration from this incredible Around the World in 80 Days costume! A giant beach ball balanced in a Hula-Hoop forms the “balloon,” and a pair of steampunk goggles adds an authentic touch.
Haley Balog for We Are Teachers
Puzzled Penguin
This adorable penguin onesie costume is practically like wearing jammies to school. Just attach some question mark cutouts to transform it into the beloved book character.
Brooke Reynolds, 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Pinkalicious
Is it possible to like the color pink too much? Nah, of course not! Here’s the pink boa and tutu you need for this costume.
Ms. Tranchilla, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Ms. Frizzle
This is one of those teacher Halloween costumes that’s become a perennial favorite. Don’t forget to attach a stuffed lizard pal to your shoulder!
Daletta G. for We Are Teachers
Poison Ivy
It’s easy to find artificial ivy strings. Just dress in green, wrap yourself in vines, and you’ve transformed into the classic comic book character!
Brianna Sayegh, high school teacher, for We Are Teachers
Where’s Waldo?
This one works as a solo costume or one for you and your teacher BFF. Wear your own striped shirt, or buy a Waldo costume on Amazon.
Liz B., preschool teacher, for We Are Teachers
Little Red Riding Hood
This one is easy to create with a red cape and a basket full of treats. Got a teacher BFF? Ask them to be the Big Bad Wolf!
Kate A., kindergarten teacher, for We Are Teachers
Snow White
Before she was a Disney princess, she was a fairy tale character. Kids will recognize the Disney version best, and you can buy the costume on Amazon too.
Willa Barron, 8th grade ELA teacher, for We Are Teachers
Group Book Character Costume Ideas for Teachers
Kaitlyn H., kindergarten, ESL teacher, for We Are Teachers
Party Animals
Mix animal costumes with birthday hats and noisemakers, and you’ve got the whole cast of characters from Tara Lazar’s adorable book!
Brittany G., 3rd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The colorful tutus are fun, but it’s those headbands that really make this teacher team costume pop!
Amy, pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Melanie Nielsen, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Frog and Toad
This is an amazing costume idea for two teacher besties. They’re friends forever, just like Frog and Toad!
Brittany G., 3rd Grade for We Are Teachers
Charlotte’s Web
Want something the entire school can get in on? Try the farm animals and other characters from Charlotte’s Web!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Laura Numeroff Characters
If you give a teacher a Laura Numeroff book, they’ll turn it into a Halloween costume! Each teacher can pick their own favorite.
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
The Magic School Bus
Where would Ms. Frizzle be without the rest of the gang? Extra points if you can convince someone to dress up as the bus itself.
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
Junie B. Jones
This childhood favorite has been through dozens of adventures and looks a little different each time. That makes this a fantastic group costume, with each teacher dressing as their own version of Junie.
Brooke B., 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Winnie-the-Pooh
You can go all out with Pooh-themed costumes, but you don’t need to. These simple T-shirts and headbands get the idea across perfectly and are much more practical.
Alex Jackson, middle school teacher, for We Are Teachers
101 Dalmatians
This was a book before it was a movie! Spend a day being spotted puppies, and don’t forget to find someone to be Cruella de Vil. You can grab her wig here on Amazon.
Willa Barron, 8th grade ELA teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Bad Seed
Pick up some big sheets of poster board and create your own costumes for the characters from the popular picture book series. These kids made their teacher be the Bad Seed!
Hilary Statum, kindergarten teacher, for We Are Teachers
Room on the Broom
This book is absolutely perfect for group teacher Halloween costumes. We especially love the teacher dressed as the broom itself!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Avengers
We all know teachers are superheroes, so this group comic book costume seems especially appropriate.
Brooke B., 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Amy, pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Seuss Characters
Every kid knows their Dr. Seuss characters, and the huge array of books gives you so many to choose from. Try this Cat in the Hat accessory set for an easy idea.
Hayes Elementary 3rd grade teachers for We Are Teachers
The Day the Crayons Quit
This is a really popular book character costume idea, and it works well for big and small groups alike. Everyone can pick their favorite color!
Brittany G., 3rd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Wizard of Oz
Another book-to-movie idea! This group costume idea is always a lot of fun, and there are lots of characters available for big teams.
