World Book Day!

It’s that time of year again, when we have to struggle to think of and make (or rush out and buy, but I’m a tight arse, so I’m not doing that! 🤣) our kids World Book Day costumes!

This year is different to any other as we are in lockdown.. and to be honest, I had, until this morning, said sod it, let’s not bother this year!

But then I was on the good old socials, and I felt bad looking at all the wonderful costumes, and the happy (and some not so happy 🤣) kids in them.

So I thought what can I make for my kiddos, that’s quick, easy, cheap and because I love them to be, matching.

My daughter Lauren, just loves books! She has hundreds! She cant read (she is on the spectrum and has global developmental delay) but she loves to look at the pictures, loves to rub the pages and I dont know why, but loves to tap the pages with a stick 🤣.

So I got to work, and rifled through her book collection for some inspiration. I came across a collection of Mr Men and Little Miss books.. perfect! Easy to make the kids matching, and an easy one to chuck together!

I sent hubby off to the local shop to ask them if they had any spare boxes we could pinch, and he came back with four crisp boxes.

I got to work, and within an hour, each of the kids had a world book day costume!

Here is my step by step on how to make an easy peasy, super cheap (I had all the materials, so it cost me nothing!) And effective World Book Day costume.

First get to your local shop and ask them for a cardboard box. Most shops will give you them, no problem, but I always go to my small independent shop, it’s easier, quicker and I think they’re more likely to give you what you need 😊

Once you have the box, the rest is easy peasy. 😊

Start by cutting a hole in the top for the head.. make sure it’s big enough for the head to go through, but not too big that you lose the structural integrity of the box.

Next cut two arm holes in either side of the box.. I made to long oval cuts, so it wouldnt be too restrictive for the kiddos..

And the last of the box cutting.. cut the bottom off. (For the Mr Skinny character I just cut either side and left it hanging down to give that longer front)

Box turned upside down, so you see what I mean. 😊

Next you will want to tape up the box. Tape up all openings, so it is a nice sturdy box again. I just used normal celloptape, as it’s all I had, but packing tape or duct tape would probably have been easier. 😊

We sat down with the books, and the kids chose which characters they would like to be.

I got the card ready, we are a crafty household so I have a plethora of coloured card anyway, but a multipack of coloured card is pretty cheap anyway.. and it’s the only cost involved in the whole project!

I used double sided tape (but normal would be fine too) to stick pieces of card to the cardboard box. I only did the front as we’re only at home anyway, if I’d sent them to school like it, I would have definitely gone all the way round.

2 pieces of card was slightly longer then box, so I just folded it over at the top.

Then with a permanent marker, draw the face, another bonus, Mr Men and Little Miss faces are super easy to draw!

And if they have a headpiece, hat, hair etc, make that by cutting the relevant shape and stick it to the top of the face!

And my son in it, cos hes just too stinking cute! (I think most 8 years old would be like, no way, but my Dylan, like his dad 🤣, just get on board with any craziness I have in mind!)