Book Week has a funny way of sneaking up on you.

One minute you’re thinking, “Oh yes, we should probably organise a costume for that…” and the next it’s 8pm the night before and you’re rummaging through the dress-up box looking for something — anything — that can be vaguely connected to a book.

The good news is that a great Book Week costume doesn’t need three weeks of crafting, an advanced sewing qualification or an emergency trip to Spotlight. Some of the best costumes can be pulled together with things you already have at home.

Here are a few of our favourite quick and easy Book Week costume ideas for when time is very much not on your side.

A few tips for last-minute Book Week success

Start with the cupboard, not the character.
Instead of choosing an elaborate character and then trying to recreate their outfit, look at what you already own. Got a stripy shirt? A cape? Overalls? A ridiculous hat? Work backwards and find a book character to match.

The book is part of the costume!
If the outfit isn't immediately recognisable, carrying the book solves a multitude of costume problems. Suddenly your child wearing normal clothes and holding a book is a literary character.

Cardboard is your friend.
Cereal boxes, paper, textas and sticky tape can achieve remarkable things under pressure. Crowns, signs, masks, giant accessories — embrace the slightly wonky homemade aesthetic.

Don't underestimate pyjamas.
There are an astonishing number of children's books involving bedtime, dreams, sleepovers and kids wearing pyjamas. Just saying.

Remember: the kids don't care about Pinterest.
They mostly want to dress up, parade around with their friends and talk about books. It doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, the hastily assembled costumes often make the best stories later.

So raid the cupboards, grab some cardboard and find that book you swear was on the shelf yesterday.

Happy Book Week - and good luck out there. 📚