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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, group 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. There's also plenty of pop culture costumes like Harry Potter and princesses! 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! And if you're here, you'll probably want to check out these spooktacular Halloween books, too.
1
Fantastic Mr. Fox
How great is this? Think outside the fox (get it?) with this take on the children's novel Fantastic Mr. Fox written by Roald Dahl. After you put together your vintage outfits, you can make a fox mask out of poster board and watercolor paint.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
2
Peter Pan Costume
Though we all know and love the movies, Peter Pan was first a play and then a novel titled Peter and Wendy. The whole family can take a trip to Neverland with this magical group getup featuring the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and The Lost Boys.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
3
Cinderella Costume
As the beloved princess once said, "Did you ever see such a beautiful dress? And look! Glass slippers. Why, it’s like a dream. A wonderful dream come true." You can copy her iconic ensemble with a vintage blue dress, matching satin gloves, a black choker necklace and, if you really want to go all out, a blonde wig.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
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4
The Handmaid’s Tale Costume
A deep red cloak and dress paired with a white bonnet will have you instantly recognizable as a Gilead handmaid from Margaret Atwood's chilling novel. You can also grab a group to make this one even more impactful.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
5
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Costume
This classic fairytale costume is just right! Since you can use clothes right from your own closet, the only things you'll need to make are papier-mâché bear masks and a little golden wig! Bowls of porridge are optional...
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
6
Mary Poppins Costume
Now this is one supercalifragilisticexpialidocious costume! You can probably throw it together using items you already have in your closet including a bag and umbrella. Just add a few charming accents like a hat and red ribbon.
Get the tutorial at Merrick's Art.
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7
Ms. Frizzle Costume
Teachers and The Magic School Bus fans alike will get a kick out of this spunky costume. Luckily, it only takes a few steps to embody every child's favorite bus driver. Just don't forget her pal Liz the lizard!
Get the tutorial at Maniacs in the Middle.
8
Willy Wonka Costume
Halloween already comes with all things candy, so why not dress up as the master of chocolate himself? Grab your golden ticket and get to crafting! This one calls for a lot of purple.
Get the tutorial at Hello Rigby.
9
Amelia Bedelia Costume
Literature's most beloved and literal-minded housekeeper just got a costume tutorial! Once you layer the collared shirt under the long sleeve dress, everything will start coming together! How charming!
Get the tutorial at The Chirping Moms.
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10
Hermione Costume
The tiny witch's hat on this Hermione Granger costume couldn't be cuter! Toddlers are certainly as headstrong as this character—though they may need a little more help mastering her go-to spells and charms. Bonus: If you're looking for great group costumes, just add Harry Potter and Ron Weasley to complete this trio.
Get the tutorial at Sisters, What!
11
Eloise Costume
If you ask us, Eloise and Weenie make the perfect duo for this Halloween! The super cute homage to the classic series by Kay Thompson will delight both kids and adults.
Get the tutorial at People Webs.
12
Tin Man Costume
Get ready to take a stroll down the yellow brick road. Yep, 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.
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13
'The Hunger Games' Costume
Who doesn't love Katniss Everdeen and her strong, courageous personality? Help your teen or pre-teen have her main character moment 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.
14
'The Three Musketeers' Costume
With this swashbuckling costume, you'll just need to gather two more pals to really give it an adorably authentic feel. Oh, and that hat feather is a must-add detail!
Get the tutorial at Adventure in a Box.
15
'Anne of Green Gables' Costume
Any kindred spirits out there will love bringing the 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.
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16
'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.
17
'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.
18
'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.
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19
'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.
20
'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.
Macie Reynolds
Assistant Editor
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
