Last Minute Costume Ideas Inspired by Fantasy Series
Halloween Costumes From Books
We’ve all been in this spot. It’s the day before, and you need a last-minute Halloween costume for you or your kids. Luckily we’ve done the research, and we’ve got an easy book character costume for everyone!
This list of costume ideas is going to focus on what we think you can get together in just a few hours. While they may not be the most intricate, these easy Halloween costumes for kids (or adults) are still crowd-pleasers. Here’s what we’ve compiled:
The Cat in the Hat
A very well-known and loved book character can mean a great costume! Drawing the cat details on your face, and creating a fun hat from some construction paper could be a great start here. Don’t be afraid to check out some local stores to find a fun onesie with a tail! If you can’t locate the right onesie, a black T-shirt with a white circle for the belly works. Pair it with black pants to complete the look. Image courtesy of Mind Over Messy.
Wednesday Addams
The classic Addams family character has been adapted into books and even a Netflix television show! This one is quite popular thanks to the recent series. You’ll need a black dress, braided pigtails, and a frown. These items should be easy to find, and a black wig is nearly always on the shelves around this time. Image courtesy of Live Love Sara.
Paddington
This classic cuddly creature is easy to capture with a few primary colors. A blue coat, a red hat, and yellow boots are what make him so recognizable. If you’re feeling really creative you can attach some fuzzy little ears to the hat! This one is perfect for younger kids and babies. Image courtesy of Megan Nielsen’s blog.
Harry Potter
Thankfully, Harry’s success means you can find merchandise at nearly any big store. Whether you want to represent a certain house from the book series or be a specific character, a Harry Potter costume is easy! For example, you can grab some Gryffindor gear, round glasses, and draw on a lightning bolt to transform into the boy who lived. Image courtesy of See Vanessa Craft.
Captain Underpants
This one isn't just for kids! I’m saying this as a grown adult who would love another grown adult to sport a Captain Underpants costume. For this one you can use any flesh colored clothes, and a red cape. Once you put that underwear on over your pants you’re ready to save the day! This can make for a pretty funny Halloween costume. Image courtesy of Where the Smiles Have Been.
Alice in Wonderland
A true classic in literature and in film! A soft blue and white dress with some stockings can make this one a no-brainer. If you need hair help, try out a blonde wig with a black headband. Bonus? This one is usually stocked on the shelves if you really need to save time. Image courtesy of Melly Sews.
Pippi Longstockings
More wigs! For this spunky character, you can braid two pigtails into a red wig. The fun part is all in the clothing. You can go classic with a blue dress and red and white striped tights, or you can spice it up by giving things a pirate flair. Image courtesy of Crafty Morning.
The best part about this list is the fun of getting it all together. Remember, Halloween costumes from books can mean just about anything! Whatever book you’ve been loving can potentially be the best inspiration. Have fun with it, and don’t let the time crunch suppress your creativity. Happy Halloween, readers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest book characters to dress up as?
Harry Potter, Paddington Bear, and Wednesday Addams are incredible options for an easy costume. Folks typically have items for these at home, and if not they are easy to find in a pinch.
How do I come up with an easy fantasy-book costume?
Think about your favorite characters and how they present themselves. It’s easy to replicate your favorite by finding or making articles of clothing that make them unique!
