Discover World Book Day Outfits at Queensgate Shopping Centre

Thursday 6 March. Parents, it’s that time of the year when you proudly dress your little one as their book hero and they parade around the playground while you gleefully clap in arctic conditions.

That’s right, World Book Day 2025 is here again. On Thursday 6 March. Queensgate is a great destination for families looking to bring stories to life and unleash their imaginations.

On this day, visitors and their children can enjoy a story from a local author in the reading garden – see socials for more details.

Back to business…there are some great costumes to choose from in Queensgate; from an astronaut in H&M to a magical Unicorn in Primark, however, it’s just as fun to create a costume from something you already have in your wardrobe. Here are some ideas:

1. Wizard Robes from Old T-Shirts or Dresses

Book Inspiration: Harry Potter or The Worst Witch.

How-To: Use an oversized black T-shirt, dress, or robe as the base. Cut the hem or sleeves for a ragged look. Add a paper or fabric emblem to the chest to represent a magical school. Create a wand using a chopstick wrapped in foil or painted.

2. Animal Costumes from Sweaters or Hoodies

Book Inspiration: The Gruffalo, Peter Rabbit, or The Jungle Book.

How-To: Repurpose an old hoodie to match the animal’s colour. Attach fabric scraps or felt for ears, tails, or whiskers. For example, a brown hoodie can become a Gruffalo with cardboard horns and felt eyes glued on the hood.

3. Pirate Outfit from Jeans and Striped Shirts

Book Inspiration: Treasure Island.

How-To: Cut old jeans into jagged shorts. Pair them with a striped T-shirt or blouse. Add a sash made from a scarf or tie and create an eye patch from felt or cardboard. Use costume jewellery for pirate bling.

4. Princess or Prince Attire from Old Skirts or Shirts

Book Inspiration: Cinderella or The Prince and the Pauper.

How-To: Turn an old skirt into a royal gown by layering with tulle or scarves. Add a sash or ribbon belt for detail. For princes, use a collared shirt and an old jacket, embellishing with buttons, gold tape, or brooches for a regal touch.

5. Superhero Cape from Old Bedsheets or T-Shirts

Book Inspiration: The Incredibles or Captain Underpants.

How-To: Cut an old T-shirt or sheet into a cape shape. Decorate with fabric markers or sew on a logo made from scrap fabric. Pair with leggings or shorts, and add gloves or socks for hero accessories.

These ideas focus on using items parents likely already have at home, making costumes affordable, sustainable, and fun to create!

As well as clothes, the rubbish we throw away can provide much inspiration for costumes, props or just good fun, plus it helps little ones think differently about recycling. Maybe try these ideas:

5 Free Craft Ideas Using Recycled Packaging from Queensgate Retailers:

1. Treasure Map from Paper Bags: Turn a paper shopping bag into a weathered treasure map. Tear, crumple, and colour it with tea or coffee for an aged effect. Add landmarks inspired by pirate tales.
2. Fairy Wings from Cardboard Boxes: Use cardboard packaging to cut out wing shapes. Decorate with tissue paper, wrapping paper scraps, or old stickers for a magical touch.
3. Dragon Masks from boxes: Create masks using packaging or boxes, cutting out shapes for the face and decorating with paint, markers, or leftover craft supplies.
4. Storybook Dioramas from Shoe Boxes: Transform a shoebox into a miniature scene from a favourite book using paper scraps, toy figures, or packaging materials like bubble wrap and ribbons.
5. Wizard Wands from Christmas Gift Wrapping Tubes: Wrap tubes with foil or coloured paper, adding details like stars or glitter. Use chopsticks or pencils as the wand's core for added sturdiness.

This World Book Day, Queensgate Shopping Centre is your go-to hub for family-friendly fun, sustainable crafting, and creative connections between parents, children, and local retailers. Celebrate the magic of books while reducing waste and fostering imagination!

Don’t forget:

The Honesty Library at Queensgate offers a wonderful way to celebrate World Book Day, encouraging families to exchange stories and explore new adventures together while fostering a community spirit and love for reading.