Parents and children across the county are set to celebrate World Book Day tomorrow, dressing up as their favourite literary characters.

World Book Day 2021 will be held tomorrow, March 4, and for many parents, the annual event can be an expensive time.

Rather than venturing to buy something online, or in the local supermarket, we've put together a list of 10 DIY costume ideas that will suit every budget.

Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter​ 

  • Simply put pigtails in your child’s hair, dress them in black and draw teardrops on their face using eyeliner or face paints.
  • A pair of glasses will also finish this look off nicely.

Matilda

  • One of Roald Dahl’s most famous and best-loved characters, this is a very easy and effective costume to organise.
  • All you need is a blue dress, a red ribbon for your child's hair and a pile of books.

George from George's Marvellous Medicine

  • This is great if you have a son called George. If not, don’t worry – you can put a name tag on your little one.
  • Then give them a big saucepan (labelled "marvellous medicine") and a wooden spoon. 

Harry Potter

  • Your child can look like the world’s most famous wizard for the day by dressing them in their uniform and using face paints for a scar and glasses.
  • If you have a cape - great. If not, you can fashion one out of a bin bag. Use a twig for a wand and they will be the spitting image of the boy with the scar.

The Boy in the Dress

  • You can easily recreate this look from David Walliams’ heart-warming novel.
  • All you will need is a dress and football, and the look is complete.

Mr Twit

  • Make a "revolting" beard with brown wool of various lengths knotted onto elastic that can fasten around your child’s head.
  • Get your child to draw different foods onto paper, cut them out and stick them onto the beard.
  • To complete the look, have them wear old clothes with splodges of brown paint that looks like dirt. You can even paint their finger and toenails yellow, and have them wear sandals.

Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs

  • This one is for those with children who love dinosaurs. You will need a red top and blue trousers.
  • If your child is already a dinosaur fan, you will likely have plastic dinosaurs at home.
  • Throw some of these in a bucket and the look is complete.

Rainbow Fairy

  • For children who love fairies, you may already have a fairy costume at home.
  • If not, a friend or neighbour may be able to lend one.
  • Round this off with some wings, a wand and some glitter to add some sparkle.

​Gangsta Granny

  • For this look you will need a black eye mask - if you don’t have one you can use face paint or mascara - a ‘granny-style’ cardigan or blouse, a black skirt, old slippers and a pair of tan tights.
  • If you don’t have a grey wig, put some talcum powder in your child's hair. To finish off the look, use a sack that could work as a loot bag

Paddington Bear

  • Finally, this adorable marmalade-loving bear from Peru makes for an easy costume to pull off if you have a few of these items at home.
  • All you will need is a duffel coat, a soft red hat, red welly boots, an old suitcase and a marmalade sandwich.