Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales Costumes

Choosing a character

Nursery rhymes and fairy tales are easy to dress up as. The characters are familiar, the outfits are simple, and most people will guess who you are straight away. They suit a Book Week or World Book Day parade, a party or a school play.

Characters for children

• Little Red Riding Hood: a red hooded cape, a simple dress and a small basket.
• Little Bo Peep: a bonnet, a full skirt with an apron and a shepherd's crook.
• Cinderella: a ball gown, gloves and one glass slipper style shoe.
• Goldilocks: a blue dress, long blonde plaits and a small bowl and spoon.
• Jack (of the beanstalk): a patched waistcoat, rolled up trousers and a bag of "magic beans".

Characters for adults

Adults can take the classics and give them a twist. The Big Bad Wolf needs only ears, a tail and a bit of attitude. Snow White's yellow skirt, blue bodice and red bow are clear from across the room. The Fairy Godmother, the Queen of Hearts and Humpty Dumpty are good choices for groups and couples, since each one is easy to spot.

Finishing touches to make at home

• Paper crown or bow: cut card, decorate it, and fix it to a band or hair clip.
• Props: a cardboard spoon, a basket lined with a tea towel, or a crook made from a garden cane wrapped in paper.

If you use face paint for whiskers or rosy cheeks, do a small skin test first.

Getting the size right

Check the size chart and measure the wearer before you order. Children grow fast, so leave a little room, but not so much that the hem trails on the floor.