Book Week 'Book an Adventure'
Embark on an Adventure Through Storytelling – Book Week 2025 Costumes
This year, we’re celebrating the power of stories to ignite imagination, spark curiosity, and take readers on unforgettable journeys. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has chosen the exciting theme ‘Book an Adventure’ for Book Week 2025, running from 16th to 23rd August. At Cracker Jack Costumes, we’re proud to help bring these stories to life with a wide range of costumes perfect for every explorer, hero, and dreamer.
Reading opens the door to incredible adventures – from enchanted forests and faraway kingdoms to time-travel missions and outer space quests. It encourages kids to dive into new perspectives, build confidence, and discover who they are through the characters they meet. Book Week is more than a dress-up day – it’s a celebration of creativity, discovery, and the magic of reading.
Magical Book Week Costume Ideas
At Cracker Jack Costumes, we believe in making Book Week as magical and memorable as possible. Our extensive collection of costumes ensures that everyone can find their perfect character to bring to life. Here are some enchanting ideas to inspire you:
Wizard of Oz: Transport your child to the magical land of Oz with costumes of beloved characters. They can embody Dorothy with her iconic blue gingham dress and ruby slippers, or become the charming Scarecrow, ever in search of a brain. Perhaps they prefer the heart-seeking Tin Man with his shining metallic appearance, or the endearing Cowardly Lion, bravely confronting his fears. Each costume brings the enchanting world of Oz to life.
Alice in Wonderland: Let your child tumble down the rabbit hole into the whimsical world of Wonderland. They can step into the shoes of Alice, exploring in her classic blue dress and white apron. For those who love a bit of madness, the eccentric Mad Hatter with his flamboyant hat and quirky attire is a perfect choice. Alternatively, they can rule with an iron fist as the formidable Queen of Hearts, complete with her heart-themed regalia. Each character offers a fantastical adventure.
Harry Potter: Embrace the enchanting world of witchcraft and wizardry with a variety of beloved characters. They can don the iconic glasses and lightning scar as Harry Potter, wielding his trusty wand. For a touch of brilliance, they might prefer to be Hermione Granger, the cleverest witch of her age, with her school robes and spell books. Even the loyal house-elf Dobby, with his mismatched socks and endearing demeanour, offers a unique and heart warming costume choice. Every character opens a door to the magical universe of Hogwarts.
Magical and Mythical Creatures: Ignite their imagination with a spectrum of enchanting beings. They can become a graceful unicorn with shimmering horns and flowing manes, or a delicate fairy with ethereal wings and glittering dresses. Mermaids with their iridescent tails and oceanic allure offer a dive into the deep blue sea, while mighty dragons, with their fearsome scales and wings, let them unleash their inner fire. These costumes bring a touch of magic and mythology to their playtime adventures.
For those who prefer classic literary characters, we have costumes for:
Matilda: Celebrate the clever and brave heroine of Roald Dahl’s beloved story with a costume that embodies Matilda's intelligence and courage. Your child can wear her signature blue dress, complete with a red ribbon in her hair, ready to take on the world with a book in hand and a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
Roald Dahl Characters: Dive into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl with a variety of iconic characters. Your child can become Charlie Bucket, the humble and kind-hearted boy from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," with his golden ticket and worn-out clothes. Alternatively, they might choose to be the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), with his oversized ears and gentle demeanour, ready to catch dreams and protect the little ones. Each costume brings to life the imaginative tales of Roald Dahl.
Princesses: Step into a royal adventure with our enchanting princess costumes. Whether it’s Cinderella in her sparkling ball gown and glass slippers, Belle in her golden dress and love for books, or Ariel with her mermaid tail and curiosity for the human world, each costume transforms your child into a beloved princess. Perfect for a day of magical escapades and fairy tale dreams.
And let’s not forget the adventurous and action-packed options:
Pirates: Set sail on a high-seas adventure with our pirate costumes. Your child can become a daring pirate captain, complete with a tricorn hat, eye patch, and a trusty cutlass, ready to search for hidden treasures and outsmart rival crews. From rugged buccaneers to swashbuckling sea rovers, these costumes bring the world of piracy to life.
Star Wars: Join the epic battle between the light and dark sides of the Force with our Star Wars costumes. They can become the heroic Luke Skywalker, wielding a lightsabre and dressed in Jedi robes, or embody the bravery and leadership of Princess Leia with her iconic white gown and signature hairstyle. For those drawn to the dark side, the imposing Darth Vader costume, complete with his black armour and helmet, offers a thrilling transformation. Each costume invites your child to explore a galaxy far, far away.
Ninjas: Step into the world of stealth and skill with our ninja costumes. Your child can become a master of martial arts, dressed in sleek, black attire with a hood and mask to stay hidden in the shadows. Equipped with toy weapons like shuriken's and katanas, they’ll be ready to embark on secret missions and showcase their agility and precision. These costumes bring the mystery and excitement of ninja warriors to life.
Everything You Need for Book Week
Cracker Jack Costumes has everything you need to make this Book Week truly magical. From head-to-toe outfits to accessories that complete the look, our range ensures that your child will stand out and shine. We offer high-quality, comfortable costumes that allow kids to fully immerse themselves in their chosen characters.
Whether your child is dressing as a fairy, pirate, wizard, ninja, or classic book character, we have costumes to match every story. Shop online or visit us in-store in Brisbane to find the perfect fit for this year’s adventure.
FAQ's
What is the Book Week theme for 2025?
The Children’s Book Council of Australia has unveiled “Book an Adventure!” as the official theme for Book Week 2025 — a call for students to treat every story like a gateway to new worlds. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of Book Week, with festivities running nationwide from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August. Schools, libraries, and families are already preparing displays, reading challenges, and costume parades that bring this adventurous theme to life.
What is the best thing to dress up as for Book Week?
The best costume is the one that brings your child joy, simple as that. Characters that spark curiosity, adventure, or imagination are perfect fits for 2025's “Book an Adventure!” theme.
Costumes like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz are a beautiful nod to classic storytelling — her iconic blue gingham dress, red shoes, and plaited hair make her instantly recognisable. Willy Wonka, with his whimsical top hat, colourful coat and love of chocolate-fuelled invention, is another standout that captures the wonder of literary adventure.
The Harry Potter universe remains a firm favourite, offering endless creative possibilities — from Hogwarts robes to characters like Luna Lovegood or Professor McGonagall. And let’s not forget pirates! With striped shirts, toy parrots and eye patches, they're not only easy to assemble but fit the adventure theme perfectly.
What is the easiest book character to dress up as?
When time is short or the calendar sneaks up on you, go for simple characters with bold, recognisable features. Where’s Wally continues to top the list of last-minute legends — all you need is a red-and-white striped top, blue pants and round glasses.
The Cat in the Hat from Dr Seuss is another quick win — add a tall red-striped hat, a black outfit, and a drawn-on nose and whiskers, and you're ready for parade day!
Planning ahead adds to the fun
Getting ready for Book Week builds excitement and gives children a chance to connect more deeply with the stories they love. Whether they’re charting unknown lands, exploring magical factories, or skipping down a yellow brick road, a thoughtfully chosen costume can help bring the “Book an Adventure!” theme to life.
Browse our full Book Week range online to discover costumes, accessories, and inspiration for imaginations big and small.