UK- how does your child’s school do World Book Day?

They do a weeklong celebration with a variety of activities such as: wacky hair day, bringing a stuffy day, hat day, character dress up day, color day (each grade or class will have a color to wear,) and then usually a small party with snacks or an activity like visiting the library, a play, etc.

Same as yours, and we always opt for the pjs.

Whatever suits you best. If you want to dress them in costume the. Dress them in costume, but just understand that to some it is not an affordable option so the school would make pyjamas an option since everyone already have pyjamas (some might just be simple top and pants). It doesn’t have to be enforced that all children must dress up, even as an adult I don’t particularly want to dress up, for example, Halloween, either.

Character costumes for my daughter’s school. Can’t stand it, just feels like more admin to keep on top of and shit to buy! My friend’s daughter’s school they’re doing costumes - BUT they have to be handmade! 🥴 The school mentioned in the newsletter no store bought costumes allowed!

Infants do dress up and Juniors do a book exchange.

@Neena that is absolutely ridiculous!! Do they think people have time to make costumes??!?

Pyjamas, to keep costs down and ensure no one is excluded x

Daughters school do “whatever the children are comfortable in” I think it’s great that there is less pressure on parents finding costumes for world book day. I feel like it’s more inclusive for children who’s parents might not be able to go out and find a costume for them x

Pyjamas this year but last year they had to dress up as where’s wally. They have done costumes previously.

@Minna d’ya know what I’m saying!! I was like FUCK THAT! 🤣 Apparently the mums are quite competitive though and it’s an affluent area so go figure. Last year’s reception winner was a kid in ‘Around the world in 80 days’ Phileas Fogg costume - the mum made the massive balloon out of paper mache and carefully constructed it, handwoven the basket thing, used actual sandbags, went to Wickes and got specifically measured wood bits to hold up the balloons, like it was insane! If you’re a SAHM arts n craft type mum you’d be in your element, but sorry I’m knackered after work, who has the time or energy, not me that’s for sure! I’ve literally just Amazon Primed a cape and eye mask, my daughter is going as Superkitty from the book she reads. That’s all they’re getting this year, lucky I even remembered lol

So not school still nursery, I was advised a month in advance that they were “encouraging” costumes and to bring the book. So I ended up buying a gruffalo jumper and a Paddington dungaree outfit for my 2 children (2&1) they can rewear them as they aren’t costumes (was my thinking!) and I sent them both in with a gruffalo and Paddington book. I’ve not had the books back at pick up today, which I thought would be the case and I’m not really bothered about it but to ask for a dress up and a book to be brought in overall cost is more than their daily costs for one of my children 🤦🏼‍♀️ they shouldn’t ask so much of parents, there are cheaper ways to commemorate occasions. I try to do minimal and use/reuse what we already have but god help me in a few years when they’re at school!!

My daughters gone secondary now but last year they didn’t do it or the last few since Covid to stop parents complaining how much it cost if they can’t afford it etc, even Red Nose Day etc. At first I was like what? But then I thought actually it takes so much pressure off as I hated those days haha

My son goes to a school nursery, and they had the theme "bed time stories" so the whole school had to wear pj's and bring there favourite book. Not gona lie it's so much easier than having to buy a costume that he was only gona wear for a couple of hours

@Zoey I love this! So much less stress for parents, the kids would still love it and it seems like more emphasis on the whole idea of book day which is to enjoy books.

@Neena this is what bugged me, the school put a notice out saying if you can’t afford a costume then you can make one. Like that’s so easy?! That requires time, energy, the materials.

@Lisa it is, he's only 2 so didn't understand what is was anyway, but he thought I'd lost the plot when getting him to go out in his pj's, he said "mummy I'm not ready" 🤣