If there’s any way to get a teacher excited about Halloween, it’s to gather inspiration from some of the best literary Halloween costumes out there. Whether you’re a dedicated English teacher or just a self-proclaimed “word nerd,” we bet there’s something here to get your creative juices flowing and get you psyched about the impending arrival of one of our favorite holidays—and maybe even educate your students at the same time!
Individual Literary Halloween Costumes for Teachers
Danielle F. for We Are Teachers
Diction-Fairy
Who doesn’t love a good costume pun? Pick up an old dictionary at the thrift store, then use its pages to cover this set of wings from Amazon. Ta-da!
Ms. Lupe Palacios for We Are Teachers
A Book
The teacher who crafted this clever costume notes that it opened up to a short story inside, while the back showcased “reviews” from students. So cool!
Amy B., pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Mo Willems’ Pigeon
Dressing like this beloved mischievous bird is easy with a knit cap from Etsy seller Allie Hats. Attach the sign to a yardstick and stick it in your back pocket, and you’ll have a “caption” all day long!
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Want to make this costume even funnier? Spend the day constantly eating some of the items from the book! Grab the green tutu on Amazon and use your creativity for the rest.
Jen E., middle school ELA teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Girl With the Green Ribbon
Remember that creepy tale from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? She’d never take off her ribbon, and never tell anyone why …
Daletta G. for We Are Teachers
Poison Ivy
Comic books are books too. It’s easy to find artificial ivy strings. Just dress in green, wrap yourself in vines, and you’ve transformed into the classic comic book character!
J. Douglas, 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
This idea comes together in a snap with a pair of overalls and some mouse ears. Use cardboard to make a big cookie, and you’re good to go.
Heather Q., 8th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Holly Golightly
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn for this costume based on the movie version of Capote’s classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Amy B., pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Pete the Cat
Add big colorful buttons to a yellow shirt, add some cat ears, and you’ve got a Pete the Cat costume! If you can do the different-colored sneakers, even better.
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
A Bad Case of the Stripes
Kids will adore this super-colorful costume. If you don’t want to paint your arms and legs with face paint, you can buy striped leggings and a striped long-sleeve shirt instead.
Sarah A., 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Fly Guy
Those fly eyes made from paper plates are totally cute and easy enough for any teacher to make. You can also make your own wings, or pick up a pair on Amazon.
Lisa Jacobs for We Are Teachers
Phileas Fogg
If you really love putting effort into your costumes, take inspiration from this incredible Around the World in 80 Days costume. A giant beach ball balanced in a Hula-Hoop forms the “balloon,” and a pair of steampunk goggles adds an authentic touch.
Amy, pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Super Reader
Readers are the real superheroes! Make a cape from old book pages, or buy some book-printed fabric instead.
Brooke Reynolds, 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Pinkalicious
Is it possible to like the color pink too much? Nah, of course not! Here’s the pink boa and tutu you need for this costume from Amazon.
Presley, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Ms. Frizzle
This is one of those teacher Halloween costumes that’s become a perennial favorite. Don’t forget to attach a stuffed lizard pal to your shoulder!
Morgan M., 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Grumpy Librarian
Today’s librarians are nothing like the stern, grumpy book guardians of days gone by. That makes it fun to dress as one of them for a day! Don’t forget the reading glasses on a chain for a finishing touch.
Brianna Sayegh, high school teacher, for We Are Teachers
Where’s Waldo?
This one works as a solo costume or one for you and your teacher BFF. Wear your own striped shirt, or buy a Waldo costume on Amazon.
Group Literary Halloween Costumes for Teachers
Katarina Lupson, 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Grammar Police
Stop in the name of the Oxford comma! Don’t try to get away with any double negatives, either.
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
The Magic School Bus
Where would Ms. Frizzle be without the rest of the gang? Extra points if you can convince someone to dress up as the bus itself.
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
Junie B. Jones
This childhood favorite has been through dozens of adventures and looks a little different each time. That makes this a fantastic group costume, with each teacher dressing as their own version of Junie.
Kaitlyn H., kindergarten, ESL, for We Are Teachers
Party Animals
Mix animal costumes with birthday hats and noisemakers, and you’ve got the whole cast of characters from Tara Lazar’s adorable book!
Brittany G., 3rd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The colorful tutus are fun, but it’s those headbands that really make this teacher team costume pop!
Amy, pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Melanie Nielsen, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Frog and Toad
This is an amazing costume idea for two teacher besties. They’re friends forever, just like Frog and Toad!
Brittany G., 3rd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Charlotte’s Web
Want something the entire school can get in on? Try the farm animals and other characters from Charlotte’s Web!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Laura Numeroff Characters
If you give a teacher a Laura Numeroff book, they’ll turn it into a Halloween costume! Each teacher can pick their own favorite.
Hilary Statum, kindergarten teacher, for We Are Teachers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
How cute is this idea? Brown overalls covered in letters of the alphabet topped with palm leaves and coconuts make an easy costume that works for groups or individuals.
Brooke B., 4th grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Winnie-the-Pooh
You can go all out with Pooh-themed costumes, but you don’t need to. These simple T-shirts and headbands get the idea across perfectly, and are much more practical.
Willa Barron, 8th grade ELA teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Bad Seed
Pick up some big sheets of poster board and create your own costumes for the characters from the popular picture book series. These kids made their teacher be the Bad Seed!
Hilary Statum, kindergarten teacher, for We Are Teachers
Room on the Broom
This book is absolutely perfect for group teacher Halloween costumes. We especially love the teacher dressed as the broom itself!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Avengers
We all know teachers are superheroes, so this comic book group costume seems especially appropriate.
Amy, pre-K–6 librarian, for We Are Teachers
Seuss Characters
Every kid knows their Dr. Seuss characters, and the huge array of books gives you so many to choose from. Try this Cat in the Hat accessory set for an easy idea.
Stephanie Sanders, 2nd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
The Day the Crayons Quit
Crayon costumes are always a hit, and you can even theme them to the popular book. Birthday hats in multiple colors make perfect toppers.
Brittany G., 3rd grade teacher, for We Are Teachers
Wizard of Oz
This group costume idea is always a lot of fun, and there are lots of characters available for big teams.
If you liked these literary Halloween costumes, check out more of our favorite Teacher Halloween Costumes.
Have you worn literary Halloween costumes not included on this list? Come and share pictures in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
