Dress Up Sustainably: How to Run a World Book Day Costume Swap

Last year, I organised a Halloween costume swap at my kids’ primary school. The swap was an idea from our pupil-led Eco Council. Not only was it a fantastic way for our school community to reduce waste and encourage sharing, but I also wanted to show the Eco Council that we could bring their ideas to life.

The swap was a success, with many children benefiting from a ‘new’ costume for Halloween. Since we have run a Christmas Jumper Swap and now a costume swap for World Book Day in March.

Why Swapping Costumes Is a Great Idea

World Book Day is a fantastic celebration of reading and imagination, but it can also put pressure on families to buy new costumes every year. Many shop-bought costumes are only worn once and then discarded, contributing to textile waste. In addition, a large proportion of mass-produced costumes are made from synthetic materials, which contribute to plastic pollution and microfibre shedding.

By swapping costumes instead of buying new, families can save money while reducing waste and carbon emissions associated with textile production. It’s also an opportunity to encourage creativity - accessories are a really easy way to transform everyday clothes into a book character outfit! Whether it’s a simple hat, glasses, a scarf, or a prop, small additions can bring a favourite character to life without the need for a full costume. Here's my son with homemade wings to become Norman from Tom Percival's Perfectly Norman.

Clothes swaps are already popular among schools and community groups, and are a great way for children to see us making more sustainable choices. Whether it’s swapping school uniforms, fancy dress costumes, or party outfits, these events provide an affordable way for families to access needed items while also serving as effective fundraisers for schools and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs).

How to Organise a World Book Day Costume Swap

We’ve decided to swap both full costumes and accessories this year, but you could also include themed clothing, such as capes, hats, and character-themed tops.

There are a few different ways to organise the swap:

• True Swap Model: Children bring an item and exchange it for another. This can be managed with a token system or a live event where items are swapped directly. However, this model may exclude children who don’t have an item to contribute.

  
  

• Donation Model (Our Approach): We’ve opted for a donation-based model again following the success of our Halloween swap. For two weeks, a donation box will be placed in the school office where parents and children can drop off unwanted costumes and accessories. These donations will be checked, sorted by size and theme, and prepped for the swap. We ask that costumes are cleaned before donation, though minor repairs are okay.

  
  

During the week before World Book Day, the PTA will host a pop-up stall in the playground at school pick-up time, where children can choose a "new-to-them" costume in exchange for an optional donation to the PTA. We plan to hold the stall every day for a week to ensure as many families as possible can participate. Any leftover costumes will likely be offered to the wider community via our local swap group or the Olio app.

Getting Started: Roles You’ll Need

To successfully organise a costume swap, you’ll need a few key people to help. Here are some suggested volunteer roles:

• Communication Lead: This person will handle promoting the swap to the school community through posters, class WhatsApp groups, the school newsletter, and noticeboards. In my case, the children from the Eco Council have also designed posters to display in their classrooms. You could also ask to speak at a school assembly to help children understand the environmental benefits of holding a swap.
  

• Donation Sorter: A dedicated volunteer (or, even better, volunteers!) will be needed to check and organise the costume donations. Ideally, one person in the group should be able to make small repairs if necessary, ensuring the costumes are in good condition for swapping.
  

• Pop-up Stall Volunteers: You’ll need a team to run the pop-up stall, displaying donations and helping children pick out costumes and accessories.

I've created a free Canva template for posters to help you promote the swap. It includes a label to go on the donation collection bin.

Equipment for Organising a Successful Swap

Here’s a list of basic equipment and supplies you’ll need to organise a World Book Day Costume Swap:

• Donation Collection Box: Place this in an easily accessible location at the school, such as near the drop-off area or in the school office. Clearly label it with a sign like "World Book Day Costume Donations Here" to avoid confusion. You may also want to include donation guidelines to ensure the items are appropriate for swapping.
  

• Sorting Bags or Boxes: After collecting donations, volunteers will need bags or boxes to organise the items by size and theme. It may be helpful to have basic cleaning tools like lint rollers or fabric de-pillers on hand, as well as a sewing kit for minor repairs. Having someone prepared to wash items if needed is also recommended.
  

• Pop-up Stall Display Equipment: To attract interest in the pop-up stall, especially from those who may not regularly buy secondhand items, display costumes neatly on clothes rails or hanging racks. If the school has organised secondhand uniform sales, they may have some already, otherwise it may be possible to borrow some from someone in the local community. Adding size labels can make it easier for people to find the right fit. A table is also useful for laying out more items. It might also be nice to put up a few decorations, such as bunting, and ask those running a stall to consider wearing a book-themed outfit or headpiece to get everyone into the World Book Day spirit!

Inspiration for World Book Day

By organising a World Book Day costume swap, you’re not only helping families save money but also reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. And remember—you don’t need to buy anything new! A bit of cardboard, a few accessories, and some creativity can turn everyday clothes into an amazing book character costume. Let’s make dressing up fun, simple, and sustainable!