Character Day Ideas for Spirit Week

Press Pick 5 new characters and read what to wear and what to carry for each.

The Shoemaker and His Night ElvesWear: an apron for the shoemaker and pointed paper hats for the elves. Carry: one old shoe each.
The Ugly Duckling, Turning SwanWear: a gray hoodie zipped over a white shirt. Unzip it after lunch.
Jack Be Nimble, Over the CandlestickWear: play clothes you can jump in. Carry: a paper candlestick to hop over at recess.
A Dragon Tamer With a Sock DragonWear: boots, a belt and a vest. Carry: a dragon made from a green sock with paper wings.
The Mouse That Ran Up the ClockWear: gray, with round paper ears and a yarn tail. Carry: a paper clock with its hands at one.

Next step More ideas for two or three Act the characters out

How it works

These character day ideas for spirit week are book, folk-tale, myth and stock characters, not screen ones, so nothing here needs a licensed costume. Each comes with what to wear and what to carry.

Read the full guide

Find a character you can dress as tonight

Press Pick 5 new characters. The menu under the button keeps one kind, such as nursery rhymes for the youngest grades or pairs and groups for friends. Under More filters, Closet only leaves the characters that need nothing made.

Why the book version

Each named character comes from a tale, a rhyme, a myth or a novel old enough to be in the public domain, and the outfit follows the book where a film changed it. Carry the book and the costume explains itself.

Tips

A paper sign on a string with the character's name settles every hallway guess.
A stock character, such as a detective or a wizard, needs no book and suits a rushed morning.

Questions and answers

What are easy character day ideas for spirit week?

A red hoodie and a basket make Little Red Riding Hood. A long coat and a magnifying glass make Sherlock Holmes. The Narrator of the Story needs only a big open book.

Can I dress as a movie character for character day?

That is for your school to say. This list holds no film, television or video game characters: it keeps to folk tales, myths, nursery rhymes and books in the public domain.

What can a group of friends wear for character day?

Choose Pairs and groups in the menu: the Three Musketeers in matching capes, the Three Bears with three sizes of bowl, or the Town Musicians of Bremen lined up with the tallest at the back.

Which characters need nothing made?

Those marked Closet only, among them Tom Sawyer in rolled-up jeans, Hercules with a yellow towel over one shoulder and Atlas with a globe on his shoulders.

All 98 characters

Storybook and fairy tale 16

Cinderella, Before the Ball Wear: an apron over plain clothes and a scarf over your hair. Carry: a dust brush and one sparkly shoe.
The Frog Prince, Crown and All Wear: green from head to toe and a paper crown. Carry: a yellow ball.
The Gingerbread Man, on the Run Wear: tan or brown clothes with icing lines of white tape down each sleeve and a red paper bow tie.
Goldilocks, the Porridge Taster Wear: yellow ribbons or a yellow hat, and a blue top. Carry: a bowl and a spoon.
Henny Penny, Sure the Sky Is Falling Wear: yellow or white, with a paper beak on the brim of a cap. Carry: one acorn.
Jack, Who Climbed the Beanstalk Wear: a plain shirt and rolled-up pants. Carry: a vine of green yarn with paper leaves, and five dried beans.
The Little Red Hen, With Her Bread Wear: a red top and an apron. Carry: a bag of flour or a loaf, and a few stalks of dried grass.
Little Red Riding Hood, on the Way to Grandmother's Wear: anything red with a hood, pulled up. Carry: a basket with a napkin tucked over it.
The Pied Piper, in Two Colors Wear: one bright color on top and another below, and a hat with a feather. Carry: a recorder or a whistle.
The Princess Who Felt the Pea Wear: pajamas or a nightgown and a paper crown. Carry: a pillow and one green bead.
Puss in Boots, the Clever Cat Wear: cat ears on a headband, tall boots and a belt. Carry: a cloth sack.
Rapunzel, at the Tower Window Wear: a long braid of yellow yarn pinned to a headband, and a long skirt or dress.
Rumpelstiltskin, Spinner of Gold Wear: a vest and a knit cap pulled to a point. Carry: a handful of yellow yarn as straw and a gold ribbon.
The Snow Queen, in White and Silver Wear: white and silver, with a paper crown cut into icicle points and a white scarf as a cloak.
Thumbelina, Afloat on a Lily Pad Wear: flowered clothes and a flower in your hair. Carry: one very large paper lily pad.
The Ugly Duckling, Turning Swan Wear: a gray hoodie zipped over a white shirt. Unzip it after lunch.

Classic novels 21

Alice, Down the Rabbit Hole Wear: a blue dress or top, a white apron and a black headband. Carry: a small bottle with a paper tag that says Drink me.
The Cheshire Cat and Its Grin Wear: stripes and cat ears. Carry: a wide paper grin on a craft stick, to hold up and take away.
The Cowardly Lion of Oz Wear: tan or yellow, with a mane of yarn strands pinned to the edge of a hood. Carry: a paper sign that says Courage wanted.
Dorothy, on the Yellow Brick Road Wear: a blue and white checked dress or shirt, and silver shoes made by wrapping old sneakers in foil. Carry: a basket with a small toy dog.
Gulliver, Tied Down by Tiny People Wear: a long coat with lengths of string taped across it. Carry: a few toy figures as the tiny people.
The Hatter From the Tea Party Wear: a tall hat with a paper price ticket in the band, and a big bow tie. Carry: a teacup. Many readers call him the Mad Hatter.
Jim Hawkins, With the Treasure Map Wear: a loose white shirt, a vest and rolled-up pants. Carry: a rolled paper map with an X on it.
Jo March, the Writer of the Family Wear: a long skirt and a blouse with the sleeves pushed up. Carry: a notebook and a pen, and keep one finger marked with ink.
Mary Lennox, Finder of the Secret Garden Wear: a coat and a hat. Carry: an old key on a ribbon and a packet of seeds.
Mr. Toad, the Motorist Wear: green, a flat cap, a scarf and goggles pushed up on your forehead. Carry: a paper-plate steering wheel.
Peter Pan, the Boy Who Flies Wear: green, with paper leaves pinned all over. Pin a paper shadow to one heel.
Phileas Fogg, Around the World Wear: a suit jacket and a hat. Carry: a travel bag, a watch and a folded map.
Pinocchio, the Wooden Puppet Wear: a jacket of flowered wrapping paper over your clothes and a small paper cap. Carry: an A-B-C book.
Puck, the Mischievous Sprite Wear: green and brown, with paper leaves in your hair. From a play, so carry the script.
The Queen of Hearts, From Wonderland Wear: red and black with paper hearts pinned on, and a paper crown. Carry: a playing card from the heart suit.
The Scarecrow of Oz Wear: a flannel shirt, an old hat and yellow yarn tucked into the cuffs and collar as straw.
Sherlock Holmes, the Consulting Detective Wear: a long coat, a scarf and a cap with the brim pulled down. Carry: a magnifying glass, and tell each person where they have just been.
The Tin Woodman of Oz Wear: gray from head to toe and a pointed hat rolled from foil. Carry: a red paper heart.
Tom Sawyer, Painting the Fence Wear: rolled-up jeans, a straw hat and suspenders. Carry: a paintbrush and a small pail.
The Velveteen Rabbit Wear: soft brown or tan clothes and rabbit ears lined with pink paper.
The White Rabbit, Late Again Wear: white clothes, rabbit ears and a vest. Carry: a paper pocket watch on a string.

Myths and legends 16

Athena, Goddess of Wisdom Wear: white, with a scarf draped over one shoulder and a paper owl perched there. Carry: a book.
Atlas, Who Holds Up the Sky Wear: anything plain. Carry: a globe or a big ball on your shoulders, and set it down with a sigh.
Hercules, Hero of the Twelve Labors Wear: a plain tee with a yellow towel over one shoulder as the lion skin. Carry: a to-do list of twelve chores.
Hermes, Messenger of the Gods Wear: paper wings taped to your sneakers and your cap. Carry: a stack of envelopes to deliver.
Icarus, With Wings of Wax Wear: cardboard wings covered in paper feathers, on shoulder straps of string. Carry: a paper sun.
Jack Frost, Bringer of Winter Wear: icy blue and gray, with paper icicles along your sleeves and frost patterns drawn on paper cuffs.
King Arthur of the Round Table Wear: a paper crown and a blanket cape. Carry: a round paper plate with your knights' names written along the rim.
King Midas and the Golden Touch Wear: everything yellow or gold you own and one yellow glove. Carry: a yellow apple.
Maid Marian of Sherwood Forest Wear: a long skirt or dress, a scarf as a cloak and a crown of paper flowers.
Medusa, With Snakes for Hair Wear: green, with pipe-cleaner snakes twisted into your hair, and sunglasses so that nobody turns to stone.
Merlin, the Court Wizard Wear: a bathrobe with a rope belt and a paper beard. Carry: the oldest-looking book you own.
Mother Nature, in Leaves and Flowers Wear: greens and browns, with real or paper leaves and flowers pinned all over.
Pandora, Keeper of the Box Wear: a long skirt or a draped scarf. Carry: a decorated shoebox tied shut with ribbon.
Paul Bunyan, the Giant Lumberjack Wear: a flannel shirt, suspenders, boots and a knit cap. Carry: a blue stuffed animal as the ox.
Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest Wear: a green top, a brown belt and a cap with a feather. Carry: a cloth pouch tied to your belt.
The Tooth Fairy, on Her Rounds Wear: white or pastel clothes and paper wings. Carry: a small pouch and one big paper tooth.

Nursery rhymes 14

The Black Sheep, With Three Bags Full Wear: a black hoodie with cotton balls pinned to the hood. Carry: three small paper bags.
The Cow That Jumped Over the Moon Wear: black and white, with a paper bell on a ribbon at your neck. Carry: a paper crescent moon to step over.
Humpty Dumpty, Up on the Wall Wear: a white top and a paper belt drawn as a brick wall. Carry: a paper crack to tape on after recess.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Up the Spout Wear: black, with four stuffed socks pinned to your sides as extra legs. Carry: a closed umbrella.
Jack Be Nimble, Over the Candlestick Wear: play clothes you can jump in. Carry: a paper candlestick to hop over at recess.
Little Boy Blue, With His Horn Wear: blue from hat to socks. Carry: a horn rolled from paper.
Little Jack Horner, in the Corner Wear: your neatest clothes. Carry: a pie tin, and wear a purple paper plum on one thumb.
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, in Her Garden Wear: a sun hat and gardening gloves. Carry: a watering can with paper bells and shells tied on.
Mary, With Her Little Lamb Wear: a dress or a skirt and a school bag. Carry: a toy lamb that follows you to school.
The Mouse That Ran Up the Clock Wear: gray, with round paper ears and a yarn tail. Carry: a paper clock with its hands at one.
The Muffin Man, With His Tray Wear: an apron and a paper baker's hat. Carry: a tray of paper muffins.
Old Mother Hubbard at the Cupboard Wear: an apron and a shawl. Carry: an empty box as the bare cupboard and a toy dog.
The Twinkling Little Star Wear: yellow, with a big paper star on your front and small ones in your hair.
Wee Willie Winkie, in His Nightgown Wear: pajamas or a long nightshirt and a nightcap. Carry: a battery candle.

Stock characters 18

A Court Jester With Bells Wear: two bright colors, one on each side, and a paper hat with points. Carry: three rolled socks to juggle.
A Cowhand Off the Range Wear: a plaid shirt, a vest, jeans and a neckerchief. Carry: a jump rope coiled as a lasso.
A Detective on the Case Wear: a raincoat buttoned to the chin and a hat pulled low. Carry: a notebook, and dust everything for prints with a makeup brush.
A Dragon Tamer With a Sock Dragon Wear: boots, a belt and a vest. Carry: a dragon made from a green sock with paper wings.
A Fairy Godmother With a Star Wear: a shawl, a long skirt and a paper star taped to a ruler. Grant three small wishes during the day.
A Garden Gnome From the Flower Bed Wear: a tall red paper hat, a blue top and boots. Stand very still whenever someone looks.
A Knight With a Painted Shield Wear: gray clothes and a foil-covered cap. Carry: a cardboard shield with a coat of arms you designed.
A Mad Scientist Fresh From the Lab Wear: a white shirt buttoned wrong, one glove and hair pointing every way. Carry: a plastic bottle of colored water and a notebook of wild plans.
A Pirate With a Treasure Map Wear: a striped top, rolled pant legs and a bandana knotted at the back. Carry: a rolled paper map and a paper parrot for your shoulder.
A Robot Built From Boxes Wear: gray clothes under a cardboard box with dials and buttons drawn on. Walk in straight lines.
A Sea Captain With a Spyglass Wear: a navy jacket and a cap. Carry: a spyglass made from a cardboard tube.
A Stage Magician With a Top Hat Wear: dark clothes and a paper top hat. Carry: a stuffed rabbit and a deck of cards.
A Storybook King or Queen Wear: a paper crown with jewels drawn on, a bedsheet robe and every necklace in the house.
A Superhero of Your Own Invention Wear: two colors only, an emblem of your own cut from paper and a belt worn on the outside. Tell people your one odd power.
A Wizard in a Star Hat Wear: a big dark coat or a robe and a paper cone hat covered in stars. Carry: a book of spells you wrote yourself.
An Astronaut Back From Orbit Wear: white or silver clothes with paper mission patches. Carry: a bike helmet under one arm.
An Explorer With a Compass Wear: tan clothes, boots and a hat with a brim. Carry: a compass if the house has one, and a journal.
The Narrator of the Story Wear: ordinary clothes. Carry: a big open book, and describe out loud what everyone near you is doing.

Pairs and groups 13

The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick Maker Wear: three aprons. Carry: a paper chop, a loaf and a candle, and stand in one cardboard-box tub.
The Fox and the Crow, With the Cheese Wear: orange with a paper tail for the fox, black with a paper beak on a cap for the crow. Carry: a paper wedge of cheese.
The King, Queen and Knave of Hearts Wear: red, with a big paper heart each and paper crowns for two. The Knave holds a plate of tarts cut from paper.
The March Sisters, All Four Wear: long skirts and blouses. Carry: a notebook for Jo, sheet music for Beth and a paintbrush for Amy, while Meg keeps the other three in line.
The Shoemaker and His Night Elves Wear: an apron for the shoemaker and pointed paper hats for the elves. Carry: one old shoe each.
The Three Bears and Their Bowls Wear: brown, with round paper ears. Carry: a big bowl, a middle-sized bowl and a small bowl.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff Wear: white or gray, with paper horns on headbands. Stand in order of height when you cross a doorway.
The Three Little Pigs and Their Houses Wear: pink, with paper ears. Carry: one handful of straw-colored yarn, one bundle of sticks and one toy brick.
The Three Musketeers, in Step Wear: matching hats with a paper feather each and capes cut from one old blue sheet. All three walk in step.
The Town Musicians of Bremen Wear: ears for a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster's paper comb. Stand one behind the other, tallest at the back.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses Wear: paper crowns and your most worn-out shoes. Any number from two to twelve will do.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Wear: brown with two white paper tusks pinned to a scarf for one, and an apron with a paper hat for the other. Carry: a paper oyster.
Wynken, Blynken and Nod Wear: pajamas and nightcaps, all three. Carry: one paper shoe-boat and a net made from a mesh bag.

How this list was compiled

The outfits are the Game Night Generator editors' own suggestions, written on 2026-10-03 for a school character day: 98 characters from folk tales, nursery rhymes, myths and books old enough to be in the public domain in the United States, plus stock characters that belong to nobody. No film, television, comic or video game character is listed, and where a later screen version changed a look, the line follows the book: Dorothy's shoes are silver, as in L. Frank Baum's 1900 text (Project Gutenberg, https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55, read 2026-10-03), and Pinocchio wears the suit of flowered paper and carries the A-B-C book of Carlo Collodi's story (Project Gutenberg, https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/500, read 2026-10-03). Each named character's story and first publication were checked on 2026-10-03 in its English Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0); the address is kept with each entry. No costume needs a mask or a toy weapon, and none copies a disability, a culture or a nationality. Licence: own work