Easy Norman The Slug Costume for World Book Day

If your child loves Norman The Slug, this homemade World Book Day costume is colourful, fun and surprisingly easy to make.

We first discovered Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell by Sue Hendra, and it quickly became a firm favourite in our house. Norman doesn’t want to be an ordinary slug — he wants to stand out! With bright illustrations and a wonderfully silly storyline, it’s a brilliant choice for younger children.

So when one of my daughters asked to dress as Norman for Book Week, I embraced the challenge.

Orange and pink clothes formed the base — and then we created Norman’s famous doughnut shell and eye headband.

Here’s exactly how we made our Norman The Slug costume.

More Easy World Book Day Costume Ideas

If you’re looking for more colourful and creative book character costumes, you might also like:

• Our Winnie the Witch costume tutorial, inspired by Winnie the Witch
• The adventurous Night Pirates costume, based on The Night Pirates

All of these are simple, homemade World Book Day costumes made from everyday materials.

How to Make the Norman The Slug Doughnut Shel

You’ll Need:

• Large sheet of cardboard (flat-pack packaging works perfectly)
• Polystyrene / Styrofoam packaging blocks
• Brown paper packaging (the paper that’s used inside parcels as packing material)
• Pink tissue paper
• PVA / cellulose adhesive
• Bright coloured pipe cleaners
• Glue

Step 1 – Cut the Doughnut Shapes

Cut two large doughnut shapes from cardboard.

Step 2 – Add the Thickness

Glue polystyrene blocks around the inside and outside edge of one cardboard ring to create depth.
Once dry, glue the second cardboard ring on top to sandwich everything together.

Step 3 – Create the Doughnut Edge

Paper-mache brown packing paper that comes inside boxes, around the outside edge to cover the gap.
Overlap it about a quarter of the way down each doughnut side to ensure strength and grip. You can use watered-down PVA glue, cellulose paste or make your own papier-mache paste using flour and water.

Step 4 – Add the Pink Icing

Use pink tissue paper to paper-mache to cover the inside ring gap and bring it up and over the top to create the icing effect. This needs to be done on both sides.

Step 5 – Add Sprinkles

Cut colourful pipe cleaners into smaller pieces and glue onto both sides of the doughnut for bright, cheerful sprinkles.

That’s your Norman the Slug doughnut shell finished!

How to Make a Norman The Slug Headband

You’ll Need:

• Orange card
• Orange face paint
• White and black paper
• Glue

Step 1 – Face Base

We used pearl orange face paint to colour the face.

Step 2 – Make the Headband

Measure around your child’s head and cut a strip of card about 1–2 inches wide.

Add two small triangular points at the centre (these will hold the eyes).

Paint the card orange.

Step 3 – Add the Eyes

Glue on two large white paper ovals and add black circles for the pupils.

Secure the band to fit snugly around the head.

How to Wear the Norman The Slug Costume

To attach the doughnut:

• Use a wide belt around the waist and doughnut
• Tie orange tulle through the doughnut, up and over the shoulders, under the arms and back through the doughnunt. You can also use rope, string, ribbon etc)
• Wrap it around the front of the belt to secure

This keeps the doughnut stable while still allowing movement.

Why This Norman The Slug Costume Works So Well

• Bright and instantly recognisable
• Comfortable to wear
• Made mostly from recycled packaging
• Budget-friendly
• Perfect for World Book Day

And most importantly… it captures Norman’s wonderfully silly personality.