Room on the Broom is one of my favourite books to dress for, because every character comes with its own colour and its own little prop. There's the witch, her cat, dog, bird and frog, the dragon and the mud monster, and they pair up beautifully for duos, siblings, families and whole classes. Below are 30 ideas built mostly from everyday basics, thrifted pieces, felt and cardboard, for children, teachers and parents heading to a book day, library event or Halloween party. I've kept an eye on the practical side throughout: shoes a child can run in, makeup that washes off, and props light enough to carry from the school gate to home time.
A Witch Hat and Plait That Survive a School Day
The pointed hat and the long orange braid show up in a third of these looks, and they're the bits that most often end up in a book bag by mid-morning. Here's how I make them stay put.
Making the braid
Cut lengths of chunky orange yarn about twice as long as you want the finished plait, tie the bundle tightly in the middle, then fold and plait it in three sections. Finish the end with a hair bobble and a little red ribbon. Stitch the folded top inside the back of the hat brim with a few strong stitches. Yarn is softer and lighter than a costume wig and doesn't make little heads sweaty.
Keeping the hat on
- Sew a length of soft elastic inside the hat to go under the hair at the back of the head, not under the chin. A chin strap is uncomfortable and can catch.
- Stuff the point with a little tissue or toy filling so it stays upright instead of flopping over the face.
- For very small children, two hair clips through the inside band and into the hair hold better than elastic.
- If the hat is too big, a strip of foam draught excluder tape around the inside band tightens it and stops it sliding over the eyes.
1. Classic Room on the Broom Witch Costume
The witch is the character everyone knows from the cover. Start with a red long-sleeve shirt and a purple skirt, loose trousers or leggings, then a flowing black cape and a tall black pointed hat. Her long orange plait is the detail that makes it her rather than any witch, so I attach a yarn braid underneath the hat brim where it can't slip. Rosy cheeks, freckles and a small brown mark by the nose finish the face. Carry a light broom, a cardboard wand and a red bow, with black tights and flat black boots. A small plush cat tied firmly to the broom makes it unmistakable.
2. Easy DIY Room on the Broom Witch Costume
You can make most of this one from the wardrobe. A red jumper with purple leggings or a simple purple skirt is the base. For the cape, take a rectangle of black fabric and add a strip of hook-and-loop tape at the neck, which is also safer than a tie because it pulls apart if it catches. A budget witch hat with orange yarn plaited down one side does the hair. Paint a wooden dowel and glue on a yellow card star for the wand. Pink blush, painted freckles and black trainers or wellies finish it, and small animal pictures stuck to a cardboard broom tell the story at a glance.
3. Toddler Room on the Broom Witch Costume
Toddlers need soft, short and simple. A red cotton top, a purple tulle skirt over leggings and a black cape that stops above the knees so it can't be trodden on. Choose a soft fabric hat instead of a stiff one; little ones pull off anything that pokes their ears, and a floppy hat stays on far longer. Sew the orange yarn braid securely under it. Keep face paint to rosy cheeks and a few washable freckles. A foam wand and a short fabric-covered broom are light enough to carry, a tiny plush cat can ride in a crossbody pouch, and non-slip trainers let them run about safely.
4. Adult Room on the Broom Witch Costume
Grown-ups can stay faithful to the book and still look put together. A fitted red knit top with wide purple trousers or a flowing midi skirt, a structured black cape and a pointed hat with an orange braided wig over one shoulder. Warm, friendly makeup works best: softly defined eyes, peach blush, freckles and that small spot beside the nose. A wooden-look foam broom and a handmade wand, with a red bow tied round your wrist or bag. Pop a plush cat in a little basket on the broom and wear comfortable black ankle boots. It suits parents, librarians and teachers alike.
5. Teacher Room on the Broom Witch Costume
Teachers spend the day crouching at tables, reaching shelves and leading lines, so I build this one around movement. A red blouse, purple ankle-length trousers and a light black cardigan worn as the cape, rather than a real cape that catches on chair backs. Make the orange yarn braid detachable so it can come off if it becomes a distraction. Subtle makeup: rosy cheeks, freckles, softly defined brows. Swap a full broom for a short one made from cardboard tubes and brown paper, with small felt animals along the handle. Black loafers or cushioned ankle boots and a foam wand in your pocket keep it practical.
6. Last-Minute Room on the Broom Witch Costume
If book day crept up on you, go for colour first. Any red top with purple trousers, leggings or a skirt, plus a black jacket or cardigan as the cape. Put a shop-bought witch hat over a quick yarn braid, or tuck a long orange scarf under the brim so the ends hang like a plait. Draw freckles and a little spot by the nose with washable face paint, and roll cardboard into a wand covered in coloured paper. A clean household broom works if your child can carry it comfortably; otherwise leave it at home. Black shoes from the cupboard, and a red bow tied on the broom if you have one.
7. Room on the Broom Cat Costume
The cat is the simplest character to dress, and it suits shy children who don't want anything bright. A black long-sleeve top, black leggings or joggers and a soft tail fixed at the waistband. Add a cat-ear headband over neatly combed hair. Washable paint for a small pink nose, whiskers and lightly outlined eyes, and a white felt patch on the chest for contrast. A felt cone or a light pine cone can be the cat's contribution. Black trainers or non-slip boots finish it. On its own, a black cat could be any cat, so walking beside a witch or wearing a small paper broom badge helps.
8. Cute Child Room on the Broom Cat Costume
For a chilly school day, a hoodie cat is warm and comfortable. Dress your child in a black hoodie and matching joggers, then add a white felt belly panel. I'd stitch the panel on with a loose running stitch rather than fabric tape, since tape gives up quickly on a child who wriggles all day. Sew soft triangle ears onto the hood and fasten a flexible stuffed tail at the back. Hair stays inside the hood, so there's no need for a wig. Paint a pink nose, three whiskers on each cheek and rounded brows. A felt pine cone in a small bag, black trainers and white socks finish it.
9. Room on the Broom Dog Costume
The dog is all about the floppy ears. A brown sweatshirt and matching trousers with a lighter felt belly patch and a padded tail make the body. A hood or headband with long brown ears keeps the face clear, which matters for children who dislike masks. Tuck hair under the hood. Brown paint around the nose, soft freckles across the cheeks and an upturned smile give a happy expression. A big foam or cardboard bone is the dog's prop. Brown trainers or sturdy ankle boots, and a small broom picture on the shirt connects it to the book.
10. Easy Child Room on the Broom Dog Costume
An easier dog starts with a brown tracksuit or tan pyjamas. Cut floppy ears from brown felt and glue them to a plain headband; glue them to the outside of the band and wrap a little felt over the join, or they peel off the plastic by lunchtime. Attach a stuffed tail with a few stitches. Natural hair can sit loose or in a low ponytail behind the ears. A black nose, brown cheek dots and short whiskers in washable makeup. Make the bone from two layers of white card so it doesn't flop. Brown trainers for the playground, and a felt collar with a tiny broom tag.
11. Room on the Broom Bird Costume
The green bird is light and bright to wear. A green long-sleeve top with matching leggings or trousers, then a cape of feather-shaped felt across the shoulders, kept short so arms move freely. A green hood, headband or snug cap with a yellow felt beak, and hair secured underneath or plaited down the back. Green eyeshadow, rosy cheeks and a small yellow triangle above the lip make friendly bird makeup. A brown felt twig is the prop. For wings, I'd go with small fabric ones at the wrists; rigid wings knock into other children in a busy classroom.
12. DIY Room on the Broom Bird Costume
This handmade bird uses green clothes and a pile of felt. A green sweatshirt with darker green leggings, then leaf-shaped feathers cut in several shades and stitched onto a fabric cape or an old green T-shirt layered over the top. Mixing three or four greens makes the feathers look far richer than one flat colour. Make the headpiece from a green beanie with a soft yellow card beak above the forehead, not over the face. Simple green eye makeup and pink cheeks, a stick wrapped in brown paper for the twig, green trainers and yellow socks. A small broom patch on the chest finishes it.
13. Room on the Broom Frog Costume
The frog is pure fun and great for bouncy children. A green hoodie and matching joggers or leggings, with large felt eyes on top of the hood. I stuff the eyes lightly with toy filling rather than card, so they stay round but don't drag the hood backwards. Add a pale green or yellow felt belly and webbed felt cuffs at the wrists. Hair hides under the hood; makeup is green cheeks, a wide smile and tiny nostril dots. A big yellow foam flower is the frog's prop, and green wellies or trainers handle all the hopping. A curled felt tongue taped to the chest is a fun extra that keeps everything away from the mouth.
14. Toddler Room on the Broom Frog Costume
Toddler frogs need to walk, sit and climb without fuss. Green footless pyjamas or a fleece tracksuit with a lighter green belly, two plush eyes on the hood and small webbed shapes at the wrists. Skip oversized costume feet; they cause trips, and green trainers with yellow socks do the job. Hair stays under the hood, and two pink cheek circles with a washable smile are enough makeup. Give them a soft fabric flower to hold or keep it in a small green pouch, with a mini foam broom on the strap. No tail on this one, so sitting on the carpet stays comfortable.
15. Room on the Broom Dragon Costume
The dragon can look bold without scaring the little ones. An orange or rust sweatshirt with matching trousers and a golden-yellow belly panel, then a hood with friendly eyes, soft horns and a rounded snout sitting above the face. Felt spikes run from the hood down the back to a padded tail. Hair tucks into the hood, with orange paint on the cheeks and softly arched brows. For a prop, a cardboard plate with a playful dinner theme or a small plush broom keeps it lighthearted. Orange trainers or brown boots and fabric wings at the shoulders leave hands free. Fill the spikes lightly so they stand up without going stiff.
16. Cute Room on the Broom Dragon Costume
A sweeter dragon uses a burnt-orange fleece onesie or a sweatshirt-and-jogger set. Sew or tape cream felt onto the chest and add rounded yellow spikes along the hood and back. Choose small fabric wings rather than cardboard ones, which bend and crease the first time a child sits back in a chair. Tie hair back inside the hood. Peach blush, golden eyeshadow and tiny painted scales at the temples, with a smile rather than sharp details. A foam fork and a card plate with a witch-hat picture nod to the dragon's plan in the story. Orange trainers or slippers with firm soles; it's a gentle choice for younger children.
17. Room on the Broom Mud Monster Costume
The mud monster mixes bits of all four animal friends into one creature. A loose brown tunic or oversized sweatshirt over brown leggings, then a black cat tail, floppy dog ears, green bird feathers and frog-eye shapes stitched on at odd angles. Keep everything irregular so it looks like it rose out of the bog. A brown hood dotted with leaves and twigs covers the hair. Smudged brown face paint with green accents and a friendly lopsided smile keep it silly rather than scary. A broken cardboard broom section is the key prop, and brown wellies add to the muddy feel. Older children who like a bit of drama tend to love it.
18. DIY Room on the Broom Mud Monster Costume
For a homemade mud monster, raid the old-clothes bag. A brown hoodie, loose trousers and a layered fabric poncho, then patches of tan, olive and dark brown felt pinned or tacked on to look like clumps of mud. On the hood, add one cat ear, one floppy dog ear, green feathers and two frog eyes. Long hair goes in a low bun or under the hood. Washable brown and green makeup in soft, uneven patches. A foam broom cut to look snapped, brown wellies and a few artificial leaves at the shoulders finish it. If you use safety pins, close them on the inside so nothing scratches.
19. Witch and Cat Room on the Broom Costume
The witch and her cat are the easiest pair to pull off, whether that's siblings, friends or a parent and child. The witch wears the red top, purple bottoms, black cape, pointed hat and orange braid, with freckles, the small mark by her nose, black boots, a wand and a light broom. The cat wears black with a white felt chest, soft ears and a bendy tail, plus a pink nose, whiskers and black trainers. The cat can carry a felt pine cone while the witch holds the red bow or wand. Once they stand together with the broom, nobody needs to ask who they are. Keep both outfits soft for a long day.
20. Witch and Dog Room on the Broom Costume
The witch-and-dog pair plays on the hat scene, which children enjoy acting out. The witch wears the red shirt, purple skirt or trousers, black cape, pointed hat and orange yarn braid, with freckles, a foam wand, black boots and a small broom. The dog wears a brown hoodie and trousers with floppy felt ears, a padded tail and a lighter chest panel, plus a painted black nose, cheek dots and brown trainers. The dog carries a big cardboard bone, and a spare little hat tied to the broom nods to the dog finding it. Neither costume needs a mask, which I always prefer for younger children.
21. Witch and Bird Room on the Broom Costume
Green and purple make this witch-and-bird duo bright and easy to spot. The witch wears the red top, purple bottoms, black cape, pointed hat, orange braid and flat black boots, with freckles, a wand and a short broom. The bird wears a green top and leggings with a layered felt feather cape, a yellow beak headband and green trainers, hair under a green cap and pink cheeks. Let the bird carry a paper-wrapped twig with the witch's red bow tied to it, since the bird is the one who rescues her bow. Linked props like this help children tell the story to anyone who asks.
22. Witch and Frog Room on the Broom Costume
Here the witch teams up with a bouncy frog. The witch has the red long-sleeve shirt, purple skirt or trousers, black cape, orange braid and pointed hat, light freckles, black shoes, a wand and a broom. The frog wears a green hoodie with plush eyes, matching trousers, a pale belly patch and webbed cuffs, with a painted smile and pink cheeks. Green trainers are safer for hopping than wellies. Give the frog a big fabric flower and the witch a small cardboard cauldron. The textures are so different from each other that this pair photographs clearly, even from the back of a school hall.
23. Witch and Dragon Room on the Broom Costume
Witch and dragon gives you a goodie and a troublemaker, without anything frightening. The witch wears her red shirt, purple skirt or trousers, cape, pointed hat, orange braid, freckles and black ankle boots, with a foam wand and a broom carrying a plush cat. The dragon wears orange with a yellow belly, fabric wings, a padded tail and a hood with soft horns and friendly eyes, plus gold makeup at the temples and orange trainers. A card dinner plate with a witch-hat drawing is a funny prop. Encourage big smiles and a bit of hamming for photos so even the youngest guests find it funny.
24. Room on the Broom Sibling Costume
For siblings, I'd usually pair the witch with the cat, since the cat is the easiest outfit for a younger child to wear all day. The older sibling has the red top, purple bottoms, cape, pointed hat, orange braid and black trainers, with freckles, a soft wand and a shortened broom. The younger one wears a black hoodie, black joggers, cat ears, a padded tail and comfy black shoes, with just a pink nose and whiskers painted on. The cat holds a plush pine cone; the witch wears the red bow at her neck. Matching broom badges link them, and both costumes still work if the children end up at different activities.
25. Room on the Broom Family Costume
A family of five covers the witch, cat, dog, bird and frog. Give the witch her red top, purple bottoms, cape, braid, pointed hat, wand, broom and black boots. The cat wears black with ears, whiskers, a tail and a pine cone. The dog wears brown with floppy ears, a painted nose, a tail, a bone and brown trainers. The bird wears green feathers with a yellow beak and a twig, and the frog a green hoodie with big eyes, a pale belly, a flower and wellies. Keep everyone's makeup soft. For photos, line up behind a long cardboard broom held at waist height, which looks like everyone is riding it.
26. Room on the Broom Group Costume
Seven people can cover the whole cast: witch, cat, dog, bird, frog, dragon and mud monster. Give each one its signature colour, red and purple for the witch, black for the cat, brown for the dog, green for the bird and frog, orange for the dragon and muddy brown for the monster. Then add headpieces, gentle face paint, light tails or wings and comfortable shoes. Every person carries a prop: the broom, pine cone, bone, twig, flower, dinner plate or a broken broom section. With the bird and frog both in green, I'd give them clearly different shades so they don't blur together in photos. It's a great pick for a class or a big family.
27. Room on the Broom Trio Costume
A witch, cat and dog trio is very manageable. The witch wears her red top, purple bottoms, cape, orange braid, pointed hat, freckles, black boots and a wand. The cat wears black with ears, a white chest patch, a tail, whiskers, black trainers and a felt pine cone. The dog wears brown with floppy ears, a light belly, a padded tail, a painted nose, brown shoes and a foam bone. A long cardboard broom can be held across all three for pictures. Keep tails short enough to sit above the knee when standing, since a tail that reaches the floor gets stepped on in a queue. Broom badges help when the three split up.
28. Room on the Broom Four-Person Costume
Four people can be the witch, cat, bird and frog, which gives a nice spread of colours. The witch has her red top, purple bottoms, cape, orange braid, pointed hat, wand, broom and black boots. The cat wears black with ears, tail, whiskers and a pine cone. The bird gets a green feather cape, a yellow beak headband, green trousers, a twig and matching trainers. Dress the frog in a lighter green hoodie with big eyes, a pale belly, webbed cuffs, a flower and green shoes, so it stands apart from the bird. Keep the makeup friendly and simple. A cardboard broom photo prop lets everyone pose together and then go back to their activities.
29. Room on the Broom Pet Costume
A calm dog can join in as the witch's cat. Use a soft black pet shirt or harness with a white felt chest panel, and attach small fabric cat ears without covering the dog's own ears. A short, light black tail on the back of the shirt is plenty; anything long gets chewed or tangled. Skip face paint and wigs completely, as they can irritate. Put a soft brown pine cone toy beside the dog for photos and add a broom-shaped tag to the collar. Leave paws uncovered so the dog can walk safely. If your dog keeps trying to wriggle out, take it off; a happy dog in a collar tag is better than a stressed one in a costume.
30. Room on the Broom Baby Costume
Babies need warmth, softness and easy nappy changes above everything. A red cotton bodysuit with purple pull-on trousers and a short black cape fastened at the shoulders with a snap, never tied at the neck. A soft fabric pointed hat with an orange yarn braid stitched firmly along one side. No face paint on baby skin; their own rosy cheeks are fine. Purple socks or soft black booties instead of hard shoes. Keep the foam wand and tiny broom for supervised photos rather than attaching them, and sit a plush black cat beside the baby. Breathable fabrics, and the hat comes off the moment baby fusses.
How These Costumes Cope With a Real School Day
A book day costume isn't worn for a party hour; it has to last through registration, carpet time, lunch, the playground and the walk home. A few things I check before a child heads off:
- Toilet trips. Onesies and dungarees are hard for young children to manage alone. Separates are kinder, and if you do use a onesie, make sure they can undo it themselves.
- School rules. Many schools ask for no full face masks and no toy weapons, and some prefer that children don't bring props that are hard to keep track of. A wand or flower that fits in a book bag is the safest choice.
- Capes and tails on the playground. Keep capes no longer than the back of the knee and fasten them with hook-and-loop tape so they pull apart if grabbed.
- Rain. Felt and cardboard soften quickly when wet. Pack a carrier bag for props, and choose wellies if the forecast looks grey.
- Face paint. Use a water-based, skin-safe paint, test it on the wrist the night before and keep designs small so they survive lunch. A packet of baby wipes in the bag helps.
- Warmth. Hoodie-based animals are cosy outdoors but warm in a heated classroom. A thin top underneath lets them take the hood layer off.
Finally, label everything. Ears, tails and wands come off and wander, and a name written on the inside of each piece makes it far more likely to come home.
Red, Purple and an Orange Plait Tell the Whole Story
The book gives every character its own colour and its own little object, and that's really all a costume needs: red and purple with an orange plait for the witch, black for the cat, brown for the dog, green for the bird and frog, orange for the dragon. Add a soft prop each, washable makeup and shoes your child can run in, and you're ready for anything from a single witch to a class of seven. Keep felt and cardboard pieces light, test the face paint the night before, and do a practice sit-down at home to check nothing pinches, pokes or drags.
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