What to Dress Up as for 100 Days of School?
A hundred days in the classroom is worth celebrating, and Australian schools have decided that the best way to mark it is to dress up.
What started as a simple counting milestone has become one of the most creative dress-up events on the school calendar, with parents, kids, and teachers pulling together looks that range from clever to genuinely hilarious.
The costume stakes rise every year, and this guide covers every direction worth considering.
What Makes a Great 100 Days of School Costume?
A great 100 days of school costume either decorates a plain outfit with precisely 100 of something, or leans into a character or theme that represents the number visually. Both approaches work brilliantly, and the choice usually comes down to time and budget.
The "100 items on a shirt" method is the most DIY-friendly option: grab a plain tee, attach 100 stickers, buttons, or pompoms, and the costume is done. It's budget-smart, completely customisable, and easy to execute the night before. The character costume route delivers a more polished result and photographs better, but requires a little more planning.
Of all the character options, the 100-year-old look is the undisputed favourite at 100 days of school celebrations across Australia. Count on this one being recognised by every teacher in the room. It is the costume that launched a thousand stooped shuffles and grey wigs, and it never gets old (pun very much intended).
100 Days of School Costume Ideas for Kids
The numbers don't lie: the most popular 100 days of school costume ideas all centre on the same core theme of age, history, or the passage of time. Here are five looks that deliver the concept with minimal fuss.
The 100-Year-Old Little Old Man
The classic 100 days of school look, and still the most popular. The Little Old Man Costume for Kids features checkered pants and a purple cardigan. You can add an Old Man Hat, an Inflatable Walking Cane, or the Elderly Bald Cap with Grey Curly Sides Wig for instant comedy gold and the look is completely effortless. Zero DIY required, which, after 100 days of school, is precisely what most parents need.
The 100-Year-Old Little Old Lady
An absolute breeze for parents, the Little Old Lady Costume for Kids is an all-in-one winner that comes complete with a floral dress, a grey wig with curlers, and a matching headscarf. To level up the grandmotherly effect, add the Old Lady Accessory Set, which conveniently includes a pair of granny glasses and a pearl necklace. It’s a perennial crowd-pleaser that teachers recognise instantly, making it a strong option for girls who want a costume that requires zero explanation.
The Colonial Student
Stepping back into history is a fantastic "what school looked like a century ago" statement. For the boys, the Colonial Boy Costume for Kids offers a neat, structured, and recognisable historical look.
For the girls, pairing a simple dress with the Historical Bonnet and Apron Set creates a picture-perfect colonial outfit. Both options are natural conversation starters in the classroom and ideal for kids who prefer a bit of history over the old-age route.
The Victorian Schoolchild
The "school 100 years ago" angle is one of the smartest 100 days of school dress-up ideas available because it teaches while it entertains. The Victorian Poor Girl Brown Costume or the Victorian Poor Boy Accessory Kit for Kids sets the scene, with the Victorian Bonnet and Apron Set or the Colonial Flat Cap adding the period detail that makes the look convincing. Teachers quietly love this one. It is essentially a walking history lesson.
The Mad Scientist Who's Been at School Way Too Long
100% approved for older kids, teachers, and any parent helping out at the school event. The Einstein Bad Hair Day Long Grey Wig or Mad Scientist Wig for Adults (sized down with a headband if needed) paired with a pair of Harry Potter Glasses or 50s Style Black Glasses lands the look immediately. Lab coat optional but strongly recommended.
Easy DIY 100 Days of School Costume Ideas
The easiest DIY 100 days of school costume starts with a plain white or coloured tee and precisely 100 of something small. Stickers work best because they lie flat, stay put, and are available in every theme imaginable. Count them out in rows of ten, attach them to the front of the shirt, and the costume is done in under twenty minutes.
For a cleaner finish, iron-on number patches or fabric paint can be used to write "100" across the front of a shirt. It takes slightly longer but looks intentional rather than assembled.
For the 100-year-old look without a full costume, ageing makeup goes a long way: a little baby powder worked through the hair turns it grey instantly, drawn-on wrinkles with an eyebrow pencil add the years, and a stooped walk does the rest. A handmade sign reading "100 Days Smarter" is the simplest prop available and transforms almost any outfit into a legitimate 100 days of school costume with no additional effort.
100% Ready to Shop: Find Your Costume at Costume Super Centre
Costume Super Centre stocks costumes and accessories for kids, adults, and teachers covering every approach to the 100 days of school celebration, from little old people and Victorian schoolchildren to mad scientists and everything in between. The full range is available at Costume Super Centre. Browse the complete 100 days of school costume collection and get the look sorted before day 101 arrives.