The Pigeon (Mo Willems) Costume
Don't let this Pigeon drive the bus—wear the costume instead!
The Pigeon from Mo Willems' classic children's books is a beloved character choice for teachers, librarians, and kids alike. Perfect for Book Character Day or Halloween, this look is instantly recognizable by its bright blue color palette and simple cartoon features. The costume consists of a light blue base, a white neck collar, and the Pigeon's distinct black-and-white eye.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as The Pigeon (Mo Willems)
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What you need for a The Pigeon (Mo Willems) costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Pigeon (Mo Willems) costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Light blue hoodie or sweatshirt
A solid light blue or turquoise long-sleeve hooded sweatshirt to serve as the pigeon's body.
DIY: Use any solid light blue long-sleeve shirt you already own.
White felt collar band
A thick white band wrapped around the neck of the sweatshirt to mimic the Pigeon's white neck stripe.
DIY: Cut a 2-inch wide strip of white felt or fabric and safety pin or fabric glue it around the collar of the hoodie.
Yellow felt beak
A simple triangular yellow beak attached to the front of the hood or a headband.
DIY: Cut two triangles out of stiff yellow felt, glue them together along the top edge, and attach to the front brim of the hood.
Large cartoon eye
A large white circular eye with a black pupil, placed on the side or top of the hood.
DIY: Cut a large circle from white felt and a smaller circle from black felt, glue them together, and attach to the side of the hood.
Light blue pants or leggings
Solid light blue pants, sweatpants, or leggings matching the shade of the hoodie.
DIY: Wear any solid gray, black, or blue pants you have at home.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Pigeon (Mo Willems) costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the solid light blue pants or leggings.
- 2
Put on the light blue hooded sweatshirt.
- 3
Wrap the white felt strip around the neck collar of the hoodie and secure it with safety pins or fabric glue to create the white neck band.
- 4
Attach the yellow felt beak to the center-front edge of the hood so it projects forward when the hood is worn.
- 5
Attach one large black-and-white felt eye to each side of the hood, just above the temple area.
- 6
Pull the hood up over your head to display the Pigeon's face.
Makeup & hair
No complex makeup is needed. Keep hair tucked inside the hood to keep the focus on the cartoon Pigeon face.
The Pigeon (Mo Willems) for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as the Bus Driver, or the Duckling holding a hot dog.
- group
- Have friends dress as Elephant and Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, and the Duckling for a full Mo Willems group theme.
- kids
- Use a light blue toddler onesie or pajama set and attach the felt eyes, beak, and white collar directly to a matching blue beanie.
- Plus size
- Use an oversized light blue crewneck sweatshirt and matching sweatpants for a comfortable, relaxed fit.
- pet
- A simple light blue pet knit sweater with a white collar band sewn around the neck.
Tips
- Carry a green toy bus or a cardboard cutout of a steering wheel as a fun, interactive prop.
- Ensure the felt eyes and beak are secured tightly with safety pins if you plan to wash the hoodie later.
- Keep the hood up for photos to show off the character's face, but you can wear it down for comfort during parties.
The Pigeon (Mo Willems) costume FAQ
- How do you make a DIY Mo Willems Pigeon costume?
- Start with a solid light blue hoodie and pants. Use white felt to make a collar band around the neck, and yellow and black-and-white felt to craft the beak and large cartoon eyes on the hood.
- What does the Pigeon wear around his neck?
- The Pigeon has a single, distinct white stripe or collar running around his neck, which can be easily recreated with white felt or fabric tape.
- Is this costume suitable for teachers?
- Yes, it is a highly popular, comfortable, and school-appropriate costume for teachers and librarians on Read Across America Day, Halloween, or book character dress-up days.
Did you know? The Pigeon first appeared in Mo Willems' 2003 debut book, 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!', which won a Caldecott Honor and launched an entire beloved children's book series.