Dr. Seuss was a very important part of my life growing up.  I loved his books and cherished the Old Hat New Hat book that was my very own.  So now that I have children of my own, I’m thrilled to share his wonderful stories with my family.  Not to mention that one of their favorite movies just so happens to be The Lorax!  To celebrate his birthday this year, which was on March 2nd, we spent some time exploring his books and creating crafts and activities around the Dr. Seuss theme.  Plus, I shared some fun facts about him too!  Here’s a compilation of ideas that I found through my past daycare experience, on Pinterest, and from friends.

When I think of Dr. Suess, my mind immediately goes to sitting in my room and reading Green Eggs And Ham over and over again.  I loved the rhymes, I loved the characters, and I absolutely loved the ending.  So to pay tribute to that story, I decided we needed to have some green eggs.  I didn’t want to actually waste real eggs (because I couldn’t imagine eating green ones myself so I don’t think the kids would either), so instead, I took pretzels and melted a white chocolate wafer over each one and topped with a green M&M to create a delicious Green Egg treat that I know would be enjoyed.

Perhaps one of his most well-known books could be The Cat In The Hat.  This was probably the very first Dr. Seuss book that I’d ever read even.  So when I was creating my plans for the day, I decided to make a snack around the Cat’s hat.  I simply cut up strawberries and bananas and created a delicious fruit kabob.

Celebrating Dr. Seuss ~ Fun Facts, Activities, & Crafts {Emily Reviews} - One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Counting Activity, Fish Handprint Craft, Green Eggs & Ham Treat, The Cat In The Hat Fruit Kabobs, and Oobleck Slime!

For a hands on gooey experiment celebrating his book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, I decided we’d make some of our very own Oobleck.  Simply put one cup of corn starch in a bowl.  Add several drops of green food coloring.  Pour in one cup of cold water.  Then stir together for some amazingly fun slime!  When finished, just place in a seal-able sandwich bag to play again later.

Celebrating Dr. Seuss ~ Fun Facts, Activities, & Crafts {Emily Reviews} - One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Counting Activity, Fish Handprint Craft, Green Eggs & Ham Treat, The Cat In The Hat Fruit Kabobs, and Oobleck Slime!

Next up, we had some One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish fun with an easy counting activity.  I just hand drew six fish bowls on a paper and numbered them.  Then I handed the kids goldfish crackers and let them place (and glue if you’d like) the correct number of fish into each fish bowl.  **Just watch over the younger ones if you have them glue the fish on as they will want to take them off again to eat!**

Celebrating Dr. Seuss ~ Fun Facts, Activities, & Crafts {Emily Reviews} - One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Counting Activity, Fish Handprint Craft, Green Eggs & Ham Treat, The Cat In The Hat Fruit Kabobs, and Oobleck Slime!

The second One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish activity we did was paint.  Kids LOVE to paint so this was a huge hit.  Simply paint each child’s hand with four different colors and have them stamp them onto construction paper.  Add a googly eye and glitter for some pizazz.  Super cute, easy, and oh so fun!

Celebrating Dr. Seuss ~ Fun Facts, Activities, & Crafts {Emily Reviews} - One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Counting Activity, Fish Handprint Craft, Green Eggs & Ham Treat, The Cat In The Hat Fruit Kabobs, and Oobleck Slime!

To get the kids up and moving and also play off The Foot Book, I played a fun Dr. Seuss sound that I found on You Tube while the kids walked around on paper feet.  When I’d stop the music, I’d call out a direction or question for everyone to answer.  Some of the ones I did was shout out “What’s the opposite of up?”  When they said down, I squatted down and had everyone follow suit.  Another one was hop on one foot.  They also thought it was funny when I said to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time.

I also shared some fun facts with the kids.  Did you know:

  1. Dr. Seuss’s real name was actually Theodor Seuss Geisel?  His friends and family actually called him Ted.
  2. Theodor was born on March 2nd, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  He died on September 24th, 1991 in San Diego, California.
  3. Dr. Seuss was NOT a real doctor!
  4. The Dr. was used because Theodor’s father always wanted him to become a doctor.
  5. While at college, Ted wrote for the college magazine, Jack-O-Lantern.  But after getting caught breaking the law, he was forced to resign.  However, Ted continued writing for the magazine but started signing his work by the pen name ‘Seuss’.
  6. The first book that was written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel was “And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street”.  This book was rejected 27 times before finally being published in 1937.
  7. Dr. Seuss never had any children of his own.
  8. The book Green Eggs And Ham was written on a dare to create a story using just 50 different words.  A publisher made that bet and LOST!
  9. The Cat in the Hat was written using only 250 words given to Ted by his editor in hopes of writing a book that would appeal to children and encourage them to learn to read.
  10. Dr. Seuss has written and illustrated 44 children’s books.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a day of Dr. Seuss without some of his famous quotes:

“The more that you read. The more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

“Today you are You, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive who is Youer than you.”

So tell me, do you plan to celebrate Dr. Seuss this month?

Miranda

 

 

 

 

This post currently has 13 responses.

  • ellen beck

    I have always had a fondness for Dr Seuss. I like the simplicity but also the easy lessons it teaches. The quotes he came up with are amazing, and live on. I havent thought about celebrating, but perhaps you have inspired me. I tweet quotes an I will find more of his and share them.

  • Sarah L

    What a great way to celebrate his books. I like the green eggs in a pretzel.

  • Jeanine Carlson

    Wow, you had a lot of info I hadn’t heard before. What a fun lesson!!

  • I saw another blogger that shared the Cat in the Hat strawberries with bananas and on the bottom, they used a marshmallow with food edible markers drew on a cat’s face. The kids loved doing it! It as a lot of fun! The green eggs and ham looks cute too!

  • Kimberly Flickinger

    I love Dr. Suess, especially his book Are You My Mother? I love these ideas, will definitely share with my friends.

  • Oh what fun! I lovwe the strawberry banana sticks!

  • Lisa Brown

    For some nuance, check out some of his political cartoons from WWII.

  • Dorothy Boucher

    This is wonderful! we just love the books that we get to read, Dr Suess and friends. I ove what you did here and the different ideas, definitely a fun time.
    @tisonlyme143

  • Mary Gardner

    These are some of the cutest ideas I have seen to celebrate Dr. Seuss! I especially love the fruit kabobs.

  • gloria patterson

    I think all kids should be exposed to Dr Seuss books and fun filled activities. I am planning on getting ALL of his books for my great niece.

  • melanie huttner

    So much fun! My family loves Dr Seuss books!

  • Amy D

    I have loved Dr. Seus ever since I was a little girl, and now I enjoy sharing the books with my daughter. My favorite book is “Oh, The Place You’ll Go!” I love all these creative activities and treats to celebrate Dr. Seus and his books!

  • katie

    I never knew about any of those facts. So interesting to see how everything started for him. I loved the books as a child and my daughter has them now too.

Leave a Reply fot Mary Gardner Cancel Reply

*
* Your email address will not be published.