Read: How to Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with Your Kids

by Jamie Moesser on March 2nd, 2012 | 2 Comments »

I still remember the deep enthrallment I felt when I first read Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. I don't remember why it was so enchanting; I've never been that into hats. These days, I have all of Dr. Seuss' and Theo LeSieg's books and my children are growing up hearing his stories. I hope to see that look of enchantment in their eyes. Did you know that Dr. Seuss' birthday, if he were still alive, would have been today, March 2nd? To celebrate his legacy of literacy, here are some of the things we're going to do, that you may want to try as well.

How to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Your Kids

Here are four fun ways to throw a Dr. Seuss' birthday party with your kids:

Watch a Cat in the Hat Marathon

PBS stations nationwide will feature a two-hour marathon of "The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That." Check here for your local listings. It will feature new episodes about the seasons and problem-solving. My three-year-old and I had the opportunity to preview the marathon, and it doesn't disappoint. (I was so excited to figure out that the voice of The Cat is Martin Short!)

Have a Family Read-a-thon

On the evening of March 2nd, participate in the national "Read Across America," sponsored by the National Education Association. Help your kids pick a special spot on the floor of the family room and plop down a bunch of pillows. Provide lots of books, "brainfood," popcorn, or treats. Challenge them to read for as long as possible, maybe giving prizes for the most pages read. Make sure to log everyone's minutes.

Have a Seuss party!

There is no shortage of ideas online for decorations and refreshments for a Dr. Seuss themed birthday party for your own kids' birthdays, but they can easily be adapted to celebrate Dr. Seuss himself. Here are a few posts about games, crafts, and refreshments. We're going to make birthday cards to Dr. Seuss, thanking him for all of his books.

Display and Discuss a Dr. Seuss Quote

Print or make something that displays one of his great quotes, then read it and talk about it over dinner. For instance, Dr. Seuss once said: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" I love that! Pinterest is plastered with tons of creative ways to present that.