As much as you want your preschoolers to stay young, they will eventually be going…
Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day with Your Preschooler
Dr. Seuss’s Daym, aka Dr. Seuss's birthday, is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading with your preschooler. At Primary Beginnings, a 5-star preschool in Raleigh, NC, we believe in fostering a love for books early on, and what better way to do that than by diving into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss? Whether it’s through fun activities, creative crafts, or simply snuggling up with a favorite Seussian tale, there are endless ways to make reading exciting and engaging.
Join us as we explore fun and educational ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with your little one.
When is Dr. Seuss Day?
Dr. Seuss Day is celebrated annually on March 2nd in honor of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the beloved children’s author known for classics like Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! This special day is part of the National Read Across America initiative, launched by the National Education Association (NEA) to encourage children to develop a love for reading.
What is Read Across America Day?
Each year, schools, libraries, and preschools across the country—including Primary Beginnings—participate in fun activities that bring Dr. Seuss’s stories to life. From reading marathons to themed dress-up days and interactive crafts, Dr. Seuss Day is all about making reading exciting and engaging for young learners.
Mark your calendar for March 2nd, and celebrate with your preschooler by sharing a favorite Seuss book, rhyming together, or even cooking up some green eggs and ham.
Read Your Favorite Dr. Seuss Books
It’s only natural that you’ll want to read Dr. Seuss books to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day. With so many titles to choose from it can be hard to pick just one. Here are some ideas broken down by age group:
Best Dr. Seuss Books for Toddlers
For the littlest readers, short, simple books are best. This will keep them engaged and help to teach them new things.
- One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
- The Foot Book: Dr. Seuss’s Wacky Book of Opposites
- The Nose Book
- Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Dr. Seuss’s book of Wonderful Noises
- Happy Birthday to You!
- The ABC Book
Best Dr. Seuss Books for Preschoolers
Preschoolers can usually sit through longer, more story-based books. For this group, you’ll want to try one of these:
- Cat in the Hat
- Green Eggs and Ham
- Fox in Socks
- There’s a Wocket in My Pocket
- I Can Read with My Eyes Shut
Many parents have some of these favorites at home. But, if you don’t, your local library will surely have them on hand
Dr. Seuss Day Reading Activities for Preschoolers
Dr. Seuss’s playful stories and rhyming words make reading an exciting adventure for young learners. His children's books encourage early literacy skills, spark creativity, and promote a love of storytelling.
At Primary Beginnings, we incorporate engaging children's literature reading activities to help preschoolers connect with books in a fun and meaningful way. Here are some interactive reading activities inspired by Dr. Seuss to try with your child.
Dress Up Activities for Dr. Seuss Day
Dr. Seuss Day is the perfect time for preschoolers to step into the colorful and imaginative world of their favorite Dr. Seuss characters. Dressing up not only makes the day extra fun but also helps children engage with what Dr. Seuss wrote in a hands-on, creative way.
Classic Cat in the Hat Costume
One of the easiest and most recognizable Dr. Seuss costumes is The Cat in the Hat. Dress your child in a black outfit, add a red bowtie, and make a tall red-and-white striped hat out of construction paper. You can also draw whiskers with face paint to complete the look. For an extra fun twist, have them act out scenes from the book, like balancing objects or pretending to be mischievous like the Cat.
Adorable Cindy Lou Who Costume
Transform your preschooler into the sweet and kind Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Dress them in a pink or red dress, and for the signature hairstyle, gather their hair into high ponytails or braids, using pipe cleaners or ribbons to create her iconic looped style. Then, add a red bow on top for the perfect finishing touch. While in costume, encourage your child to practice Cindy Lou’s caring and curious nature by talking about kindness and holiday traditions.
DIY Truffula Tree or Lorax Costume
Celebrate reading The Lorax by dressing up as the Lorax himself or as a Truffula Tree. For the Lorax, wear an orange outfit and create a yellow mustache from felt or paper. If your child loves arts and crafts, let them decorate a headband with colorful pom-poms or pipe cleaners to look like a Truffula Tree. This activity is a great way to talk about the book’s environmental message while making a creative costume.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss with Movies for Toddlers
Dr. Seuss’s imaginative stories aren’t just for books—many have been turned into fun, colorful movies that people of all ages love. Watching a Dr. Seuss movie is a great way to introduce young children to his stories with engaging visuals and catchy music.
Eat Like a Dr. Seuss Character
Why just read or watch Dr. Seuss when you can eat like a Seussian character too? Whether you're planning a fun meal to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, looking for a themed snack for movie night, or just want to add a little whimsy to mealtime, these playful food ideas will bring his children's books to life right on your plate.
Arts and Crafts Activities Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day
Dr. Seuss’s books are filled with bold colors, wacky characters, and playful designs, making them the perfect inspiration for arts and crafts activities. Here are some fun and easy Dr. Seuss-inspired crafts to try at home.
Go Fishing (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)
Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day by turning this classic book into a fun fishing game. Shape pipe cleaners into fish, or cut out colorful paper fish and attach a metal paperclip to each one. Then, make a simple fishing pole using a dowel rod (or stick), a piece of string, and a small magnet tied to the end. Scatter the fish on the floor or in a small basket, and let your little angler go “fishing!” This activity is great for hand-eye coordination and color recognition.
Draw Your Favorite Character
All you need is paper, crayons, and your child’s imagination. Encourage your preschooler to draw their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, whether it’s the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, or Horton. If they want to get extra creative, they can even invent their own Seussian-style creature. Once they’ve made a few drawings, create a mini Dr. Seuss art gallery by displaying their masterpieces on a wall or fridge. This simple activity builds confidence and lets kids express their creativity.
Cat’s Hats (The Cat in the Hat)
Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day by creating the cat’s hat! Help your child make their own “stovepipe” hat, just like the one worn by the Cat in the Hat. Use white construction paper to form a tall hat shape, then add red construction paper stripes. Let your child decorate it with pom-poms, stickers, or even glitter to make it uniquely their own. For a sturdier hat, use red and white felt instead of paper. Once it’s ready, they can wear it for dress-up fun or while reading The Cat in the Hat.
Celebrate the Magic of Dr. Suess Day at Primary Beginnings
At Primary Beginnings, we believe that fostering a love for books at an early age sets the foundation for a lifelong passion for learning. Through engaging activities, hands-on crafts, and playful reading experiences, we create a fun and nurturing environment where preschoolers can explore, imagine, and grow.
If you're looking for a preschool that values creativity, literacy, and child-centered learning, we invite you to learn more about our programs. Contact us today to schedule a tour and see how we make learning exciting for little ones every day.
Get started today by calling us at 919-790-6888 or filling out our contact form to learn more.