“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” – Dr. Seuss
On March 2nd, we will celebrate the birthday of one of America’s most beloved and well-known children’s authors, Dr. Seuss. We have read his books throughout our childhoods, and now read them to our children as well…most of us can even recite a quote or two without much forethought.
So let’s celebrate–this is a perfect day to have some fun with your kids and promote literacy too! For the past few years, our family has held birthday parties for Dr. Seuss at our house. Some easy prep and a trip to the dollar store help us create a fun and memorable morning for our family.
Easy decorations include colorful streamers, a happy birthday sign, Dr. Seuss books and anything Koosh Ball-like or wacky-looking to fit in with Dr. Seuss’s storybook characters and themes. I just scrambled around the house and found plenty of items that fit the bill. I themed up the kitchen before bed, so when my kiddos woke up, they knew it was a special morning. We made Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast; you can either use green food coloring for the eggs or add pesto and spinach for a healthful version; my kids loved them!
After asking them to change into some silly clothes, we sent our kiddos on a Green Eggs and Ham scavenger hunt around the house, to gather items from the story that you more than likely have just sitting around. I simply made a list of items which included a house, a mouse, a box, a fox, a car, a tree, a flashlight (the dark), a train, an umbrella (the rain) a goat or lamb, and a boat. The kids took their lists and ran around the house, finding the items in various toyboxes, drawers, etc. At the conclusion of the hunt, our table centerpiece was complete!
There are many different websites with printables and activities for this type of celebration, simply perform a search for “Dr. Seuss Printables” and you will have such a wide variety of projects and ideas at your fingertips, you won’t know what to do with them. I found several great ideas at Homeschool Share.
After our scavenger hunt and breakfast, we created our Things 1, 2, 3, and 4 crowns, and laughed as we read Dr. Seuss books together. This was a truly fun and educational morning with my family.
In conjunction with Dr. Seuss’s birthday, it is also the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day. Now in its 18th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating young children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. In 2015, NEA’s Read Across America event gained 988 pledges for events that took place in all 50 states and 11 international locations, and it will continue to grow in 2016.
On Saturday, February 27th, 2016, the following Lake County Barnes & Noble locations are hosting a Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration story time at 11:00 a.m.
Barnes and Noble – Deerfield
728 N. Waukegan Road, Deerfield | (847) 914-9293
Barnes and Noble – Deer Park
20600 N. Rand Road, Deer Park | (847)438-7444
Barnes and Noble – Vernon Hills
720 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills | 847-247-1157
Chick-fil-A in Vernon Hills is also hosting a special celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. There you can join Miss Bonnie and make your very own Dr. Seuss hat, play pin the hat on Dr. Seuss and enjoy their famous Icedream Bar for free.
For additional reading and story time events, please visit Little Lake County’s Calendar.
Grab a book, buy some eggs and ham, and take part in a fantastic program that will get your kids excited about reading! Thank you Dr. Seuss.
“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.” – Dr. Seuss
For additional information on the National Education Association Read Across America Day or to plan your own local event, please visit http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm.
Read Across America
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How will your family celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday this year? Tell us in the comments section.
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