Expand on the fun of 'The Cat in the Hat' with these extension activities

Cut white strips of cardstock or Styrofoam to use for this math activity. Children can place the pieces on red fabric or paper to form a red and white pattern. Count the stripes as they are laid down. Next, count backwards as you remove the pieces one at a time. What else can your child do with the stripes? Try forming shapes, dividing them evenly between two or more people and seeing how long they are when laid end-to-end."The Cat in the Hat" is filled with examples of rhyming words. Help your children work on their rhyming skills with a hat-themed activity. With a red marker, draw the outline of a tall hat on white paper. Help your kids brainstorm words that rhyme with "hat," and write one word on each of the hat's stripes. If you'd rather not draw your own hat, A to Z Teacher Stuff has free printables that are just right for this activity.Dr. Seuss's famous cat just wouldn't be the same without his hat, so make a paper hat craft to go along with the story. One option is to cut a hat from red paper and glue white paper strips to it. Another idea is to cut a hat shape from white paper; use a wide brush to paint red stripes on the hat. If you attach a paper headband to the brim, your child can wear the hat; just make sure to use sturdy paper that will stand upright.View the list »
After reading the Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat," try some of these learning activities with your youngster.

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First published in 1957, Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat" has become a children's classic, loved by people of all ages. It's an enjoyable read-aloud, but it's also simple enough for beginning readers to tackle on their own. If you want to expand on the fun of this whimsical story, check out this list for ideas. You'll find craft suggestions, a game idea and activities for building math and language arts skills.

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Dr. Seuss wrote "The Cat in the Hat" to help kids enjoy learning to read. He considered the primers of his day boring and hoped that children would be more inclined to read if the story was entertaining. The book uses only 236 words, all of which can be read by an average first or second grade student.

Find "The Cat in the Hat" and other Dr. Seuss books at your local library. The main branch of the Peoria Public Library is located at 107 Northeast Monroe, Peoria, Ill. After you read this entertaining classic with your child, make the fun last with these simple, educational activities that your youngster will enjoy.

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  • Dr. Seuss's famous cat just wouldn't be the same without his hat, so make a paper hat craft to go along with the story. One option is to cut a hat from red paper and glue white paper strips to it. Another idea is to cut a hat shape from white paper; use a wide brush to paint red stripes on the hat. If you attach a paper headband to the brim, your child can wear the hat; just make sure to use sturdy paper that will stand upright.
  • "The Cat in the Hat" is filled with examples of rhyming words. Help your children work on their rhyming skills with a hat-themed activity. With a red marker, draw the outline of a tall hat on white paper. Help your kids brainstorm words that rhyme with "hat," and write one word on each of the hat's stripes. If you'd rather not draw your own hat, A to Z Teacher Stuff has free printables that are just right for this activity.
  • Cut white strips of cardstock or Styrofoam to use for this math activity. Children can place the pieces on red fabric or paper to form a red and white pattern. Count the stripes as they are laid down. Next, count backwards as you remove the pieces one at a time. What else can your child do with the stripes? Try forming shapes, dividing them evenly between two or more people and seeing how long they are when laid end-to-end.
  • Kids will enjoy aiming a ball or a beanbag at the Cat's famous hat. Cover a large, empty canister, such as an oatmeal container, with white paper. Decorate it with red stripes. Cut a hole in a paper plate, and slide it onto the can to form a brim. Children can stand back and toss a ball in or stand on a chair above the hat to drop clothespins into the opening.
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, Peoria Homeschooling Examiner

Meghan Ross is a homeschooling mother of two young children in central Illinois. She has been working with children for 15 years, in church, public school, and homeschooling settings. She believes that good books and hands-on activities make lessons come to life for both children and the adults...

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