Reading Dr. Seuss Books: Preschool Activities

Use these Dr. Seuss Preschool Activities to not only bring the stories to life but to help expand upon the child's reading and imagination!

Dr. Seuss created some incredible characters, but none is as famous as the Cat in the Hat. The Cat in the Hat always seems to be balancing things. Give your preschoolers a chance to learn all about balancing items on top of each other. Give each child a small paper bag full of an identical group of items, such as a block, a spoon, a crayon, a marble, a plastic straw, and a bowl. Have each child try to make a tower with all of the items, balancing them in the easiest way possible. After this activity, discuss with children how the process went. Which items balanced most easily on top? Which items did they decide to put on the bottom? Why?

If you read “Dr. Seuss’s ABCs” towards the beginning of the school year, you can use this activity throughout the year as you learn each letter of the alphabet. After you learn each letter, have the class brainstorm a list of words that begin with that letter. Then have children put three of the words together to make silly description, just like Dr. Seuss does. For example, for the letter “T,” a child might choose the phrase “tall, ticklish tree.” Have children draw a picture of their description, label the picture with the phrase they chose, and display the pictures prominently.

After you’ve read the foot book, you can make an exciting obstacle course using nothing more than feet! Have children trace their feet on construction paper and cut them out. They can decorate each foot and label it. Then create an obstacle course made of feet by taping the paper feet across the room. Place them so that children must crawl under and over safe obstacles. Then have them follow the feet!

Use this book to talk about alliteration, or words that all begin with the same sound. As you read, have children identify examples of alliteration. When you finish reading, encourage them to make their own sentences using alliteration. As a fun twist, ask them to use their names in the sentences. For example, Brittany might write “Brittany bought a blue balloon, but it bounced straight to Buffalo!”

Dr. Seuss’s books are classics for a reason. Preparing these Dr. Seuss preschool activities with your class will help them appreciate the books and extend the lesson to apply it to their own lives.

You can also take a look at this lesson plan and activities on "Oh, the Places You Will Go," by Dr. Seuss. And don't forget about the lesson plan on this classic - "Dr. Seuss's ABC's".