The Museums are open, but we know not everyone is able (or ready) to visit in person. That’s OK! We still have lots of fun available for you!
We’re celebrating the children’s book author and Springfield native who revolutionized learning to read by making it fun! These activities—inspired by Springfield native Ted Geisel aka Dr. Seuss—can enhance a visit or stand alone, providing lots of opportunities to get your creative energy flowing.
Andrew Joyner, author of numerous children’s books and illustrator of Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum, joined Maggie North, Art Curator for the Springfield Museums, to discuss his work and what it is like to draw iconic characters. He also offered drawing tutorials for The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax and the main character of Horse Museum.
It’s time to get festive! Color a party hat featuring your favorite Dr. Seuss characters.
You Will Need:
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Single hole punch
- String
Dr. Seuss’s maternal grandparents George J. and Margaretha Seuss ran a bakery in the South End of Springfield on Howard Street. Dr. Seuss’s mother, Nettie, also worked in the bakery where the family baked traditional German baked goods, including pretzels!
In this series of videos, museum educator Professor Knows A. Lot explains how to read a recipe.
Dr. Seuss drew all kinds of wacky, wonderful buildings from Whoville in How the Grinch Stole Christmas to buildings in Oh the Places You’ll Go. You can create your own Seussian village using toilet paper tubes to add curves, and cardboard or chipboard to add structure. You can create any kind of building you can imagine!
You Will Need:
- Crayons or markers
- Toilet paper tubes, cardboard or chipboard scraps
- Tape, especially colored tape if you have it
In The Lorax the Once-ler over harvested truffala trees to create thneeds, something he said we all need. Protecting our natural resources is extremely important because it is true, we all need trees! Look at this photo. Which items to you think were made from trees?
Surprise–every item in the photo is made from trees! Here is a list of other items you can look for in your home that are also made from trees:
Wood Products
- Charcoal
- Lumber
- Furniture
Bark Products
- Cork
- Dye
- Cinnamon
Cellulose Products
- Cellophane
- Rayon fabric
- Suntan lotion
- Shatterproof glass
- Paper
- Toilet paper
- Wrapping paper
- Imitation leather
Sap Products
- Gum
- Perfume
- Soap
- Sugar
- Syrup
- Wax
- Chewing gum
- Printer ink
- Crayons
Fruits, Leaves, and Seed Products
- Apples, oranges, bananas
- Pine nuts
- Bay leaves, nutmeg
- Lemonade, Cider