How to Make a Hat like Dr Seuss' Cat in the Hat

We celebrate Dr Seuss' birthday on March 2^nd each year. Many schools use this day to read some favorite Dr Seuss books. Children can make their own "Cat in the Hat" hat to mark the occasion. Making this whimsical reminder of one of Seuss' most beloved books is easy and fun if you follow these steps.

Materials Needed:

2 large sheets of white poster board

3 sheets of red construction paper

Pencil

Scissors

Glue

Stapler

1. Cut red construction paper length wise (the long way) so the strips are apprx 2 inches wide. (each sheet of paper will provide 4 strips)

2. To form a tube, circle the white poster board around the child's head to fit, and staple the seam to close. (you can trim off any excess with scissors if you like)

3. Trim around the top of the tube to shorten the height of the tube if necessary.

4. Starting at the seam, align a strip of red construction paper around the bottom of the tube and glue it in place. Continue with another strip to completely circle the tube and trim any excess off the second strip.

5. From the top of your red strip, measure approximately 2 inches up the tube. Leaving that 2 inch space white, glue another strip of red construction paper around as in step #4 (giving a candy cane effect). Repeat this step until you reach the top of your tube.

6. Place your tube on the center of your 2^nd piece of white poster board and using your pencil, trace a circle outlining the bottom of the tube.

7. Remove the tube and draw a second circle 3 inches wider than the first circle.

8. Cut out the circles and save the excess poster board.

9. Using the excess poster board, cutout four strips, each being 4 inches long and about 1 inch wide.

10. Glue these strips to the underside of the circle you cut out. Start approx halfway from the center of the circle and glue towards the center, leaving 4 tabs hanging in the inner center of the circle when you are done.

11. Place the tube on top of the circle and glue these tabs up to the inner side of the tube to secure the hat.

12. Put on your creating and celebrate by reading a Dr Seuss book or acting out the story of the Cat in the Hat!