I’m a real Dr. Seuss fan, so I wanted to find a fun way to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 2) with my 2-year-old granddaughter. I’ve just started to introduce Zoey to Dr. Seuss books, first through rhyming fun and now through the silliness of The Cat in the Hat … with a Cat in the Hat sensory bin.
{Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin
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{Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin – YouTube Video
I love Zoey’s response to the sensory bin!
{Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin (and DIY Sensory Table)
{Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Table
I already had my DIY sensory table, so it was easy to make a Cat in the Hat sensory bin.
{Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin
Materials Used for Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin
- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (read before introducing the sensory bin)
- white rice from the Dollar Tree
- red food coloring, liquid watercolor, or Wilton Icing Colors (what I used)
- DIY sensory table (I REALLY, REALLY love this. It’s been very durable and the perfect container for our sensory bins. Of course, you can use a bin on the floor.)
- red measuring spoons
- white measuring scoop
- small red dish from the grocery store
- free printables from Seussville
- Easter tree or branch from outdoors (I used an Easter tree we’ve had in our family since our kids were little.)
- Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat Figurine Ornaments, Set of 18
Feel free to adapt your sensory bin for your family. These are just the materials I used. If you use this with a toddler, be aware that the ornaments are very small and are dangerous for children who mouth objects. They also require good fine-motor coordination and are generally best for 3-6 year olds.
How I Dyed the Rice
I mixed my ingredients in a jumbo-sized Ziplock bag. I used approximately 2 tablespoons of water to wet each 2 lb. bag of rice and then added red food coloring until it reached the color I wanted. Some parents and teachers use rubbing alcohol instead of water, but I recommend using water if you have a toddler who might want to taste the rice. You could use vinegar, although I was happy with the color using just water. Liquid watercolor can be used instead of food coloring, but again I recommend food coloring of some sort if a toddler might taste the rice.
Scavenger Hunt and Matching Activity – Matching Cat in the Hat Ornaments with Printables
I like to add a special hands-on activity using a free printable to the sensory bins I prepare. For this sensory bin, I used free Cat in the Hat printables from Seussville. I just printed them out and laminated them before cutting them out.
After Matching Ornaments and Cat in the Hat Printables, Counting Thing 1 and Thing 2
First Zoey found the ornaments in the rice and then matched them to the printables. She spontaneously counted Thing 1 and Thing 2 (CUTE!).
Fine-Motor Activity – Hanging Cat in the Hat Ornaments on Tree
I was a bit worried that the ornaments would be too delicate for a 2 year old. They’re very tiny and appeal to a young child’s sensitive period for small objects, but they are TINY and have thin strings.
One thing I would change is that I would put the tree in the center of the sensory bin. I moved it there later (after the video was done). Before Zoey figured out how to attach the ornaments to the tree, two ornaments fell off the branches and onto the floor. They broke but were easily fixed with my trusty hot glue gun. Still, it’s best to have any branches where there isn’t a great distance to the floor.
Proud of Her Work Hanging Miniature Cat in the Hat Ornaments on a Small Tree
It took a few tries for Zoey to figure out how to attach the ornaments to the tree, but then she didn’t have any problems. And she was so proud of her work!
Zoey (and everyone who sees it) is in love with our Cat in the Hat sensory bin! I’d love to hear about any Dr. Seuss inspired activities you’re doing! 🙂
(Note: In case you’re wondering, Zoey’s outfit is from Gymboree.)
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andrea says
February 23, 2016 at 7:10 amShe is so sweet and i love the sensory bin. such vibrate colours
Beth says
February 23, 2016 at 5:42 pmSo much fun! Thanks for sharing!
Crystal says
February 23, 2016 at 11:40 pmThis a beautiful presentation!! My son PJ and I like reading about Zoey using your invitations to play. He is always curious to know what am “lookin at” when I read your articles and often asks ” “wanna do dat?” I intend to read this in front of him afterschool as we need ample rhyming practice(: Thank you for the help and eye catching inspiration Mrs. Deb!!
swapna says
March 1, 2016 at 5:09 pmThe bin looks fabulous!:)
Jae says
March 2, 2016 at 1:06 pmI love this Deb! Thank you for sharing. I featured this in our Learn & Play Link Up this week.