If you’re looking for a fun and easy Cat in the Hat craft for kids, this printable activity is the perfect place to start. Inspired by the classic Dr. Seuss story, this hands-on project lets children create their own version of the iconic red-and-white–striped character while connecting creativity with reading.

This activity includes a free printable template for simple prep and is perfect for Read Across America Day, classroom literacy centers, or themed Dr. Seuss crafts at home. Preschoolers and early elementary students will love stamping dots, cutting, and assembling their craft while building fine motor skills and reinforcing story comprehension.

cat in the hat craft image collage with the words cat in the hat painting in the middle

Cat In The Hat Printable Craft

This activity is part art, part craft, which means it’ll appeal to lots of different children.

All you need to do is grab some paper, paint, glue, and a few other supplies and you’ll be ready. Not only will this craft help keep the kids engaged, but it’ll also help with fine motor skills!

Supplies

Colored cardstock
Scissors
Glue
Red paint
Q tip or pencil with eraser
Cat in the Hat template (click the “click here to get your freebies” image at the end of the post)

Click here to see our favorite kids’ craft supplies.

Directions

Start by downloading the template and printing it out. Once the template is printed, gather the materials for this fun activity. Get those scissors ready, and let’s help the kids bring this Cat in the Hat to life!

hand holding cat in the hat craft template

First, guide your child to grab a pencil or a q-tip – we’re going to use the eraser side of the pencil or the cotton end of the q-tip as our paintbrush. Dip it into a small pool of red paint, and then make dots all around the top, middle, and bottom portions of the hat. Now, add dots all over the bow tie as well.

hand painting dots on cat in the hat craft with back of pencil eraser

Next, cut out the pieces then glue the body to the front of the cat’s neck.

hand gluing body to cat in the hat craft

Click here to see why I recommend these craft supplies

Take the cat’s white fur and glue it in the middle of the body.

hand gluing white fur to cat in the hat craft

Now, help your child to position the bow tie in the middle of the neck and glue it down.

hand gluing bowtie to cat in the hat craft

Glue the hat to the top of the head. Pull the ears forward, right on top of the hat.

Finally, encourage your child to glue the Cat In The Hat into the colored paper.

hands gluing cat in the hat craft to blue piece of paper

Be sure to check out our Grinch activities while you’re here! Your kids will love creating more fun DIYs like this one!

Dr. Seuss Books To Read

We can’t talk about Read Across America Day without mentioning books, right?! There are so many awesome Dr. Seuss books. Read them during the week leading up to the big day, or just read them before bedtime.

These are some of the top Dr. Seuss books. Grab them from the library or buy them from Amazon to add to your home library collection.

Are You My Mother? is a cute book about a little bird who’s trying to find his mom in a big world!

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! – This book is a classic Dr. Seuss book about the ups and downs of life. It’s such a great read and will soon become your kid’s new favorite book!

Dr. Seuss Second Book Collection– This boxed set of five Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss—The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Dr. Seuss’s ABC, Oh Say Can You Say?, Oh the Thinks You Can Think!, and I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! is a great addition to your home library.

Dr. Seuss Pre K Crafts

Torn Paper Thing 1 Craft – Using simple supplies and a little creativity, your child can create their very own Thing 1 masterpiece! As they tear the blue paper to create the character’s iconic hair, they’ll develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s also a great way to teach kids how to follow directions.

Cat In The Hat Toilet Paper Roll Craft – This Dr. Seuss Cat In The Hat craft couldn’t be easier for young kids to make!

They’ll love creating the iconic character using a toilet paper roll and some basic craft supplies. And don’t worry if you have older children – they’ll love this simple Cat in the Hat craft, too!

Horton Hears a Who Handprint Craft – Looking for some Dr. Seuss handprint crafts to make with your child? This one’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!

They’ll have a blast making their very own Horton using their handprints for his ears. This great craft is an easy way to introduce little ones to the world of Dr. Seuss!

Sam I Am Puppet Craft – Paper bag puppets are some of our favorite crafts for kids. They’re just so easy to make, and the possibilities are endless! This Sam I Am puppet craft is great for little kids who are fans of Green Eggs and Ham. They’ll love acting out the story with their very own puppet!

Dr. Seuss Kindergarten Activities

In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd, these free printable Dr. Seuss headbands are the perfect way to celebrate!

Kids can choose from different characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Horton, and The Lorax. Wear them while reading your favorite Dr Seuss books, or use them for a fun dress-up activity!

These free Dr. Seuss color by numbers worksheets are great for practicing number recognition and color-matching skills. Your little ones will love coloring in the fun illustrations! Print them out to enjoy on National Read Across America Day – your kids will love them!

collage of dr seuss kindergarten activities

This truffula tree painting for kids is a fun way to bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life! Using paper straws, pom poms, and watercolors, your child can create their very own colorful truffula tree. It’s a fun craft activity for younger kids!

Try this Dr. Seuss printable activity set next time you need a quiet activity for your little ones. It’s a complete collection of themed worksheets to engage and inspire your kids on a rainy day. From word recognition to color matching, these worksheets are an easy, no-prep activity.

Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!

For a chance to have your child’s project featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!

4.89 from 9 votes