A Cat in the Hat bookmark craft is such a fun way to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Suess’ birthday. This easy bookmark is made using shrink plastic and a Dr. Suess-themed picture of your choice! Made in minutes, this DIY bookmark is so easy for kids to create using their imagination.
When the kids were little, I loved Read Across America week. They were always making fun crafts to encourage more reading. And now, you have a great way to celebrate this fun “holiday” at home with a craft that doesn’t require a ton of supplies or make such a mess!
Read Across America Day is celebrated every year on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The event is part of an initiative created by the National Education Association to encourage reading in children.
Make a day of it, and celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with pancake stacks, Lorax pretzel snacks, marshmallow treats, and a ton of other fun Dr. Suess themed activities.
How to Make a Cat in the Hat bookmark craft
Supplies needed for a DIY bookmark:
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- Shrink Plastic in White
- Colored pencils
- Cat in the Hat book (or book of your choice)
- Hole punch
- Paper cutter
- Scissors
- Oven
- Parchment paper
- Embroidery floss in red and white
- Tape
What is shrink plastic?
Do you remember using shrink plastic? I’m willing to bet that you made all sorts of crafts with Shrinky Dinks when you were little. Well, guess what?! It’s still perfect for crafts for grown-ups, too!
If you don’t know, Shrinky Dinks is a kit of polystyrene sheets that can be cut with standard household scissors. It’s then baked at which point it hardens and “shrinks” into its shape.
Instructions for a cat in the hat bookmark:
Watch the video below to see the step-by-step process, then follow the instructions below.
- Find a picture you would like to make into a bookmark. I used one from The Cat in the Hat book but any Dr. Seuss book or any book at all would work fine.
- Lay a sheet of the shrink plastic over the top of the image in the book.
- Then, trace your image with colored pencils filling in any areas with color.
NOTE: The outlines and shading will appear to be very light but will darken considerably once baked. - Next, trim the shrink plastic to size with a paper cutter and/or scissors. Using a hole punch, punch a hole in the top of the bookmark before baking, but do not add the string.
- Bake only the bookmark, following the package directions.
TIP: Use a piece of parchment paper on the top and bottom to keep curling to a minimum. - Once baked and shrunk, remove from the oven and then allow to cool.
- Finally, thread the white and red embroidery floss through the top of the bookmark and tie off.
TIP: Use a bit of tape on the end to help thread it through the hole.
Celebrate Read Across America Day with a Cat in the Hat activity! A quick and easy project that they will love to make.
You will love the professional look to these bookmarks as well. The shrinking makes the colors darken as well as the lines look even better. Grab some shrink plastic and get started on your own version today.
Love Cat in the Hat activities? Try these other links!
- Free Dr. Seuss Coloring Pages
- Printable Seuss Quote Bookmarks
- Free Printable Dr. Seuss Art
- Cat in the Hat Marshmallow Treats
- Dr. Seuss Crafts and Activities
Supplies
- Shrink Plastic in White
- Colored pencils
- Cat in the Hat book or book of your choice
- Hole punch
- Paper cutter
- Scissors
- Oven
- Parchment paper
- Embroidery floss in red and white
- Tape
Instructions
- Find a picture you would like to make into a bookmark. I used one from The Cat in the Hat book but any Dr. Seuss book or any book at all would work fine.
- Lay a sheet of the shrink plastic over the top of the image in the book.
- The trace your image with colored pencils filling in any areas with color. NOTE: This will appear to be very light but will darken considerably once baked.
- Next, trim the shrink plastic to size with a paper cutter and/or scissors. Using a hole punch, punch a hole in the top of the bookmark before baking, but do not add the string.
- Bake only the bookmark, following the package directions.
- Once baked and shrunk, remove from the oven and then allow to cool.
- Thread the white and red embroidery floss through the top of the bookmark and tie off. TIP: Use a bit of tape on the end to help thread it through the hole.
- Your Dr. Seuss bookmark is ready for any book!
this is a perfect activity for my daughter!