20 Read Across America Day Ideas

On March 2nd we celebrate Read Across America Day and the birthday of Dr. Seuss!  Here are 20 fun activities that you can do with your kids to celebrate and encourage reading:

1. Visit your local library, check out some Dr. Seuss books and have a Dr. Seuss reading marathon.  Click here is a list of all the books Dr. Seuss has written.  If you live in St. Louis, the St. Louis County Library Headquarters is hosting a Lorax Party from 2-3:30pm.  Click here for more details.
2. Click here for a list of 75 books that build character.  Check out your favorites at the library. 
3. Attend story time at your local bookstore.  Click here to find your local Barnes & Noble.  The B&N in Ladue will be reading The Cat in the Hat at 10am.
4. If you can't make it to the bookstore, Barnes & Noble has a free online story time with lots of fun books to choose from.
5. Take the Family Reading Challenge.  Turn off your TV, cell phone, iPad, iPod and video games for 20-30 minutes each day and read together as a family.
6. Donate a book to a local school in need.  Also, there are schools in Joplin, Missouri that are still rebuilding after the devastating tornado that hit in May 2011.  Click here to find out how you can make a monetary donation to the schools.  Click here to find out how you can donate books.
7. Make a book mark.
8. Make your own hat from The Cat in the Hat.
9. Make a goldfish from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
10. Start a book exchange with other families.
11. Visit this awesome website - We Give Books - and read over 150 free books online.  For every book you read, We Give Books will donate a new book!
12. Print this free door knob hangerhttp://www.seussville.com/special/doorknob.pdf for your kids to hang on their doors when they're reading.
13. Make green eggs and ham for breakfast with this recipe.
14. Visit the Mommy and Me Book Club blog.  A group of moms and their kids read stories, do art, play games, sing songs, and eat snacks, all based around the central theme of the Book of the Week.
15. Print out these free Dr. Seuss coloring pages to color after you read the Dr. Seuss books.
16. Practice reading sight words using these free printable flash cards.
17. Check out these Tell Me A Story creative story cards.  Storytelling boosts creativity, communication skills, and literacy!
18. Visit Seussvill.com for lots of fun Dr. Seuss games and activities.
19. Find out 10 steps to teaching your child to read on the I Can Teach My Child website.
20. The new Dr. Seuss movie, The Lorax, is in theaters on Friday, March 2nd. 

Happy Read Across America Day!