The Springfield Museums present Here for the Party: Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration, Saturday, March 4, from 10 am to 5 pm, rain, shine, or snow. Join the Museums for an all-day salute to beloved children’s author and Springfield-native Theodor Seuss Geisel on his 119th birthday! Free with museum admission.
“We are overjoyed to celebrate with Dr. Seuss fans young and old on this very special day,” said Abby Garner, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums. “This is a day to explore, be inventive, and discover your own sense of Seussian innovation!”
Visitors will have opportunities to meet costume characters of the Cat in the Hat as well as Thing 1 and Thing 2. “There is so much joy when children meet the Cat in the Hat or the Things,” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education. “Having a favorite book character come to life—and give you a high five—is just magical.”
As with all family programing at the Springfield Museums, Family Fun days like the annual Dr. Seuss Birthday celebration mix fun with learning.
Visitors can also celebrate in The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the first and only museum devoted to Springfield native Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss! The fully bilingual (Spanish and English) first floor features family friendly, interactive exhibits exploring Dr. Seuss’s Springfield roots and providing opportunities to experiment with new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, and invent stories–all in line with Geisel’s revolutionary role in changing how we learn to read—by making it FUN.
On the lower level, visitors can stop into The Cat’s Corner to engage in facilitated hands-on literacy activities. And on the second floor, which was curated by Geisel’s two stepdaughters and great nephew, visitors can see Geisel’s art studio and living room (with the furniture and art materials he actually used). The galleries also feature never before publicly displayed art, family photographs and letters, and the original Geisel Grove sign which used to hang in Forest Park. You can even find Theophrastus, the toy stuffed dog Ted Geisel’s mother gave to him when he was a boy in Springfield.
Character Meet and Greets
The Cat in the Hat, 11-11:30 am & 2:30-3:00 pm
Thing 1 and Thing 2, 11 am-1 pm & 2-4 pm
Entertainment
Giant Bubbles with Mr. Vinny, 10:30 am-3:30pm
Using wands he designed and constructed himself, Mr. Vinny will gather kids for a game of watch, chase, and pop the bubbles! (Weather permitting)
Roaming Magic with Pete & Chris Amusements, 11 am-3 pm
Join Pete and Chris Amusements as they perform magic tricks and get brains working with their selection of puzzles and games.
Balloon Hats, 11 am-1 pm
Enhance your party look with a balloon hat made by Professor Knows A. Lot.
Airborne Comedians, 1 pm
Juggling comedy show. with Dan Foley and Joel Harris.
Music By DJ TJ, 11 am-3 pm
Boogie down and dance to the beat!
Ongoing Activities
Teeny Tiny Truffula Trees, 12-4 pm
Create a fuzzy mini tree inspired by The Lorax.
Wacky Headbands, 11 am-3 pm
Create your own Seussian headgear, inspired by your favorite characters!
Guess Who?, 11 am-3 pm
Play a matching game inspired by our collections to learn more about animals!
Fish and Wildlife, 11 am-3 pm
Visit our friends from US Fish and Wildlife Service to learn more about the environment.
Scavenger Hunt, 11 am-3 pm
Explore the artwork in our galleries by participating in our scavenger hunt and win a prize!
Story Time with the Cat in the Hat, 12-12:30 pm & 2:30-3 pm
Join the Cat in the Hat for a special reading of the book that bears his name.
Live Animal Encounter, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Come learn about the animals that call the Science Museum home.
Birthday activities sponsored by TD Bank.
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The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum was created with the gracious consent of Mrs. Audrey Geisel, widow of Theodor S. Geisel, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
Please note that while the birthday activities will be open to all visitors, timed entry to the Dr. Seuss Museum is limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Visitors should arrive early to secure desired entry time.
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