Hooray for Dr. Seuss! With Read Across America Read Across America coming up soon, we took the opportunity to try out this fun and easy Dr Seuss STEM challenge. Inspired by The Cat In The Hat, I put together a simple STEM activity to stack the cat’s hat. Join the challenge and find out how tall you can stack your hat!
CAT IN THE HAT CUP STACKING GAME

FUN WITH DR SEUSS
There are so many fun ways to pair your favorite, classic Dr. Seuss books with cool STEM and science activities. Take a look at any of our Dr Seuss science activities to find a few ideas to try for Dr. Seuss’ birthday this year. Of course, Dr. Seuss is in style all year round!
Our STEM activities are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind. Easy to set up, quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home.
Turn a classic cup stacking game into a Dr Seuss STEM challenge inspired by the book, The Cat In The Hat. Everyone knows about the cat’s hat!
Can you stack the cat’s hat with just cups and paper?
DR SEUSS CUP STACKING CHALLENGE
How tall can you make the cat’s hat? Take the Dr. Seuss STEM challenge and find out!
Grab your Dr. Seuss Jr. Engineer Project and STEM Cards Pack here!
YOU WILL NEED:
- Red and White Large Cups and Small Cups
- Construction or Computer Paper or Index Cards
- The Cat In The Hat Book
- Printable Project Sheet and Challenge Cards
DR SEUSS STEM CHALLENGE SET UP
STEP 1. Prep for this activity by cutting squares of paper appropriate to the size of the cups you will be using. We used two very different size cups, so I cut two different size squares of paper in red and white.
STEP 2. Set out the stack of cups and the paper squares. Invite your kids to stack the cat’s hat!
Make sure to read The Cat In The Hat book together too! Dr Seuss STEM and literacy in one easy and fun activity!
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THE RESULTS
At first, my son just tried to stack the cups in various ways, but nothing really worked out for him. I suggested he test out the other supply that was set out for the activity, the paper.
After a few tries, he got it. This is fun for multiple ages!
Try not to jump in too quickly with the solution. Trial and error is a wonderful learning experience for young kids and a valuable lesson to learn for later.
What else can you find to stack the cat’s hat?
WHAT’S THE SEUSS SCIENCE?
Why do we use the paper squares for this Dr Seuss cup stacking challenge? The paper squares create a stable base to help disperse the weight of the cups.
To some extent, gravity helps to keep the tower up if the weight is properly distributed! What happens when it gets top heavy? Gravity can also make the tower topple over. We got to see both in action quite a few times.
Are the bigger cups easier than the smaller cups? Can you build a tower with just cups? Measure the height of your “hat”.
Looking for easy science process information and free journal pages?
We have you covered…
—>>> FREE Science Process Pack
MORE AWESOME DR SEUSS ACTIVITIES
- BUTTER IN A JAR
- DR SEUSS MATH ACTIVITY
- LORAX EARTH DAY SLIME
- LORAX COFFEE FILTER CRAFT
- GRINCH SLIME
- BARTHOLOMEW AND THE OOBLECK ACTIVITY
- TEN APPLES ON TOP ACTIVITIES
TAKE THE DR SEUSS CHALLENGE AND STACK THE HAT!
More fun Dr Seuss activities and STEM for all year long!
This activity looks like a lot of fun. I plan to use in my school library during March in honor of Read Across America.
Thanks for sharing
Now I’m really excited for Suess Week!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL IDEAS 😉
You are so welcome!Come back and visit us again!