Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss — DIY Green Eggs and Ham Costume
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” — Dr. Seuss
To celebrate Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Garrett’s school is hosting a costume parade on Friday. I decided to make a Green Eggs and Ham costume for him and wanted to share a sneak peek of the process. Below you’ll find an overview of the materials, progress photos, and tips for creating a comfortable, kid-friendly costume. I’ll publish a complete step-by-step DIY tutorial once everything is finished, and for now this preview should give you a good head start.
Materials and Supplies
Here are the main supplies I used to create the Green Eggs and Ham costume. These are simple, affordable items you can find at most craft stores or order online:
- Green fabric or felt for the egg body
- White felt or fabric for the egg whites
- Poly-fil stuffing (I used about half a bag)
- Velcro for closures and easy on/off
- Basic sewing supplies: thread, needles, pins, scissors
- Lightweight foam or interfacing for shaping, if desired
- Optional accessories: green face paint, a lightweight hat, or a toy spatula
Progress and Construction Notes
I started by sketching a simple egg silhouette and cutting two matching shapes from the green fabric. I left an opening for stuffing the poly-fil, which gives the costume its rounded, puffy look. Using only about half a bag of poly-fil was enough to achieve a soft, full shape while keeping the costume light enough for a child to wear.
Velcro works perfectly for closures because it’s quick to attach and easy for kids to manage. I picked up velcro to sew onto the openings so the costume can be put on and taken off without fuss. If you’re sewing by hand, make the attachment points strong—reinforce the corners with a few extra stitches so the velcro doesn’t pull free.
Comfort and Safety Tips
- Keep the costume lightweight. Heavy layers will make the child uncomfortable during a long parade or classroom event.
- Ensure visibility and mobility. Leave ample space around the arms and legs so your child can walk, sit, and move close enough to peers.
- Ventilation matters. Avoid sealing the costume completely—small openings near the neck and under the arms help keep the wearer cool.
- Secure closures. Use velcro or snaps instead of buttons for fast on/off and to minimize choking hazards.
- Test the fit. Have the child try the costume and move around before the event to check for rubbing points or distractions.
Inspiration and Additional Ideas
If you love Dr. Seuss, there are lots of fun ways to extend this costume into a full character ensemble. Consider pairing the Green Eggs and Ham body with a simple Sam-I-Am hat, themed accessories, or printed name tags that reference the book. For classroom celebrations, encourage comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers under the costume.
For a variety of Dr. Seuss-themed ideas and activities, check blogs and resources that focus on Read Across America projects and classroom celebrations. Many craft blogs offer printable reading logs, parade planning tips, and variations on classic costume themes.
Update
Update (3/5/2015): The costume is complete and I posted the full instructions on the blog. I’ll return with a detailed DIY plan that includes pattern pieces, step-by-step photos, and sewing tips so you can recreate this costume at home. Thank you for stopping by—if you enjoy easy, kid-friendly crafts, consider following for future tutorials and quick project ideas.