Grinchy Activities for the Whole Family to Enjoy!
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is back at Children’s Theatre Company! This all-time family favorite musical brings alive the songs, the story and the Seuss in mega-doses of spirited storytelling and fanciful rhyme. Come boo! the most loathsome Christmas villain – and woo-hoo! for this beloved holiday tradition, guaranteed to grow anyone’s heart three sizes.
Keep the holiday fun going with these Grinch-related activities to do with your children! Talk about what traditions make your family holiday special (just like the Whos!), stir up some green slime for a great science and tactile-learning experiment and find out just what makes Mr. Grinch so Grinchy.
“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why – no one quite knows the reason.”
Role on the Wall
What makes the Grinch so grumpy? And, why does he hate Christmas? Read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, then draw a picture of the Grinch. Post your picture on the wall (or use magnets to put him on the refrigerator); then, brainstorm all the external events, characters or other factors that happen to the Grinch in the story, and write them on the outside of your Grinch drawing.
Think of the internal emotions that the Grinch might feel after each of those events, or how he might feel after talking to a character, and write them inside the Grinch figure. For example, how do the Whos make the Grinch feel? Lonely, or sad, or angry? What about Christmas? It makes him mad!
Afterwards, talk about the cause of each external factor and its internal effect. This will help create a deeper understanding of the character, especially the Grinch as a villain, and open a conversation about empathy for others.
“Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…”
Who-Customs and Holiday Traditions
With their stockings, their toys, their roast beast and Who-hash, the singing and Christmas bells ringing – the Whos have a lot of holiday traditions.
The Who-toys make a lot of noise, and they’re also very unique! Design your own Who-toy – what does it do, how does it work and what would you name it? Draw a picture, or take things from your recycling bin and create your toy! (Be sure to ask a grown-up for help using sharp objects or glue!)
Or, concoct your own Grinchy-Green slime! We found four great recipes (that don’t use Borax!) on WikiHow, but you can certainly make up your own: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Slime-Without-Borax (We recommend adding some red heart-shaped beads to your green slime to really get in the Grinchy spirit!)
What fun foods might you serve at a Who-feast? Create a menu from all the food groups, and write recipe cards for your Who-dishes.
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small” loves to gather together and sing! Does your family have a favorite song to sing around the holidays? Compose your own Who-song or Who-carol, complete with Seussian words from How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and perform it for your family! Teach them your song, too, and you might have a new favorite song to sing ALLtogether.
What are your family’s holiday traditions? Talk with your family about any traditions your have makes them unique to you, and share any favorite memories.
“The Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!”
What grows your heart?
The Grinch finds out that being good to other people makes him happy, and that’s when his heart grows three sizes. What makes you happy? Draw a heart outline on a large piece of paper – then, find pictures of things that grow your heart in recycled magazines or newspapers, and glue them inside your heart. Think about why these things make you happy, and also how you can help make other people happy. (Don’t forget to ask an adult for help using sharp objects and glue!)
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is on stage at Children’s Theatre Company now through January 7, 2018 – get tickets today at childrenstheatre.org before the Grinch steals them all!
