Dr. Seuss has created a universe of iconic characters, from the mischievous Cat in the Hat to the compassionate Horton. Yet, amidst the rhymes and whimsy, one character stands out for his poignant message and fuzzy orange charm: The Lorax.
As we approach March 2nd (Dr. Seuss’s Birthday), families and classrooms across the world prepare to celebrate Read Across America Day. While reading the books is the main event, bringing the stories to life through art is what makes the memories stick. The Lorax is particularly special because his story bridges the gap between fun storytelling and vital lessons about environmental stewardship. As Seuss himself noted, the Lorax was born out of frustration with the state of the world—a way to teach without being “preachy.”
Whether you are looking to celebrate Dr. Seuss, preparing for Earth Day in April, or just want a rainy-day activity, these 15 Lovable Lorax Crafts for Kids are the perfect solution. We have compiled a list of ideas that use simple household materials like toilet paper rolls, paper plates, and yarn.
Let’s grab our glue sticks and “speak for the trees”!
Why Craft with The Lorax?
Before we dive into the glitter and glue, it is worth noting why this specific character is such a great subject for children’s art:
- Distinctive Features: With his bright orange fur and massive yellow mustache, the Lorax is instantly recognizable and easy for kids to replicate.
- Color Palette: The world of the Lorax is filled with Truffula trees in shades of hot pink, purple, bright yellow, and orange. It allows kids to use their brightest art supplies.
- The Message: Crafting provides a quiet moment to discuss the book’s themes—taking care of nature and the importance of not being a “Once-ler.”
1. The Classic Handprint Lorax & Truffula Scene
There is nothing quite as sentimental as a handprint craft. This project captures the size of your child’s hand forever while creating a cute piece of art.
- The Concept: Use orange paint to stamp your child’s hand on blue cardstock. The palm becomes the Lorax’s face, and the fingers are his wild hair.
- Add the Details: Once dry, add googly eyes and a big yellow paper mustache. To complete the scene, glue down green strips for grass and use pom-poms on straws to create a forest of Truffula trees around him.
2. Toilet Paper Roll Lorax
Don’t throw away those cardboard tubes! The cylindrical shape of a toilet paper roll is perfect for the Lorax’s stout little body.
- How to Make It: Paint the tube bright orange. Cut out arms and legs from orange construction paper and glue them on. The highlight, of course, is the face—use huge wiggle eyes and a yellow yarn or felt mustache.
- Activity Idea: Make a whole army of them and use them as bowling pins for a hallway game!
3. Fork-Painted Truffula Trees
This is a favorite for toddlers and preschoolers because it introduces a fun, non-traditional painting tool: a kitchen fork.
- The Technique: Dip the back of a fork into bright acrylic paints (pink, purple, yellow). Press and pull the fork outwards in a circular pattern on paper. The tines of the fork create a “furry” texture that looks exactly like the tufts of a Truffula tree.
- Finish the Look: Paint long, black-and-yellow striped trunks leading up to the colorful tops.
4. Paper Plate Lorax Mask
Perfect for school plays or just dress-up time at home.
- The Craft: Take a standard white paper plate and paint it orange (or buy orange plates). Cut out two holes for the eyes.
- The Mustache: Cut a large, bushy mustache shape out of yellow cardstock. Glue it just below the eye holes, but only glue the top edge so it “fluffs” out a bit. Staple a popsicle stick to the bottom for a handle, and your kids can instantly transform into the guardian of the forest.
5. Truffula Tree Pencil Toppers
Make homework a little more magical with these fuzzy writing companions.
- Materials: Pencils, pipe cleaners, and craft fur or large pom-poms.
- Instructions: Glue a bright faux-fur pom-pom to the top of a pencil. Wrap the body of the pencil in green or yellow pipe cleaners, or simply use a black marker to draw the signature Seussian stripes directly on the wood.
6. Salt Dough Lorax Ornaments
If you want a keepsake that lasts longer than paper, salt dough is the answer.
- The Recipe: Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Roll it out and use an oval cookie cutter.
- Creating: Bake the ovals until hard. Once cool, have the kids paint them orange. Add details with markers or felt. These make adorable magnets for the fridge or ornaments for a “Seuss Tree.”
7. Yarn-Wrapped Truffula Trees
This craft is excellent for developing fine motor skills in younger children.
- The Base: Cut tree trunk shapes out of cardboard.
- The Wrapping: Have the child wrap different colors of yarn around the top “tuft” part of the tree until it is thick and fluffy. The repetitive motion is calming and results in a textured, 3D art piece.
8. The “Mustache on a Stick” Photo Prop
If you are hosting a Dr. Seuss party, this is a mandatory craft!
- Simple Fun: The Lorax’s yellow mustache is his defining feature. Draw a large, exaggerated mustache shape on stiff yellow felt or foam sheets. Cut it out and hot glue it to a wooden dowel.
- Party Time: Set up a photo booth and let the kids pose with their Lorax mustaches.
9. 3D Cupcake Liner Trees
Cupcake liners are incredibly versatile and come in the perfect Truffula colors.
- The Project: Flatten out colorful cupcake liners. Fringe the edges with scissors to give them texture. Glue a smaller liner inside a larger one for a layered effect.
- Assembly: Glue them onto a piece of paper and draw the squiggly trunks. This is one of the quickest crafts on the list, making it great for large classrooms.
10. Lorax Mason Jar Planter
Combine the craft with the lesson of the book: growing things!
- The Make: Paint a mason jar orange. Add the face details (eyes and mustache).
- The Lesson: Fill the jar with soil and plant grass seeds or a small succulent. It serves as a visual reminder of the book’s final quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
11. Fuzzy Wire & Pom-Pom Trees
As mentioned in the book, Truffula trees take years to grow, but these take minutes.
- Materials: Thick “fuzzy” pipe cleaners (chenille stems) or quilling paper.
- Design: Twist pipe cleaners together to create the striped trunk effect. Glue a massive pom-pom on top. You can stick these into a styrofoam block to create a standing Truffula forest centerpiece for a table.
12. Corner Bookmarks
Encourage reading by making a placeholder that stares back at you.
- Origami: Fold a square piece of orange paper into a basic corner bookmark.
- Decorate: Glue the yellow mustache on the flap and eyes above it. Every time the child opens their book, the Lorax is there to greet them.
13. Pool Noodle Giant Trees
Want to go big? This is for the parents or teachers who want to decorate a reading nook.
- Construction: Use pool noodles as the trunks. Wrap them in duct tape to create the stripes. For the tree tops, use tissue paper pom-poms (the kind used for wedding decor) or balloons.
- Impact: These stand several feet high and transform a room into a Seussian landscape.
14. Egg Carton Nose Lorax
Add some dimension to your flat paper crafts.
- Recycle: Cut a single cup out of an egg carton. Paint it orange.
- Assemble: Glue this cup onto a paper plate or cardstock face to act as the Lorax’s snout. It gives the face a fun 3D pop that kids love to touch.
15. “I Speak for the Trees” Badge
Turn the craft into a pledge.
- The Badge: Cut a circle out of cardstock. Have the child draw a small Lorax or a Truffula tree in the center.
- The Text: Write “I Speak for the Trees” around the border.
- Wear it: Attach a safety pin or stick it on with double-sided tape. It empowers kids to feel like environmental guardians.
Tips for a Successful Dr. Seuss Craft Session
To ensure your crafting session is as smooth as the Truffula silk, keep these tips in mind:
- Prep the Trunks: Truffula trunks are unique because of their horizontal stripes. If working with very young kids, prep the trunks beforehand by drawing the stripes for them, or use patterned paper straws.
- Texture is Key: The book describes the trees as having the “soft touch of a tuft.” Try to use materials that feel soft—cotton balls, velvet paper, yarn, or feathers—to engage sensory play.
- Read First, Craft Later: Always start by reading the book aloud. Point out the illustrations and ask the kids to pay attention to the colors and shapes. This helps them visualize what they are about to build.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Every Craft
The beauty of making Lorax crafts for kids is that it is never just about the glue and the scissors. It is about keeping the conversation going. Whether you are painting a toilet paper roll orange or twisting pipe cleaners into trees, you are reinforcing a story about responsibility, hope, and the power of one person (or child) to make a difference.
So, this March, or any time of the year, embrace the orange. Get messy with the yellow paint. And remember, creating these memories with your children is the best way to plant the seeds for a creative and caring future.
