Family Movie Night Activity: The Lorax
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better… it’s not.”
Ted lives in Thneedville and has a crush on a girl named Audrey. When Ted goes on a journey to find a real truffula tree for Audrey, he meets the Once-ler who tells him all about the Lorax and why there aren’t trees anymore. Use these activities to make the most of The Lorax movie at your next Movie Night.
Movie Snacks
*Ted gets caught day dreaming when he winds up kissing his cereal box. Have breakfast for dinner in his honor. You can keep it simple with cold cereal, cook up pancakes (like the Once-ler has with the Lorax) or choose your favorite breakfast-for-dinner meal.
*The Once-ler pacifies all the animals with marshmallows. Have marshmallows for your family to snack on while they watch the movie or go crazy with a whole marshmallow buffet. Remember to have different sizes and flavors of marshmallows, make chocolate dipped marshmallows, and other marshmallow goodies like rice crispy treats or Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies.
*Ted imagines himself at Audrey’s party where she’s about to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Have some birthday cake or make some of these fun Truffula Tree Cupcakes for dessert.
Must Pause Moments
*When Ted starts talking about trees his Mom shows off their Oak–a–Matic. When she changes the tree to Disco mode, be sure to get up and dance along.
*When The Once–ler first sees Truffula trees he’s amazed at how beautiful they are. When he’s looking out over the valley full of them, pass out some paper and paint and let everyone make a finger painting of their first impression of Truffula trees.
*When someone wonders “what the next million–dollar invention’s gonna be” stop the movie and let everyone in your family decide what they would invent to make a million dollars.
Other Activities
*Ted’s mom has a Family Game Night and what better activity to combine with your Family Movie Night. Grab your favorite board games, card games or even some fun outdoor games. Play some games before you get the film rolling or if you’re worried about having too many things planned for one night, just invite your family to Family Game Night at the end of Family Movie Night.
*After watching the movie, you might just want to have a Truffula Tree of your own! Make this cute Truffula Trees Pencil Craft and then you won’t have to worry about getting in trouble with The Lorax to get a tree.
*The Lorax is just one of the many fun books by Dr. Seuss. Be sure to read the book and compare it to the movie to see what parts are the same and what is different. While you’re at it, check out some of the other Dr. Seuss books like Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Horton Hears a Who.
*If you want to be more like Ted then you and your family can plant some trees too. Whether you’ve been planning to add a tree to the backyard or even if you don’t have a space of your own and just donate to a foundation that will plant a tree in your behalf, the Lorax will love you for helping by planting a tree.
*LyndiLou* — I speak for the Movies
Rated PG for brief mild language; 86 min; Directed By Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda
The Lorax
The Lorax, a furry, mustachioed mystical creature may be orange, but he’s 100–percent green. Based on the Dr. Seuss book by the same name, The Lorax is an environmental parable about the dangers of corporate expansion at the expense of natural resources. In the totally synthetic town of Thneedville, Ted (voiced by Zac Efron) embarks on a journey to find a tree to win the affections of Audrey (Taylor Swift). He encounters the Once–ler (Ed Helms), who shares the cautionary tale of pillaging the terrain against the wishes of the Lorax (Danny DeVito).
ClearPlay In Action!
The family–oriented Lorax is rated PG for brief mild language. ClearPlay cuts some humor regarding bodily functions. Kids should enjoy the production values and funny surprises. Parents may appreciate the pro–environmental message.
Will The Lorax save the earth, or merely tell us what it’s worth?…
While its story–telling doesn’t feel much like Dr. Seuss, The Lorax has exciting action scenes, cool art design, and some nice musical numbers that don’t take themselves too seriously. All in all, it’s one of the more satisfying Seuss adaptations, and should please most members of the family.
Marty Nabhan— ClearPlay Tree–hugger
Rated PG for brief mild language; 86 min; Directed By Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda