Make an iconic Dr. Seuss costume for kids, toddlers, or adults in under 2 hours — no sewing required. Perfect for Dr. Seuss Day, Read Across America, and school Spirit Week.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the mischievous blue-haired duo from Dr. Seuss's classic 1957 picture book The Cat in the Hat. They burst out of a red box brought by the Cat, wearing identical red jumpsuits and wild blue afro wigs, and immediately cause cheerful chaos throughout the house.
Because the two characters are always a matching pair, the Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume has become one of the most popular choices for best friends, siblings, twins, and parent-child duos at school dress-up days, Halloween, and Read Across America Week.
Every year on March 2 — Dr. Seuss's birthday — schools across the United States celebrate Read Across America Day. Students and teachers dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 consistently rank among the top costume picks because they are instantly recognizable and easy to make.
The shirt is the centerpiece of any Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume. The good news: you only need a plain red t-shirt and a few craft supplies. The imperfect, hand-painted look actually makes it look more like the Dr. Seuss original.
| Item | Notes | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plain red t-shirts | One for Thing 1, one for Thing 2 | Michaels / Walmart |
| White fabric paint | Brush-on type works best | Michaels / Hobby Lobby |
| Black fabric paint | For lettering and outline | Michaels / Hobby Lobby |
| Paint brushes (2 sizes) | One wide, one fine-tip | Any craft store |
| A round bowl or lid | Used as a circle stencil | Your kitchen |
| Cardboard or folder | Insert inside shirt to prevent bleed-through | Around the house |
| Permanent marker | For tracing the circle outline | Any store |
If you prefer not to paint, print a Thing 1 or Thing 2 logo onto iron-on transfer paper and press it onto a red shirt with a household iron. This takes about 15 minutes total. Search for "Thing 1 Thing 2 iron-on transfer" on Etsy for ready-made digital downloads, or find free SVG files for Cricut and Silhouette machines by searching "Thing 1 Thing 2 SVG free."
Video: A step-by-step walkthrough of the fabric-paint shirt method — the same technique described above.
The signature wild blue hair is what makes a Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume instantly recognizable. You can build one in about 20 minutes using a beanie hat and a feather boa.
For toddlers and young children, the easiest approach is to buy a pre-made red onesie or romper and add a Thing 1 or Thing 2 iron-on patch. Several sellers on Amazon and Etsy offer Thing 1 and Thing 2 toddler costume sets that include the shirt, number patch, and sometimes a small wig.
For older kids who want a more complete look, adding a blue tutu skirt over leggings creates a fun variation that is popular for girls. Pair it with the red shirt, blue wig, and red-and-white striped socks for the full Dr. Seuss effect.
For teachers and adults, the same shirt-and-wig combination works perfectly. Many teachers dress as Thing 1 and Thing 2 together for Read Across America Week, sometimes adding a blue tutu or blue accessories for extra flair.
| Age / Size | Recommended Approach | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / Infant (0–18 mo) | Pre-made onesie with iron-on patch; skip the wig for safety | $8–$20 |
| Toddler (2–4 yrs) | Red t-shirt + iron-on patch + small blue wig or headband | $10–$25 |
| Kids (5–12 yrs) | DIY painted shirt + DIY boa wig (most fun option) | $8–$15 |
| Teens & Adults | DIY shirt + store-bought blue afro wig | $12–$20 |
If you need a costume fast or prefer a polished finish, several retailers carry official Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume sets for all ages.
Widest selection of sizes from infant to adult. Filter by Prime for next-day delivery.
Shop AmazonHandmade and customizable options, including toddler sets, iron-on transfers, and SVG files for Cricut.
Shop EtsyOfficial Dr. Seuss licensed Thing 1 & Thing 2 deluxe costume sets for kids and adults.
Shop SpiritThe core items are two plain red t-shirts, white and black fabric paint, a round bowl for stenciling the circle, and a blue wig or blue feather boa to make the wig. The entire costume can be assembled for under $15 using supplies from any craft store.
Yes. The fabric-paint method described above requires no sewing at all. Alternatively, iron-on transfer paper lets you print the Thing 1 and Thing 2 logo at home and press it onto a red shirt with a regular household iron in about 15 minutes.
Search for "Thing 1 Thing 2 SVG free" to find free cut files compatible with Cricut and Silhouette machines. For iron-on transfers, search "Thing 1 Thing 2 iron-on transfer printable" on Etsy, where many sellers offer low-cost or free digital downloads. You can also trace the logo freehand from a copy of The Cat in the Hat — the imperfect look is part of the charm.
For toddlers, a pre-made red onesie or t-shirt with an iron-on Thing 1 or Thing 2 patch is the safest and most comfortable option. Skip the wig for very young children and instead use a blue headband or blue bow. Amazon and Etsy both carry toddler-specific sets in sizes 12 months through 4T.
Dr. Seuss Day falls on March 2 every year, which is the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). It coincides with Read Across America Day, organized by the National Education Association to promote childhood literacy. Schools across the United States hold Spirit Week events where students and teachers dress as Dr. Seuss characters. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are among the most popular choices because they are easy to recognize, work perfectly as a pair costume, and can be made quickly at home.
Yes, once the fabric paint has fully cured (allow at least 24–48 hours after painting), the shirt can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cold water. Turn the shirt inside out before washing to protect the painted design.
If you cannot find a blue wig, a blue feather boa glued to a beanie hat (as described in the wig guide above) is the most common DIY alternative. Other options include a blue yarn wig made by looping blue yarn through a hat, or simply wearing a blue headband with blue pom-poms attached. Dollar Tree often carries blue wigs and boas at low cost around Dr. Seuss Day.