10 Activities for The Polar Express — Creatively Teaching First (2024)

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is my absolute favorite Christmas story to read in the classroom and at home. It is such a magical story where a little boy takes a ride aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole. This is a story for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas!

I can’t wait to share 10 Polar Express activities with you today that I use in my classroom and go right along with this magical story!

I use these Polar Express activities as stations. My class and I have so much fun spending the day reading the story, completing these 10 activities, watching the movie, and enjoying a snack. These activities can be done on one day or spread throughout a week or month. We complete these activities on the last day before break. I use these in place of our traditional reading and math stations. This way, it is nothing new and my students already know how to rotate to different stations. These activities can easily be done whole group or individual work as well! The stations/activities are engaging, fun, and full of literacy, math, and STEM skills.

Prior to our Polar Express day, I send a note home to parents inviting my students to wear their pajamas to school. On the last day before winter break, we have our magical Polar Express day! Students will start out by receiving their very own Polar Express train ticket. I like to have these waiting on their desk when they arrive. On our projector screen, I share an image of the Polar Express. The kids are so excited when they walk in!

The Polar Express Activity #7 - The Polar Express Round Trip Ticket

Students will create their very own ticket for the Polar Express. Students will write or draw a picture of what word would be on their Polar Express ticket. There are 2 differentiated options included!

The Polar Express Activity #8 - A Cup of Hot Cocoa Word Problems

With this Polar Express activity, students will read and solve math word problems on cups of cocoa. A cup of hot cocoa is not complete without marshmallows! Once each problem is solved, students will glue a marshmallow on each cup. This is a fun little incentive for solving the problem. There are two differentiated options included!

The Polar Express Activity #9 - Snow Spelling

The Polar Express goes through snowy mountains on the way to the North Pole. My students LOVE this Polar Express activity! Students will write their spelling words or sight words in the snow. You could use shaving cream, salt, etc. to be pretend snow. I like to use shaving cream because it is easy to wash off and it cleans the table too :)

The Polar Express Activity #10 - The Polar Express Train

This activity was quick and easy to prep! I printed the train cards, laminated, and cut apart. The I put a colored different colored dot on the back of each train set using a permanent marker. This makes it easy to identify a missing train to the correct set. I put each train set in a plastic bag.

Each train car has a number on it. Students put their train together by ordering the numbers from least to greatest!

Hot Cocoa and Cookie Decorating

After we complete the stations/activities, it is time to watch the movie with hot cocoa and a decorated cookie! I find it easiest way to do this is to use a crock pot. However, one year I was so tired (and pregnant) and it was just too much work to carry in a crock pot to school. Instead, we drank chocolate milk instead and the kids were just as excited with that!

I bought premade cookie dough that was already cut into shapes (best thing ever) and I just baked these the night before. I brought in the cookies and had a few parents donate supplies to decorate. The students enjoyed their hot cocoa and cookies while watching the movie. It was a great way to end the magical day!

I also have some EXCITING NEWS! These Polar Express read aloud activities are now DIGITAL! There are 10 digital activities ready to go on Google Slides. First, students will listen to the Polar Express read aloud by watching a video directly on the Google Slides. Students will be able to type, drag, and drop while completing the 10 engaging activities!

10 Activities for The Polar Express — Creatively Teaching First (2024)

FAQs

What is first class on the Polar Express? ›

First Class features plush furniture, large picture windows, and climate control for comfort. All guests will receive: Cocoa served by the car's chefs in THE POLAR EXPRESS™ souvenir ceramic mug. A cookie. A surprise treat.

What is the summary of the Polar Express? ›

How famous is the Polar Express? ›

Later re-releases helped propel the film's gross to $318.2 million worldwide, and it was later listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film. The Polar Express was also the last film appearance for Michael Jeter before his death in 2003 and is dedicated to his memory.

What did the kids eat on the Polar Express? ›

In the film, one of the passenger cars is briefly transformed into a dining car so the children can get served hot chocolate, but there is not a separate dining car. Unlike in the film, where the children are only served hot chocolate, there are also cakes, muffins, and cookies.

What does the Polar Express teach? ›

Parents need to know that, like the book that inspired it, the The Polar Express has wonderful messages about the importance of believing, the value of friendship, respect for leadership and courage, and the beauty of being kind to others.

What is the first present in the Polar Express? ›

The boy is handpicked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. Realizing he could choose anything in the world, the boy asks for a bell from Santa's sleigh. An elf cuts a bell from one of the reindeer's harnesses.

What is the message behind The Polar Express? ›

Aside from believing in Santa and the spirit of Christmas, the film also shows that this holiday is about sharing kindness with those around you.

What is the main theme of The Polar Express? ›

The Polar Express is based on themes of believing and the magic of Christmas. The boy boards the train as a skeptic and meets other children who have the same feelings. The conductor leads the way for them to get back that childhood view of Santa and finally, Santa in the flesh proves himself to be real.

What is an interesting fact about The Polar Express? ›

The Polar Express was the first feature-length film to be entirely created using motion capture technology. This revolutionary technique allowed the animators to create a highly realistic 3D world without having to draw each frame. The result was a unique and stunning visual style, unlike anything seen before.

What does the hobo in Polar Express represent? ›

The hobo's identity is never revealed in the movie, leaving it open to interpretation as to who he is and what his true purpose is. Some fans have speculated that he is a representation of Santa Claus, while others think he may be a guardian angel sent to look after the children on their journey.

What was the inspiration for Polar Express? ›

Here's the scoop: The animation team modeled The Polar Express locomotive after Pere Marquette Railway No. 1225, which is 2-8-4 Berkshire wheel arrangement built by the Lima Locomotive Works in October 1941.

Why is The Polar Express so good? ›

Despite its flaws, the Polar Express has some neat scenes with a beautiful Christmas message. There are some clever animations with, for its time, eye-pleasing CGI tricks and angles you can't recreate in real life.

What food do they eat in Polar Express? ›

During THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, passengers are served hot cocoa and a cookie, delight in lively songs and dance, and enjoy a reading of the holiday classic, The Polar Express. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers deboard to watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas.

What is the plot in Polar Express? ›

What does the conductor say in Polar Express? ›

The Conductor: Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

What is the difference in seating on the Polar Express? ›

FIRST CLASS: Pods of four seats facing each other with a small table in between. Sold in groups of four with a commemorative Polar Express mug (must purchase a seat for everyone in your party) Includes complimentary digital photo download. PREMIUM UPPER DOME CAR: Mix of booth seating and set of captain's chairs.

Where's the best place to sit on the Polar Express? ›

It doesn't really matter what side of the train you sit in (or what train car you ride in) because it's dark and there isn't much to see during the ride, however, at one point during your ride at the end you will be asked to go to one side of the train to see “The North Pole” for an outside show!

What is the difference between standard and premium tickets on the Polar Express? ›

All ticket holders receive Hot Chocolate and Cookies. Coach seating will receive a single serving of Hot Chocolate and a Cookie. (Lap children are excluded) Premium Seating receives unlimited Hot Chocolate and Cookies and a souvenir ceramic mug for the current year. (Lap children are excluded.)

What is the difference between the cars on Polar Express? ›

The biggest difference between the First Class and Coach cars for the Polar Express Train ride is that first class has tables. Coach is more like an airplane with seats and an aisle through the middle. You also get a souvenir Polar Express Mug per ticket in First Class.

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