Fun Activities To Go With "The Polar Express" Story (2024)

1-2-3 Come Do Some Polar Express Activities With Me

“All Aboard! The Polar Express is now leaving for the North Pole!”
Do you read this classic Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg?

It’s a personal favorite of mine, especially because Chris is from my home town here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so you can imagine how popular this book is with the teachers in my school.

With that in mind, I decided to make 3 Polar Express craftivities that would reinforce some language arts standards. First up, is the Lit Express.

As you can see by the pictures, I chose Christmas colors of red and green for my train, but you can run off a variety of colors of construction paper and give children a choice.

By the looks of the photograph the train appears small, but the pattern for each car takes up a full page. I purposely made the templates large, so that there's plently of room for wtudents to write.

Teachers can make the train, laminate & then do this as a whole-group discussion activity with preschool and kinders, writing their answers down with a dry erase marker, then reviewing the story.

Older students can make their own Polar Express.

I suggest doing this over a few days, making several cars each day, or sending part of the project home to be completed there, and then returned.

There are 5 “print & go” cover options to choose from. Pick your favorite, or give students a choice.

There are full color patterns to use for an independent center, as well as a sample to share, plus a black & white pattern, so students can make their own.

When everyone is done, practice retelling “The Polar Express" using the manipulative. Everyone starts by turning their wheel so that the boy in his pajamas appears in the “pie-slice window”, then call on a child to begin the story,

Continue to turn the wheel, calling on different students to tell you that portion of the story, explaining the “picture prompt”.

For writing practice, and to assess & check comprehension, and reinforce the “sequencing a story” standard, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened” writing prompt worksheet.

Besides BW, there’s a full color template so you can quickly & easily make an example to share, or do as a whole group activity with little ones.

I’ve also included a circular “Polar Express” puzzle. Use the colorful patterns for an independent center, and the black & white version so students can make their own puzzle to take home.

The base, which students place the puzzle pieces on, includes ordinal numbers so you can practice that standard as well.

Finally, my personal favorite is this Polar Express "flip-the-flap" Train Engine booklet. It too, is a super-fun way to practice the "sequencing & retelling" a story standards.

Run off the engine on construction paper.

I chose the Christmasy colors of red & green, but you could print on a variety of colors and give children a choice.

Students color, cut & sequence the “window pages” and then glue them to their train.
Gluing a child’s school photo peeking out the Engine’s window, makes them the conductor, and adds to the “awww” keepsake factor.

Another way for students to sequence the story, is with the “Let’s Sequence The Polar Express” worksheet.

Children color, cut and glue the “picture tiles” in the correct order on the train car “windows”.

I’ve included a full-color version for teachers. You can do this as a whole group with little ones, as well as make up some independent, reading center activities.

To assess and check comprehension, I’ve included a “Here’s What Happened” worksheet for older students.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a TICKET to ride "The Polar Express" in your classroom.

Besides the colorful ticket, I've also included a BW option, but I think it's more fun for children if they get a lovely and vibrantly colored ticket.

Also in the packet, is an "I Believe!" gift tag to attach to a Christmas jingle bell.

Sign your name on the back after the "A Merry Christmas Remembrance From", add a date, then run off.

A room helper can cut the tags out, fold them in half and glue the front and back together.

Punch a hole at the top, insert a piece of ribbon or yarn (curling ribbon is inexpensive & adds extra pizzazz) then tie on a bell. The entire thing can be hung on a tree. Pass out to your kiddos as they leave for vacation.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for breezing in.

As usual I'm off and running today. This Santa's elf has much to accomplish.

Wishing you a very merry day filled with the wonder of Christmas.

"The true magic of Christmas, is not in the presents, but in His Presence." -Unknown

FAQs

Fun Activities To Go With "The Polar Express" Story? ›

Once on board, you will travel to the “North Pole” while we read the story of The Polar Express. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Chefs will dance through the cars as each ticketed passenger is served hot chocolate and a cookie treat.

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What do you do on The Polar Express? ›

Show Me More ›

What food goes with The Polar Express? ›

Standard: Passengers receive hot cocoa (served in a quality paper cup), a cookie, a silver sleigh bell, and a golden ticket.

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What is the story behind The Polar Express? ›

In the movie, a doubting young boy didn't believe in the spirit of Christmas like everyone else. The Polar Express train saw this as a possibility to change the boy's life to show the true meaning behind this holiday with a train ride to the North Pole.

Is there a deeper meaning to The Polar Express? ›

The Spiritual Aspect Of Santa Is Further Hinted At

The Polar Express comes to a heartwarming conclusion with the Hero Boy embracing his belief in the holiday season and Santa Claus himself. This is signified by the bell under the tree on Christmas Day.

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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.

Is the mom in The Polar Express pregnant? ›

The mother is pregnant. The detail only appears for three seconds when the boy is looking through his keyhole to spy on what his sister is saying to their parents. The next morning, spoiler alert, he opens his presents and finds the bell from Santa that only him and his sister could hear.

Fun Activities To Go With &#34;The Polar Express&#34; Story (2024)

FAQs

Fun Activities To Go With &#34;The Polar Express&#34; Story? ›

Is there a deeper meaning to The Polar Express? ›

Fun Activities To Go With "The Polar Express" Story (2024)

Fun Activities To Go With "The Polar Express" Story? ›