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(This blog post has been updated for 2024)
Happy Saturday, you guys! I just wrapped up creating and uploading all of my printables for Polar Express Day! And I’m so excited to share them with you!
Are you visiting for the first time? You are still able to grab my free Christmas school calendar! You can download it below and you can also join our Christmas School FB group here 🙂 It is full of the most wonderful mommas!
Keep reading below for more details on Polar Express Day! 🚆
PS: Want the full Christmas School Bundle? This 362 pg. PDF is packed with all the fun Christmas School activities to do this month! It comes with a detailed teacher guide, master supply list, suggested reading list, themed snack pictures, grocery list, bookmark and punch card trackers for your kids, and an easy-to-print option at the back of the PDF based on grade levels!
Day #3. Polar Express Day!
Here is what we are planning to do today! 🙂
Just a reminder that my kids are in 4th, 2nd, and PreK grades. If you have different ages and feel like what we are doing isn’t something your kids would be interested in, feel free to scroll below! I’ll add more activity ideas at the bottom of each blog post.
Activities
I made two different printables for my kids. Today might feel a little bit simpler and more laid-back compared to Candy Cane Day, mostly because a majority of our special time is going to be making popcorn and watching The Polar Express as a family later 🙂
My plan is to have my kids do this Polar Express Ticket – Watercolor Art project (with a secret message hidden inside!). Then they are going to use this printable to make a jingle bell ticket ornament, which they can choose to make for someone as a gift or put on our tree. My kids seemed excited when they saw me making tickets, so I’ll make sure they have extra to play with too 🙂 Maybe I’ll have them give me a ticket to come watch the movie later haha!
And then we’ll end our activity time by playing a fun jingle bell toss game too!
#1. Polar Express Ticket – Watercolor Art (with a secret message hidden inside!)
You’ll notice that there is a pretty big blank space on the ticket. This is for YOU to fill in! 🙂
After you print this page out, take a WHITE crayon and write a special word or short message for your child.
They will then use watercolors to paint this and while doing so, uncover your secret message to them! ❤️ You could let them know ahead of time or just leave it for a surprise. I think this would be the perfect way to inspire them or give them a compliment by choosing a word that you think best describes them (or something they’re good at). Or just write a simple, “I love you” or “you are amazing”!
Encourage your kiddos to choose a paint color that is a little darker. Using lighter colors will make it a little more difficult to see the white crayon show up (although you should be able to make it out still).
*You can improvise and try using regular paint that has been very slightly watered down, if you don’t have any watercolors.
**This works best if you print it out on cardstock paper!
***Make sure to let the printable dry for a bit before painting to avoid any black smearing 🙂
#2. Jingle Bell Ticket Ornament
I think this would make a really cute gift for a family member or friend! You will have your child color the ticket beforehand (you can see that I skipped this step in my hurry to post this haha!). There is also another ticket option that doesn’t have the inspirational word (that way your child can choose his/her own word or message).
You will need this printable, scissors, twine or ribbon, hole puncher, jingle bells, and something for them to color the ticket with! If you have a laminator and laminating sheets, it would probably be a good idea to laminate the ticket after they are done, but it’s not necessary.
DIRECTIONS:
STEP #1. Print out the page you want (there are two different options). You can print a page with some inspirational words already written inside OR some tickets without a special word so that your child can write a message to someone or choose his/her own word.
STEP #2. Have them fill in and/or color their tickets!
STEP #3. Cut out the tickets.
STEP #4. Punch a hole on the edge of the ticket.
STEP #5. Run a piece of twine or ribbon through the hole.
STEP #6. Add their jingle bells to the twine as well, placing them in front of the card. Adjust and play around with the placement of everything before tying the twine shut. Depending on the size of the jingle bells you’re using, you might want to set it up differently.
You’re done! They can now hang this on your tree or gift it to a loved one 🙂
#3. Jingle Bell Toss
I thought this game looked like something my kids would all enjoy! You just need some cups (or any variety of containers) and a bunch of jingle bells! Set up something like this and have them start playing! See who can get the most, who can get it from the farthest away, or set up two different areas and put a timer on to turn it into a race for who can get the most in under one minute! I definitely plan to play this with them 🙂
Snack
I will be making this little Polar Express train snack using a graham cracker, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, and some small Reese’s. Super simple and easy!
We will also be having some popcorn later with our movie!
Books
(Note: I only skimmed this book, so be sure to skim it also if you want to make sure it’s something your family values align with).
Today we’ll be reading “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg and then we’ll be watching the movie tonight as a family.
In case you don’t have the book or don’t make it to the library, here is the YouTube Read Aloud link for this book 🙂
Do You Have More Time? Here Are Some Extra Ideas!
#1. Make a train ornament! Betty from Mom Brite has a great tutorial you can follow. And instead of the yellow paper in the train window, you could cut and glue a picture of your child instead.
#2. Make a Lego train!
#3. Watch a video on YouTube about the history of trains! We will be watching this video below.
#4. Follow along with this tutorial to draw a Christmas train!!
I hope you guys have a wonderful day! I can’t wait to see everything you and your kids create and do! Check back soon for my Hot Cocoa Day post 🙂
PS: If you haven’t grabbed my Christmas School calendar yet, you can download it below for free!
