I am in charge of a Polar Express party at my 2nd grader's class and I need to come up with one short activity to round it out. So far I have not found anything online, so I would appreciate any ideas you have! The party is 1 hour long. The kids are coming in pajamas, drinking hot cocoa and having a treat, we are reading the Polar Express and then Santa is coming to pass out bells to each child. I don't think that will fill the whole hour so I just need another activity.
We just went on a Polar Express train ride. One of the activities was cookies to decorate with Mrs Claus. She makes the cookies at the North Pole. I didn't know that. Cute big sugar cookie with a little dish of frosting, different sprinkles, Popsicle sticks for painting on frosting. It was fun and the kids liked it. They also colored little paper Christmas trees and snowflake ornaments.
That will fill an hour. Have then sing the "hot chocolate" song.
Well since you are allowed Santa, why not writing letters to Santa?
Or the kids could write a story about where the kids would take a magical train ride if they could go anywhere.
There are also the dice game where you roll the dice to determine what you will decorate on the scene. I wonder if you couldn't find or make one where the kids decorate a train.
As a counting activity they could make polar express trail mix - have them add a predetermined amount of marshmallows, goldengraham cereal and chocolate chips to a baggie to take home as a treat.
Pin the nose on the caribou or smoke on the train?
If all the kids celebrate, they could connect the rings for a countdown to Christmas(a ring is torn off each day). It could be connected to a bell or reindeer.
The could make a train or winter inspired book mark for all the books they will read over the Christmas break.
You may try looking on pinterest too. There are lots of hidden treasures on that site.
If you have time to fill, you could ask the kids what their #1 wish is for Christmas.
I Googled "Polar Express activities for kids" and found this. Activities, games and recipes for your theme. Click on the link to download the coloring pages and print them out, etc.
http://www.polarexpress.com/games-fun
But seriously, for an hour I think you're fine already. You could discuss the book after the reading to take up some time.
We went on the Polar Express train ride last weekend. They had hot cocoa & cookies, heard the Polar Express story, sang Christmas carols, passed by a Christmas display, had the kids show of their pjs like they were on a run-way, and Santa handed out bells... the train ride was about 2 hours.
If for whatever reason what you have planned doesn't fill up the time... sing carols with them. Maybe have them printed out so that the kids can look at them... they handed out a book with them on the train which was cool cause I don't remember them all word for word - it did help.
Most of all try to have a little fun!!
I love getting bells at Wal-Mart and letting them make them into necklaces with twine or whatever and beads. Fun!!!!!
What about pin the hat on the conducter. Could you get a picture of the conducter blown up and have them try and put his hat on?
I also like the letter writing to Santa. They could also draw a picture of what they want and put it into a red bag to be mailed to the North Pole.
