The Polar Express Movie: Educational Activities and Games for 2 to 5 Year Olds

Let's face it, kids love movies, but it's been proven that they should watch no more than 2 hours of TV a day. So why not combine their love of a movie and activities that will help them learn and grow? Following are suggestions for the movie The Polar Express released in 2004. These activities would also work well for preschool classes and party games for this age group.

Watch the movie

Let your kids watch the show while you prepare the activities for the rest of the day or attend to other responsibilities.

Stop and Go Train

Hold on to your child's hand and tell them you are going to be a train. Begin by saying "All Aboard" and "Go". Start walking after a short amount of time say stop. You can have the "train" move in different ways such as hopping, skipping, running etc. This game helps your child gain coordination. The also learn how to listen to and follow spoken directions.

You can also say this poem and do the actions it suggests, younger children will especially enjoy the poem because of the repetition and rhythm. Choo-Choo TrainThis is a choo-choo train,
Puffing down the track.
Now it's going forward
Now it's going back.
Now the bell ringing,
Now the whistle blows.
What a lot of noise it make
Everywhere it goes!

Listen for the Bell

Find a bell. Tell your child you are going to go to a different part of the house, and that they need to listen for the bell to be able to find you. Hide somewhere then ring the bell until your child finds you. Let them take a turn being the one who hides and rings the bell.

Read a Book

Children are fascinated by trains, which is part of the allure of The Polar Express. Make reading an enjoyable experience by reading about things your child enjoys. Involve your child in reading the book. Ask them questions about the pictures and story. Following are a few suggestions of books for this age group.

• The Goodnight Train by June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith
• Freight Train/Tren de carga by Donald Crews
• Thomas and Friends: Blue Train, Green Train (Bright & Early Board Books(TM)) by W. Rev Awdry and Tommy Stubbs
• Magic Train Ride PB w CD (Barefoot Singalongs) by Sally Crabtree and Sonia Esplugas

Snack Time

On the train the children are served hot chocolate and cookies. Have your child help you make the hot chocolate and enjoy it together.