One of our favorite books this time of year is The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg. Kids of all ages love this story and enjoy it year after year. One great way to extend the story is with a free Polar Express Train Ticket. Whether you are having a Polar Express party, a Polar Express movie night, or a Polar Express day at school, you will love these printable tickets, great ideas, and free resources!
Printable Polar Express Tickets
I created two different designs for this Christmas season depending on the age of children you are giving the tickets to and what Polar Express themed activity you are doing. Plus, I couldn’t decide between the two so you get to choose from both for free.
The first design is a simple blue ticket with the word “believe” across it. These also could be used as bell tags that are attached to a bell keepsake or party favor. I like the simplicity of the one word to reflect on and wonder about. Because it has a dotted line, kids can even trace it. Plus, it’s the big theme of the movie and book.
Instead of printing on gold paper, I made gold tickets for the second design. This one mentions a round trip to the North Pole and says the name of the train, The Polar Express. This is the fancier version.
The tickets are large. They take up a third of the page. I did this intentionally so they could work as an invitation. If you want them to be smaller for a bell tag or a drawing for a prize, print them at 30%.
Print you own Polar Express ticket and use it as a bell tag, an invitation to a movie night, or as an invitation to a Polar Express party. There are so many ways to use this new ticket!
Polar Express Family Movie Night
We love watching this classic movie together. Invite friends over or watch it as a family. Give this special ticket as an invitation to the movie night. It’s a great way to make it a special event. Make a big batch of hot chocolate and watch the Polar Express Bell become the first gift of Christmas. Attach the blue ticket to a bell and gift it to children after they watch the movie.
This is a great addition to the classroom too this holiday season. Give each student a ticket as an invitation, make it a pajama day, and watch the movie. Extend the movie with snacks, crafts, and activities (below).
Polar Express Themed Party
Turn your ordinary Christmas party into a Polar Express party with fun games, snacks, and decorations. Primary Playground shows you how to make a huge batch of hot cocoa for a big group. Play and sing along to Christmas music like Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Nest of Posies has a simple Polar express coloring page that you can print and have out for kids to work on.
Check out these Polar Express Crafts for simple party ideas. The paper plate conductor hats and simple lanterns are my favorite crafts. I also think the train ticket dice game is a fun way to practice counting and number identification.
Polar Express Activities
Use our printable tickets and go on a pretend train ride. Use boxes and laundry baskets for your train. One person can wear a hat and be a train conductor. Opportunities like this for pretend play after reading a book or watching a movie are priceless!
Another of our Polar Express printables that you will love are the Polar Express Color by Number pages. These include a ticket, a bell, hot chocolate, a train, and Santa.
A collection of our favorite Polar Express crafts and activities. From games and learning activities to pretend play and crafts, these are a great way to extend the book after reading it.
Whole Child Homeschool shares a printable pack or learning activities that go with the Polar Express and hot chocolate too. These include a scientific investigation, a beginning sound sort with a Polar Express theme, and a hot chocolate word bank for your writing center.
Download your Free Polar Express Tickets
(personal use only)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!