This year for my daughters 1st grade class, we are having a Polar Express class party at school before we break for the holidays. The kids get to wear pajamas to school which is fun in itself! Below are the crafts, activities, etc that we’ll be using for the party plus a few other fun things we are doing at home when we read the book. This is not the first time I am planning a Polar Express party. Visit this post to see how we hosted a Polar Express party for toddlers and preschoolers a few years ago. It’s one of my all time favorite Christmas books and love reading it with my children. Getting to host a Polar Express party is so much fun!

Polar Express Activities and Games:

Wear Pajamas: Wearing pjs like this kids did in the book sets the tone for a fun Polar Express Party!

Get your round trip ticket: Click here for free printable Polar Express Tickets

Read the Book: This beautiful story is what inspired the party, so start off by reading the book

Pin the Nose on the Snowman: I found this cute game from Oriental Trading. It’s easy and so festive.

Cold Snowball: Think of the game Hot Potato but a winter version. Pass around a white ball while the holiday music plays and when the music stops whoever has the “snowball” is out.

Game Prizes & Favors: There are so many cute winter prizes on Oriental Trading. These are the prizes I chose but there are tons more on their site.

Polar Express Crafts

Hot Cocoa Mug: I found this craft on Oriental Trading. It’s great because it comes with all the supplies in individual bags. This makes class party crafts really easy. I love that the kids can personalize their hot cocoa recipe and add their finger prints too (kit also comes with ink pad to add finger prints to the mug).

If you don’t have time to order the kit from Oriental Trading, here’s a similar version you can make with construction paper and pom poms.

More Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Want to make something with a handprint at the party? Visit this post of holiday handprints for ideas.

Click here for a post of 12 easy holiday crafts for kids, including this cute mitten handprint craft!

Polar Express Decor

Polar Express Free Printable: Click here for a Polar Express quote free printable sign.

Bells: What’s better decor for a Polar Express party than bella from Santa’s sleigh? Use these on the tables and maybe even have the kids jingle them in a holiday song sing a along during the party.

Polar Express Food & Drink

Hot Cocoa: A hot cocoa bar is perfect for a Polar Express Party. You can even play the Hot Cocoa song from the movie to really get the kids in the spirit. I found these cute, festive cups from Oriental Trading. The best part: they come with lids. For the hot cocoa bar, we’ll have the hot chocolate, mini marshmallows, whip cream, sprinkles and some candy canes for stirring.

Cupcake toppers: Oriental Trading had festive holiday train cupcake toppers. We’ll add these to cupcakes or muffins for Polar Express treats.

Happy party planning! Don’t forget to check out this post for more Polar Express fun.

Disclosure: We were not compensated for this post. We did however receive items from Oriental Trading for the purpose of review. As always, all opinions are our own.