Today we are doing a Polar Express craft! Kids of all ages will love this paper plate Polar Express craft. We’ll be making the pocket watch from the beloved children’s Christmas movie, The Polar Express. This craft is not only budget-friendly, but also easy to make. You can make this Polar Express craft at home or in the classroom.
Polar Express Craft
The Polar Express is a great Christmas movie and this craft is a fun way to pair a movie and a craft whether you’re counting down the days until Christmas or whether you’re needing inside activities because it’s cold and icky outside.
Kids can practice their fine motor skills and get into the Christmas spirit with this super fun and sparkly Polar Express craft! This craft is great for schools having a Polar Express day, or a Polar Express party, or just because it’s December. Toddlers, preschoolers, and even kindergarten students making the pocket watch from this magical adventure. So, without further ado, let’s make the pocket watch from the Polar Express movie!
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Related: We have another Christmas paper plate craft you may like.
Supplies Needed To Make This Polar Express Craft
How To Make This Polar Express Pocket Watch Craft
Step 1
Trace the outline of the watch on the back of a paper plate.
Step 2
Cut the outline out.
Step 3
Take a second paper plate and place the outline over it, trace the triangles using the pencil.
Step 4
Paint the outline yellow.
Spread a thin layer of glue onto the outline and then sprinkle gold glitter all over it.
Craft Notes:
Put something like a pan, a tray, or craft paper under the paper plate to catch excess glitter. This will help prevent glitter being found in your house for years to come.
Step 5
Paint the left side of the second paper plate (the triangle) red and the right triangle green. Let it dry.
Step 6
Use the black marker and write “On Time” at the top. Late on the right side with: almost, a bit, kinda, very, extremely, and don’t forget the stars with white dots. On the bottom make a “window” and write Dec 24. The right side should say early with: almost, a bit, kinda, very, extremely and swirls at the top and bottom and next to the word early.
Step 7
Glue the glitter outline onto your paper plate.
Step 8
Cut out a fat T from yellow construction paper and glue it to the back of the paper plate. Add glitter and gold glitter to it.
Step 9
Add a black hand to your watch using your marker. And you’re done! Now you have your own Polar Express pocket watch.
How To Make This Polar Express Craft Your Own
Just like all our other crafts, you can make this Christmas craft your own. You could do things like:
- Draw an outline on 1 paper plate instead of using 2.
- Don’t use glitter.
- Use metallic paint.
- You could use construction paper or card stock.
- Add a yarn “chain”.
- Use a smaller paper plate and turn it into a Christmas ornament.
- Make a moveable hand.
- Make these Polar Express activities less of a mess and use crayons or colored pencils to decorate it.
Our Experience With This Polar Express Craft
My family loves Christmas and all things Christmas movies. That includes The Polar Express. So, I thought it would be fun on movie night to make our own Polar Express pocket watch and my kids loved it!
My kids love all things messy so paint and glue was right up their alley, but it was super cool to see things from the movie come to life as well. It made the movie more special and it can promote pretend play.
Though, I highly suggest you seal the glitter before letting kids play with it. I learned that the hard way, in hindsight, probably should have used metallic paint, but we use what we have on hand. And it never hurts to bust out the vacuum, gotta work off all those cookies and Christmas treats! We wish you a Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
Materials
- Paper Plate
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Red Acrylic Paint
- Green Acrylic Paint
- Black Marker
- Elmer’s Glue
- Gold Glitter
Instructions
- Trace the outline of the watch on the back of a paper plate.
- Cut the outline out.
- Take a second paper plate and place the outline over it, trace the triangles using the pencil.
- Paint the outline yellow.
- Spread a thin layer of glue onto the outline and then sprinkle gold glitter all over it.
- Paint the left side of the second paper plate (the triangle) red and the right triangle green. Let it dry.
- Use the black marker and write “On Time” at the top. Late on the right side with: almost, a bit, kinda, very, extremely, and don’t forget the stars with white dots. On the bottom make a “window” and write Dec 24. The right side should say early with: almost, a bit, kinda, very, extremely and swirls at the top and bottom and next to the word early.
- Glue the glitter outline onto your paper plate.
- Cut out a fat T from yellow construction paper and glue it to the back of the paper plate. Add glitter and gold glitter to it.
- Add a black hand to your watch using your marker. And you’re done! Now you have your own Polar Express pocket watch.
More Christmas Crafts From Kids Activities Blog
Want more crafts to celebrate the holiday season? You can have so much fun with these other Christmas crafts!
How did your Polar Express craft turn out?
