In honor of school starting and our recent Bus Tours this summer we wanted to feature Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Has your child discovered the character Pigeon by Mo Willems yet?

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon Books.

We’re excited to welcome you to the Virtual Book Club for Kids featuring Mo Willems!

Each Virtual Book Club for Kids Co-Host will be sharing their own Mo Willems inspired post today!  That’s 16+ Activities to go with his books!

Water Color with Pigeon and the Bus

To start our Mo Willems fun we first drew the bus inspired by Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. Then we printed out coloring pages provided for free on the Mo’s website. Then it was time to paint!  

Using crayons or markers would work too but sometimes it’s that little extra element that makes a project seem special to a child. Once it was dry it make the perfect backdrop for our ABC Game!

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems: Letter Activity

Finding a match is a fun way to being to learn letters and letter sounds with a child. Use some images to discover which letter starts with that letter. We gather a few sets of letters as most usually have just one of each letters.

You could also very easily print out on paper or on your computer different types and colors of letters to add variety to the sorting game for kids.

Ask your child What Letter can get on this Bus?

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems: Create Your Own Name Bus 

We used some special letters to practice forming the letters in my daughter’s name, spouse, siblings. Another way we will use it soon it to from Word Families. Words that rhyme like -at -an -op -it will be a fun place to start to learn to read and rhyme. You could make word cards to for your child to copy onto the bus.

Ask your child What letters belong in your name?

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems: Create Your Own Family Bus

Who’s in your family? Create a special bus for Pigeon to drive with your family inside of it! My 3-year-old had fun using watercolors to paint our hand-drawn bus and including our family members inside too!

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems: Mo Willems Printables

We printed out a Pigeon from one of Mo Willem’s Websites Pigeon Presents! There are a bunch of resources on the Grown Up’s Section. While you’re there check out the Bus Facts Page. We hand-drew the bus to use for this project.

Here are a few more fun ways to learn to draw with Mo Willems.  

Here’s a quick video of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”

Check out this Knuffle Bunny Costume Idea for Kids

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems: Printables, Activities and Crafts!

• Handprint Pigeon 
• Paint Chip School Bus 
• Pigeon on a Bus Snack
• Bus Craft 
• Letter B for Bus 
• Pigeon Activity Guide from Mo Willems 
• Pigeon Needs a Bath Activity Ideas and Video
• 50+ Mo Willems Activities  
• Check out Mo’s Interview on the Today Show  and why he feels our kids need to be doodling! 

How to Join the Virtual Book Club for Kids 

We’d love to see the Mo Willems inspired activities that you do with your child or class!   Come share your activity Idea and photos on our VBC Facebook Page or in the Comment Section.

Mo Willems Activities from the Virtual Book Club for Kids Co-Hosts

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Activities 

• Cardboard Box Bus Craft & Number Game for Kids by Toddler Approved
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Activity by Coffee Cups and Crayons 
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: Puppets, Crafts and Storytelling by Playing with Words 365
• Letter B is for Bus Craft by Royal Baloo
• Pigeon Rhyming Race Activity by Growing Book by Book 
• Pigeon Handprint by Mama Miss 

Knuffle Bunny Activities 

• Mo Willems Inspired DIY Bunny Costume Felt Headband by The Educators’ Spin On It 
• Knuffle Bunny Activity Mats by ready-set-read 

The Duckling Gets a Cookie Activities 

• Counting Chocolate Chips – Duckling Get a Cookie by 3 Dinosaurs
• Nut Free Alphabet Cookies by Rainy Day Mum
• Sticky Cookie Craft by The Pleasantest Thing
• The Duckling Gets a Cookie Math Games by Inspiration Laboratories
• The Ducking Gets a Cookie Printable Clothespin Activity by Lalymom 

September Featured Author: Mo Willems

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
• Knuffle Bunny
• The Duckling Gets a Cookie

You’ll find even more ideas shared for Books and Activities by following along!

Leave a comment below for us if you’re joining the Virtual Book Club for Kids!

You may also enjoy these activities…

This math learning game is best suited for preschool – first grade.

Game adaptations are provided below.

This article contains affiliate links

Airplane Number Games

Math Standard: Recognizing the numbers 1-10

Materials Needed:

Bright Colored Paper
Black Crayon or Permanent Marker
Large Plastic Container

Directions to make:

1. Fold 10 paper airplanes.
2. Write one number on each plane.
3. Set a large bucket on the ground. Take 10 steps away and set the pile of planes down.

Here is a video on YouTube for folding this particular airplane. You can fold a bunch of the same style or fold a variety of planes and see which has the best accuracy for landing in the bucket.

If you need additional help making your paper airplane you can follow this guide for How To Fold Easy Paper Airplane.

Directions to play Airplane Number Games 1-10

Airplane Number Game Variation 1.

Let the child lightly launch all 10 airplanes toward the bucket.
When all 10 planes have landed, collect them.
Call out the numbers that made it into the bucket.
Repeat for several rounds of tossing all 10 airplanes.

Was there one airplane that landed in the bucket more often? (Older learners may be able to keep a tally chart or graph to answer this question!)

Airplane Number Game Variation 2.

Have the child pick up the airplane and call out the number of the plane before it launches.
Be silly and make up a little good luck chant like:

“Lucky Plane, number 8, land in the bucket!”

If it makes it cheer for the number. If it doesn’t, re-launch the airplane.

Repeat until all planes have landed in the bucket.
*move closer if needed!

Airplane Number Game Variation 3

Organize the airplanes in numerical order.

Fly them into the bucket in ascending (or descending order)

Make sure to call out the numbers before the planes are launched.

Don’t forget to check out Growing Book by Books’ article on Building Phonemic Awareness: Airplane Flying Sounds for an aviation spin on literacy learning!

You may also enjoy these activities for your child…

Here is one activity that keeps my 2 youngest, ages 2 and 5, happy and busy for at least 15 minutes.

DIY Travel Busy Bag for Writing Practice

Affiliate links included.

Materials Needed:

• Multipurpose Paper
• Construction Paper
• Heavy Duty Quart Freezer Bags
• Stapler
• Permanent Marker
• Low-Odor Dry Erase Marker

How to Make the Writing Practice Travel Busy Bag

1. Cut your multipurpose paper to fit inside your plastic bag.

2. Write letters, words, patterns, or shapes on the paper.

3. Stuff the paper inside the bag. 

4. Assemble a set of filled bags together with the tops facing up. Include 1-3 bags with the tops facing
down. These bags will hold your marker and eraser. The kids also like to make their own tracing sheets, so they can slide theirs into the bags that can open.  Staple one time to hold. 

5. Place the set of bags inside 2 pieces of construction paper. Staple shut at the top.

6. Cut the cover to look like a bag if you want or leave it rectangular.

How to Use the Writing Practice Travel Busy Bag

1. Sit down with your child and talk to them about the letters and the words.
2. Encourage them to trace, making sure to start at the top and using downward strokes.
3. When they are done, have them erase with a damp sock or white board eraser.

*** all baggies will work, but the heavy duty freezer bags tend to hold up better to erasing.

My 5 year old traced the letters and said them.
My 2 year old was excited to trace the circles.

Here are a few tips for the secrets to surviving a long flights with kids.

Busy Bags for Little Travelers

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Engineering Kits: Kids’ Travel Sized Stacking Cups // Lemon Lime Adventures

This activity is great for helping kids to hone in on their problem solving and building skills. Keep this activity kit in the back of your car for on-the-go engineering.

Colouring Page Airplane Scavenger Hunt // Mama.Papa.Bubba.

Print this scavenger hunt out if you are headed on an airplane trip this summer with your littles. Play this activity to encourage your little traveler to use their observation skills and record what they see.

My Busy Book for Travel // Powerful Mothering

Are we there yet? My oldest child likes to write, so having a notebook filled with little activities is the perfect way to keep her entertained and learning!

Tic Tac Toe Busy Bag // The Pleasantest Thing

Games are the perfect way to pass the time while you are waiting for your airplane to arrive. Try this updated version of the classic tic-tac-toe.

Color Road Sign Match Up Activity // Mommy Needs a Coffee Break

This busy bag is the perfect combination of math and fine motor skills.  Make sure to talk about colors and shapes. Introduce the concepts of sides and vertices too! It is amazing what little kids can learn.

Printable Road Trip Games for Kids // Lalymom

Print this packet of games, hole punch, and throw them in a 3 ring binder for easy traveling. Don’t forget to include a page of stickers in too. Encourage your child to give themselves a sticker after they complete each activity.

Free Airport Scavenger Hunt // Playdough to Plato

We always talk about expectations for behavior while at the airport. Print this sheet out before your trip and use some of the pictures to guide your discussion. Then, while you are in the airport, color in the items that you see.

Little Red Riding Hood Finger Puppets // Easy Peasy and Fun

Finger puppets are one of my go-to travel activities. They lend well to open ended play and my kids will spend at least 30 minutes creating their own stories. Print and make this set of finger puppets for a classic story-telling busy bag. Include a notebook in this busy bag for older kids to write their own spin on the story.

DIY White Board Busy Bag for Kids // Sugar Aunts

Practice building and writing words with this cute travel size white board busy bag.

Magnetic Buttons Busy Bag // Teach Me Mommy

Don’t worry about loosing your buttons on the floor of the plane (Oh, I have lost so many things on airplane floors including plastic dinosaurs). These ones have magnets on them. A great travel activity to do while you are sitting next to your child. Make sure to store the magnets out of the reach of little ones.

Transportation Memory Game // Itsy Bitsy Fun

There are many ways to get from place to place. Play a game of travel memory to pass the time while traveling with a preschooler.

You may also enjoy these activities for kids…

Plus we’ve included car and truck themed book activities to go along with these popular children’s books.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Children’s Books About Cars & Trucks

Young children love books about cars and trucks because these machines are big, powerful, and always on the move—just like their active imaginations! The bright colors, loud sounds, and exciting actions of vehicles capture kids’ attention and spark curiosity about how things work. Books featuring cars and trucks often have engaging storylines filled with adventure, teamwork, and problem-solving, making them both fun and educational.

Reading about vehicles also helps children learn new vocabulary, develop an understanding of cause and effect, and explore real-world concepts like transportation and construction.

Plus, the interactive elements—like beeping horns, rumbling engines, and crashing dump trucks—make these books especially exciting for little readers!

Car Books for Kids

Kids love reading books about cars because they combine excitement, adventure, and imagination. The fast speeds, cool designs, and thrilling journeys capture their curiosity, while stories about races, rescues, and friendly vehicles make reading fun.

Car books also help children learn about movement, problem-solving, and teamwork in an engaging way, making them a favorite choice for young readers.

C Is for Car: An ABC Car Primer by Ashley Marie Mireles

Race Car Dreams by Sharon Chriscoe

The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race by Stan Berenstain

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

Hello, World! Cars and Trucks by Jill McDonald

Wheels: The Big Fun Book of Vehicles by Tom Schamp

Bye, Car by Naomi Danis

What Kind of Car Does a T. Rex Drive? by Mark Lee

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw

Buster’s Trip to Victory Lane by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Alphabeep!: A Zipping, Zooming ABC by Debora Pearson

Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Monkey on the Run by Leo Timmers

Cars by RH Disney

Who Is Driving? by Leo Timmers

Indestructibles: Things That Go! by Amy Pixton

Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep! by Bill Martin Jr & Michael Sampson

Car Themed Book Activities for Kids

• Car Color Sort: Outdoor Math for Littles who LOVE Matchbox Cars
• Learn the alphabet with Cars: How to make Letter Matching Roads
• Transportation Theme Preschool Unit | How Many Cars Equals 1 Pound?
• SPLASH, GIGGLE, and LEARN. How to set up Car Wash Subtraction
• Learn and Zoom the ABC’s Outside : An Alphabet Car Activity for Kids
• Use Life Sized Pattern Block to Create Cars and Trucks

Little Blue Truck Books

Kids love Little Blue Truck books by Alice Schertle, with illustrations by Jill McElmurry, because they are filled with engaging rhymes, cheerful illustrations, and valuable life lessons. The stories follow a friendly blue truck as it travels through different adventures, meeting animals and helping others along the way.

The books emphasize kindness, teamwork, and perseverance, making them both fun and meaningful for young readers.

Reading these books with your child not only helps develop language skills through rhythmic, playful text but also teaches social-emotional lessons in an engaging way.

The vibrant illustrations and sound effects—like honks, beeps, and animal noises—make read-aloud time interactive and enjoyable. Plus, the gentle themes of friendship and cooperation create great opportunities for discussion.

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle

Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck and Racer Red by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck Feeling Happy by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck Book Activities for Kids

• Create this adorable Little Blue Truck Craft for hours of playtime fun with farm animals.
• Explore these fun printable activities from Little Blue Truck!
• Add a little science fun with this Magnetic Farm Activities for Kids.

Truck Books for Kids

Reading children’s books about trucks to kids sparks their curiosity, builds vocabulary, and enhances cognitive development through engaging storytelling. It encourages a love for reading by connecting with their interests while also supporting speech development and imaginative play. Additionally, reading together strengthens parent-child bonds and helps children understand real-world concepts in a fun and interactive way. Here’s a few of our favorite truck books…

I Love Trucks! by Philoemen Sturges

Lift-the-Flap Tab: Trucks by Roger Priddy

Trash Truck by Max Keane

Little Taco Truck by Tanya Valentine

Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey

Tow Truck Joe by June Sobel

Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz

The Happy Man and His Dump Truck by Miryam

Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough

Construction Truck Books

Kids love the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, because it combines two things many young children adore—big, powerful construction vehicles and soothing bedtime stories. The books feature hardworking trucks like excavators, cranes, and bulldozers, each with its own personality, working together on different jobs before winding down for the night.

The rhythmic, rhyming text and warm, detailed illustrations make these stories both exciting and comforting.

Reading these books with your child is a great way to encourage a love of reading while reinforcing routines, teamwork, and perseverance. The gentle, lyrical language and calming themes help create a relaxing bedtime experience, making them perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

Plus, the engaging truck characters make learning about cooperation and responsibility fun!

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: Spring Delight by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: Taking Flight! by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: A Thankful Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site Gets a Fright! by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: You’re Just Right by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: Garbage Crew to the Rescue! by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: Farming Strong All Year Long by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Construction Site: Road Crew, Coming Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney

The Excavator Who Didn’t Want to Dig by Kelly Pacheco

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler

Construction Book Activities for Kids

• Explore how to make a Magnetic Contruction Site Sensory Bin.
• Make roads and parking lots with this Chalkboard Town in a Box Idea.
• Bring your Construction Vehicles to the Sand at the Beach for some extra fun.

Bus Books for Kids

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Wheels on the Bus by Raffi

The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky

The Wheels on the Bus by Jane Cabrera

Bus Themed Book Activities

• Alphabet Bus Game for Kids
• Bus Themed STEM Activities
• Paper Train Fun with kids

Train Books for Kids

Want more Transportation Books? Explore the best collection of Train Books for Kids!

Why Should You Read Books About Trucks and Cars?

Reading books about cars and trucks to children has several benefits, especially for young kids who are fascinated by big vehicles. Here’s why you should consider it:

1. Encourages a Love for Reading – If a child is interested in cars or trucks, books on the topic can make reading enjoyable and engaging, fostering a lifelong love for books.
2. Expands Vocabulary – Car and Truck books introduce words related to construction, transportation, and mechanics, helping children develop language skills. Words like “excavator,” “dump truck,” and “crane” build their vocabulary.
3. Supports Cognitive Development – Learning about how cars and trucks work and what they do encourages problem-solving, curiosity, and critical thinking.
4. Strengthens Parent-Child Bond – Reading together provides valuable one-on-one time, strengthening emotional connections while making learning fun.
5. Encourages Imaginative Play – Many kids love playing with toy trucks, and reading books about them can inspire pretend play, which is crucial for creativity and social development.
6. Teaches Real-World Concepts – They often explain how things are built, how deliveries happen, and how different vehicles help communities function, giving kids a basic understanding of the world around them.
7. Helps with Speech Development – Reading aloud helps children hear and practice new sounds, improving pronunciation and communication skills.
8. Provides a Sense of Comfort – If a child is passionate about vehicles, books featuring them can be calming and reassuring, especially at bedtime.

Whether your child loves big trucks, speedy race cars, or friendly little vehicles, these books offer fun adventures and valuable lessons. Reading about cars and trucks fuels imagination, builds vocabulary, and makes story time exciting.

Explore these fantastic books and spark your little one’s curiosity today!

You may also enjoy these activities with your child…

Think Outside the BOX!

I had a big cardboard box left over from a present my son received and I saw my boys playing with it on and off. I knew I didn’t want to throw it away but I wanted to create something special for them. But what exactly?

I decided to search on Pinterest for some ideas and I came across a pin from Picklebums on “What To Do With a Big Box? – Make a Town”. I automatically knew my boys would love this! So I came up with the idea of spray painting the inside of the box with chalk paint and I grabbed my kids colorful chalk and I started creating a town for them.

Here’s how I made it…

DIY Chalkboard Box Town

Items Needed:

• 1 big cardboard box (wide enough for them to play in)
• 1 Chalk Spray Paint
• Sidewalk Chalk
• toy cars

Directions:

I started by spray painting the inside of the box (let it dry before you start drawing), then I drew a road, shopping center, parking spaces, a lake, and of course a train track.

I then added some toy trucks, cars, and trains and voila! A city in a box! The boys loved it and automatically jumped in and started playing. I believe my oldest said “This is awesome! I love it!” which totally made my day.

I truly loved seeing them use their imagination with this “city in a box” plus it entertained them for a couple of hours…win win for mommy and children!

Another cool thing is that since I used chalk I can simply wipe away and create something new and exciting for them. Have fun creating!

Annette McNally is a photographer living in Winter Garden, FL with my husband, 3 young boys, and our dog named Nala. I love crafting, reading, exercising, and being a part of my community through service but most of all I love to spend time with my family and create lasting memories through photography.

Follow Annette on Facebook  and Pinterest and Instagram.

Thank you so much Annette for sharing your fun idea of a Chalkboard Box Town. Here are a few more fun ideas using chalk! Have fun! ~Kim

Playful Chalk Ideas for Kids

• Counting Chalk Trains 
• Learning Landmarks and Math with Chalk
• The Best Sidewalk Chalk Activities for kids
• Sidewalk Painting with Siblings 
• Monster Math with Chalk
• Magnetic Construction Site Sensory Bin

You may also enjoy these activities with your child…

Here’s how to make your own.

This post contains affiliate links

This month we’re featuring Freight Train by Donald Crews for the Virtual Book Club for Kids. It’s a colorful and bright book that is inviting to babies, toddlers, preschoolers and even grade schoolers based on the extention activities you create. This activity just take 4 materials from around your house to create , a little bit of time to create and then you have your own train!

One of main focuses of this activity is to just play and have fun with the concept of a train with your child. Be creative who can the passengers be? They just might inspire a train story of your child’s own. Allow older kids to “create” their own train cards by using their engineering skills too.

Paper Train Tutorial for Kids

Freight Train by Donald Crews

To start this book themed fun with the Freight Train be sure to read the story together. As you’re reading discuss the various styles of trains and colors. This is one of those books that your child will quickly pick up and start to read on their own as well building confidence in their reading abilities.

Once you’ve read it a few times it’s time to create a TRAIN!

Materials

• Colorful Cardstock or Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tape
• Stuffed animals or plastic animals

Directions for Train

Create your own paper train using paper by folding in the sides on the paper on each side evenly. Approximately 1 inch worked best of our paper that was 81/2 by 11 inches. For little hands you can start the fold and have them help you push it down. For bigger kids let them experiment to create.

Once folded unfold the paper to expose the fold lines for your child. Have them cut on the line on two sides of the paper to create a place to fold the extra paper behind.

Fold paper in on each side to create the side of the train. Then tape on the interior and exterior for stability.

Cut out black circle for the wheels of your train cars and attach with glue. Perfect task for little hands to practice fine motor skills.

Now it’s time for creative play with your trains!  Find some special stuffed animals to ride in your train cars to retell the story!

There are so many fun ways to play with these little paper train cards that you’ve created from cardstock. We add stuffed animals to our for playtime. You could sort things by color just like the book or even create a number or alphabet train too.

Let your child discover a variety of ways to play with trains to move items.

Train Themed Games and Activities

I’ll be sharing MORE ideas soon for Trains to go with Freight Train. Here are quite a few more for a Train Themed Preschool Week with your child.

• Train Themed Snack Idea
• Train Name Activity
• Exploring Magnets with Trains
• Train Books
• Train Math Activities
• Learn to Read with Trains

Donald Crews Virtual Book Club for Kids Activities

Now go check out some creative ideas that have been created by the Virtual Book Club Bloggers this month for each of the three books by Donald Crews !

Activities to Go Along with Freight Train

• Shape Train Matching by Toddler Approved
• Learning Your Name Freight Train by Growing Book by Book
• Color Freight Train by 3 Dinosaurs
• Freight Train Counting Games by Inspiration Laboratories

Activities to Go Along with Ten Black Dots

• Dotted Pattern Play by Mama Miss
• Black Dot Printing by Rainy Day Mum

Activities to Go Along with Truck

• Three Truck Inspired Activities by Lalymom

Your child may also enjoy these activities…

Here’s how to make this train themed ideas with your preschooler.  

Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links to Amazon

We’re featuring Donald Crews

 for the Virtual Book Club for Kids this Month!  One of my favorites books by him is Freight Train.  It’s such a fun way to teach colors and types of train cars to children.  My two year old is learning her colors and letters so this made a perfect opportunity for her to work on both at the same time with this activity.

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Make your Own Color Name Train

Materials Needed

• Paper
• Paint or Dot Markers
• Scissors
• Glue

Activity 

Before we began we read the story together.  She LOVES trains so it kept her attention over and over again.  Then we talked about the color and how we should make our own color train.  While she was with me we drew out and cut out the letter in her name, you could also do that before had too.

She helped me put the tape on the back and tape the letters onto the train cars. It was fun to talk about the letters and whether they were round or straight. We also talked about which direction they went. Once they were attached, it was time to Paint!

Using the Dots Markers, she created four train cars. While she was painting, she took extra caution to go on the edges of each letter so that they would show up when the project was complete. Once the paint is dry, you can remove each of the letters to reveal a big surprise! Letters!

Then I  gave her the wheels and the glue sticks and told her to attach to the bottom of each train car.  She was so excited about this independent project.

We hung the train up on the wall talking about the order of her name.  Throughout the week we will find those letters and practice forming her name with them using magnetic letters, LeapFrog Letters, and Letter Beads and all sorts of letter formations around the house.

Alphabet Train… this little name train just may become an alphabet train by the end of the week with how much she loved using the Do-A-Dot Rainbow Markers .

Make Your Own Train Snack 

Now it’s SNACK TIME! We created a simple train for snack time.  Just using 3 ingredients, cheese, grapes and carrots.  I  I showed her how to make the first train and track but then allowed her to make the rest.  She was trilled to have her own cheese train with fruits and veggies!

Look for more Train Ideas?

You may also enjoy these train activities for kids…

Exploring Science with Trains

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Research Before Beginning Kids Activity

I admit that I am not an expert when it comes to magnets, but I wanted to have a basic understanding of some key terms to be better able to explain them to my children. A quick 3-5 minute article will help me make sure I’m using some rich vocabulary words in the right way.  

Most teachers get science manuals where this background information is provided to them prior to teaching it to a class; there is no reason we can’t be prepared either!

Here are some links to articles about magnets that I read to learn more.

• Fun facts about magnets for kids
• How magnets work
• Magnetic activities for older students (or parents like me who want to learn more)
• Magnet Overview

In the following activities, children will use trains to explore magnetism.

***Parent NOTE: Parent supervision is recommended for every project and activity featured on this blog.  We use magnets to explore and learn with for preschool, but please be aware that magnets are hazardous if swallowed. Read through the activity before you decide if it is appropriate for your child.  Do not give magnets to young children who still put things in their mouths.***

Activity 1: What objects are magnetic?

Materials:
Wand magnet or wooden train with magnet
everyday materials

Directions
Talk to your child about magnets.
Magnets have the power to attract, stick, or pull together other objects.  
Explain that on the end of the wooden train is a magnet that can attract other magnetic items.  Go on a magnetic walk around your house and try to find objects that are magnetic (meaning they will stick to your train magnet)

Activity 2: How strong is your magnet?

Magnets come in different sizes and strengths.  In this activity, children will explore the strength of the magnets inside the trains. They will see how many paper clips the magnet will hold in a chain. Before beginning, have your child write their prediction down on a piece of paper.  Will your train magnet hold up 1 paper clip? 2? 3?

Materials:
Wand magnet
Wooden train with magnet
small paper clips

Directions
1. Attach the paperclips to the magnet in a line. Go slowly.  When the magnet is no longer strong enough to hold the next paperclip.  Then you are done.
2. Repeat the exploration several times for accuracy.  Sometimes, the paperclips will fall off when little hands bump them.  (This activity is also great for honing fine motor skills)
3. Vary the activity using other trains. Is each train magnet the same strength?  How do you know?
4. Compare the strength of another magnet, such as the wand magnet, to that of the train magnet.

Activity 3: The Mystery of the Moving Train, Attract and Repelling

Magnets have North and South Poles. Opposite poles attract, like poles repel. In this activity, children explore this concept of attracting and repelling in attempts to move their trains without touching them!

Materials:
Wand magnet
Wooden train with magnet
Wooden train tracks

Directions
1. Put the wooden train on the track.
2. Using the wand magnet or another train, see if you can make the train move without touching it. (repel)

Here are some additional activities that you can do with your kids to help them learn with trains:

• Read train-themed books together.
• Play train games, such as “I Spy” or “Simon Says.”
• Sing train songs.
• Go on train rides.
• Visit a train museum.
• Build a train set together.
• Draw and color pictures of trains.
• Write stories about trains.

By doing these activities with your kids, you can help them learn about reading and math while having fun at the same time.

Preschool Train Activities

• Learning to Read with Trains
• Preschool TRAIN Math Activities
• Train Books for Kids and Reading Tips
• Name Train Craft Project
• Moving Train Game – A Stem Activity
• Fingerprint Train Ornament
• How to Make a Paper Train with Kids
• Number Train Math Activity

You may also enjoy these activities with your child…

Preschool Math Activities with Trains

Preschool math is about counting and number sense (what the number represents) and a whole lot more. When you think of building a strong mathematics base for your child, think beyond the highest number your child can count to.

Preschool math is about Numbers, Counting, Operations (adding and subtracting), Shapes, Sorting, Measurement, Spacial Relations, Vocabulary, and Sequential Order!! 

Here is an article, “The Essential Guide to Preschool Math” on the education.com website I found helpful when thinking about the skills I need to work on with my preschooler. I thought it gave a great quick over view of the concepts I’ve learned about in my education and experience as a kindergarten teacher.

I am a huge believer in PLAY; both planned and spontaneous, free play opportunities for young children, but I also believe that we can use our children’s enthusiasm and excitement for the things they enjoy to teach them as well.  Don’t feel you need to do these activities all at once.  Maybe try to do one a day.  Repeat often and extend them to meet the needs of your child.  

These are just a few of the things my 4 year old and I did….

Activity: Color Sorting and Matching

Materials:
Color rectangles
Trains of different colors

Directions:
1. Sort the trains by color.
2. Match them to the appropriate colored paper.

Teacher Note – We had a great discussion about where to put the trains with 2 colors and ones that did not match any on our paper colors.  These “minor” problems allow our little ones to exercise some problem solving which is great for critical thinking.

Activity: Counting and Number Operations

Materials:
trains
number cards

Directions:
1. Start by lining up your trains on the track and counting them.  Have your child touch each train as they say the number.
2. Now comes the possibilities of ways you can extend this preschool math activity

• Give your child a number card and have them build a train with that many cars on it.
• Say a number and have your child build a train with that many cars on it.
• Build a train for your child while they have their eyes closed.  Have them open their eyes and tell you (without counting) if it is less than or more than 5 cars.
• Build 2 different trains and ask how many cars there would be if you added them together – then do it to see if they were right (addition).
• Start with a large train.  Count the cars and then have your child take 2 away and tell you how many cars are left. (subtraction)

Activity: Sequencing Flip Book, Math Vocabulary Activity

Materials:
Paper
Marker or crayons

Directions:
1. Start by explaining the words First, Next and Last.
2. Write these words on the top of the flip book for your child or let your child write if they are already writing (mine isn’t yet). They could trace your writing with a yellow highlighter if you wanted some handwriting practice.
3. Ask them what typically comes first on a train – the engine.  Draw it and color.
4. Then talk about what comes next and do the same for the box car, coal car, or whichever car they choose.
5. Last, add the caboose.
6. When you are done, practice reading the words and talking about the order or sequence of the train cars.

Activity: Preschool Number Train; Movement and Math Activity

Materials:
Chalk
Sidewalk or driveway

Directions:
1. Draw a really LLLLOOOOONNNGGGG track across your driveway and add a bunch of rectangles with circle wheels.  Nothing fancy, but make the squares a little bigger than your kids shoe size.
2. Write numbers on the train, saying them out loud as you write them.
3. Have your child walk the train, or number line and say the numbers as he steps on the number car.
4. Challenge your preschooler to hop to the number 7, skip to the 11, or walk backwards to the 8, and then run back to the beginning.
5. See if they can stand at the FIRST part of the train or the LAST.
6. Play around with the numbers AND get your kids moving with all sorts of little made up games!

Playful Preschool Train Unit

• Exploring Magnets with Trains – Simple Science
• Learn to Read with Trains
• Fingerprint Train Ornament
• Train Books for Kids and Reading Tips
• Name Train Craft Project
• Moving Train Game – A Stem Activity
• How to Make a Paper Train with Kids
• Number Train Math Activity

You may also enjoy these activities with your child…

Disclosure: Amazon Affiliate Links included. All opinions express are my own.

The Best Train Books for Kids

As a kindergarten teacher, I would read a variety of fiction and non-fiction literature out loud to the children in my classroom on a daily basis. Studies have shown that there are numerous benefits to reading out loud to your children including language, word knowledge, rhythm of words, and a caring bond with the care-giver.  

As a parent, I try to apply this same philosophy in our home, by purchasing or checking out from the library an assortment of both fiction and non-fiction text. It is important to read a variety of different books with your kids!

• Don’t forget to talk about the story and pictures as you read.
• Make predictions.
• Ask questions!

Here are a few more tips for teaching your child to read as you explore these terrific train books!

Fiction Train Books

• Locomotive by Brian Floca
• The Little Red Caboose (Little Golden Book) by Marian Potter
• Freight Train by Donald Crews
• Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
• The Goodnight Train by June Sobel
• How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton
• Trains by Byron Barton
• Terrific Trains (Amazing Machines) by Tony Mitton
• Train by Mr. Elisha Cooper
• Peace Train by Cat Stevens
• The Little Engine That Could (Little Golden Book) by Watty Piper
• The Little Engine That Could (90th Anniversary) by Watty Piper (Dolly Parton)
• Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres
• Santa and the Goodnight Train by June Sobel
• Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
• Subway Ride by Heather Lynne Miller
• Subway by Anastasia Suen
• Subway Story by Julia Sarcone-Roach
• The Littlest Train by Chris Gall
• I Love Trains by Philemon Sturges
• Trains Go (Vehicles Go!) by Steve Light
• Thomas and Friends: My Red Railway Book Box by Rev. W. Awdry
• Alphabet Trains by Samantha R. Vamos
• Train Man by Andrea Zimmerman & David Clemesha
• Trains Coming Through!: My First Book of Trains by Stephanie Morgan
• Trains Run! by George Ella Lyon (Author), Benn Lyon
• The Goodnight Train Rolls On! by June Sobel & Laura Huliska-Beith
• Clackety Track: Poems about Trains by Skila Brown

Although you see a set of Thomas books for little ones in the list above, I am NOT a Thomas the Train book fan. Sorry to offend those of you who enjoy them, but I find them dry, long winded, and not witty. We owned several and just passed them on for someone else to enjoy, because I didn’t like them.

The board books, however, weren’t all that bad. Short, sweet, and to the point, not great literature (In My Opinion) but ok for ADDING to your train book stash. PLEASE, even if you love Thomas the Train books, read some other train books with your children as there are truely some AMAZING stories about trains that you don’t want to miss.

Want more transportation books? Explore the best children’s books about cars and trucks!

Non-fiction Train Books

My 2 oldest children LOVE learning about trains. Trains are a great topic to introduce your children to using a non-fiction text.  We actually own 5 out of the seven pictured books in this section and read them often! I keep them in the wooden train storage bin for easy play extensions. See if the books you choose have a glossary or an index.  

Grab a fiction and a non-fiction story about trains and compare the two.  How are they similar? How are they different? What clues tell our little readers that they are reading real information and not a made-up story? These conversations are important in developing reading skills.

• The Big Book of Trains (DK Big Books) by DK
• Lonely Planet Kids How Trains Work by Clive Gifford
• Train (DK Eyewitness Books) by John Coiley
• My Big Train Book by Roger Priddy
• Train: The Definitive Visual History by DK (Author), Smithsonian Institution
• My Best Book of Trains by Richard Balkwill
• All Aboard Trains by Mary Harding
• My First Book of Trains: All About Locomotives and Railcars for Kids by Kristina A Holzweiss
• Trains Then and Now (Smithsonian Kids First Discovery Books) by Scarlett Wing
• Steam, Smoke, and Steel: Back in Time with Trains by Patrick O’Brien
• Trains: The World’s Most Scenic Routes by Publications International Ltd.
• Seymour Simon’s Book of Trains by Seymour Simon
• National Geographic Readers: Trains by Amy Shields
• Trains! (Step into Reading) by Susan E Goodman
• My Little Golden Book About Trains by Dennis R. Shealy
• Trains by Gail Gibbons

Train Book Activities for Kids

We have rolled through this Month with a TRAIN theme, complete with MATH, READING, CRAFTS, and SCIENCE activities for preschoolers all about trains.

I like to combine books with learning activities! Read a book, do an activity. This will enrich and extend your child’s reading experience.

Stop by these train ideas for some learning activity inspiration.

1. Exploring Magnets with Trains; Simple Science
2. Learn to Read with Trains
3. Preschool TRAIN Math Activities
4. Name Train Craft and Snack
5. Moveable Cardboard Train and Train Track Craft
6. Paper Train Tutorial for Imaginative Play
7. Snowflake Train Game
8. Train Themed Counting Game for Kids
9. Math Games with Trains 
10. Reading Activities with Trains
11. Fingerprint Train Ornament