Welcome to TRAIN week, where the STEAM learning is abundant! Trains are another favorite with our crew, so we had a lot of the supplies around the house. Turn a cheese & cracker lunch plate into a train, or learn about chain reactions with toy trains and tracks. Make a train out of sponge paint, create a funicular train out of toilet paper rolls, and so much more!
Train reading!
Refer to your own preschool board books for train learning, and source your local library
Freight Train sponge painting!
Need: tempera paints in rainbow colors, sponges cut into squares, black marker, paper, small circular sponge brush for wheels (optional)
Refer to the book Freight Train by Donald CrewsFirst, draw the track with black markerNext, sponge paint colorful train cars across page and add black wheels
Toot toot!Masterpieces!
Train snacks!
A train-themed lunch!
We used: crackers, cheese, white cheddar puffs, veggie straws, baby carrots, blueberries, & animal crackers. Deacon (age 4) created this totally on his own!Train snacks (or dessert)! Need: granola bars cut into rectangle & triangle shapes, Cheerios, Nutella or peanut butter, & mini vanilla wafers. Yum!
Train collage!
Train collage!
Need: 9×12” white paper, construction paper scraps cut into various shapes, marker, glue stick, and chalk pastel or crayon for the clouds Cut, layer, glue, & add designs with marker & crayon! Mixed media collage is a wonderful way for preschoolers to practice skills (like cutting and gluing) they will use in the classroom.
Train chain reactions!
Wooden trains & tracks are extra fun when unusual toys (like stuffies or dominos) are added
We incorporated a lesson in physics by lining up wooden animals and dominos to see if our trains could knock them over. These train chain reactions are a super easy theme-based activity that required no prep.
Train word search!
Ronan (age 7) created a train-themed word search for his little brother (age 4). During the process he also learned how to use a ruler to hand draw a grid.
He came up with this idea on his own- a perk of inquiry-based learning- and then helped his brother when he got stuck. This was also a great opportunity for him to be a teacher, and for teamwork. Win win!
Funicular train!
Need: string, painters tape, TP rolls. See my Trains Pinterest board for detailed instructions
Out & about!
We scoped out local train tracks and waited for trains to pass by (safely & from a distance). So loud and so cool!
We also rode the downtown Seattle monorail and learned the history of this iconic city transportationMonorail Man (a.k.a. Trainius Prime!) is made completely from train parts!
Media & resources
Train theme is packed with opportunity for learning, and there are tons more ideas and activities to explore on my Trains Pinterest board. Also make sure to follow my Instagram account to see our day to day exploration! Here are a few other train-inspired resources that we enjoyed.
Seattle Monorail Man. The Monorail is a Seattle staple and commonly-used mode of transportation for city dwellers. Take a quick ride from Westlake Center to the Space Needle, and while you’re there, check out Trainius Prime (or Monorail Man), made completely out of used train parts!
Northwest Railway Museum. If you’re local (greater Seattle area) this is a really great place to visit or even book a ride on a real, live steam engine. The museum also offers a plethora of online train resources that you can check out from home.
