50+ Train Activities & Crafts

INSIDE: 50+ of the best train activities and crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. Hand-on learning ideas that your little train lover will enjoy!

Toddlers and Trains

I have not one but two Thomas the Train fans in my house. In order to not have to deal with any arguments over who gets Thomas, I have two of them! My two year olds can’t get enough of that little useful engine. Does this sound familiar? If you have a train lover in your house then you have come to the right place.

READ MORE… 30+ Construction Site Activities and Crafts

Here you will find over 50 amazing train themed activities. From Sensory, Arts and Crafts, Math, Letter and STEM activities. All fun ideas that are prefect for toddlers or preschoolers.

WANT MORE… 35 + Car Themed Activities and Crafts

Sensory Train Activities

1. Trains In Ice Sensory Bin

A “train on ice” sensory bin is a fun, hands-on activity—great for exploring textures, temperature, and a bit of simple science. Here’s an easy way to set one up:

What you need:

• A shallow bin or tray
• Ice cubes (regular or crushed)
• Small toy trains and tracks (plastic works best)
• Salt (optional, for melting effects)
• Water (a little, to make it slushy)
• Food coloring (optional, for visual interest)
• Scoops, spoons, or small cups

How to set it up:

1. Fill the bin with ice. You can mix in a little water to create a slushy texture.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring if you want colorful “icy tracks.”
3. Place the train tracks and trains on top or partially buried in the ice.
4. Let kids push the trains through the ice, build tracks, or “rescue” trains stuck in frozen chunks.

2. Frozen Train Rescue

Materials:

• Ice cube trays (silicone works best for easy removal)
• Small toy train cars (make sure they fit in the tray slots)
• Water
• Optional: a drop of food coloring
• A shallow bin or tray
• Warm water in small cups or squeeze bottles
• Toddler-safe tools (spoons, droppers, small scoops)
• Towels (for inevitable melting mess)

How to Set It Up:

1. Place one small train car into each section of the ice cube tray.
2. Fill each section with water, covering the trains completely.
3. Add a drop of food coloring if you want colorful ice.
4. Put the tray in the freezer and leave it until fully frozen (a few hours or overnight).
5. Once frozen, pop the ice cubes out and place them into a shallow sensory bin.
6. Give children warm water and tools to “rescue” the trains by melting the ice.

3. I-Spy Train Sensory Bottle

Materials:

• Large opening Sensory Bottle
• Mini Thomas Train
• White Rice
• Foam Letters
• Black foam sheets
• Crinkle Scissors

How to Set Up:

1. Cut thin strips from the black foam sheets with the crinkle scissors to make train tracks.
2. Add mini train, foam letters spelling train and mini train tracks in the sensory bottle.
3. Add rice and seal.
4. Invite your toddler to search for the train and the letters.

4. Train Sand Pit Sensory Bin

This is one of those activities where kids will naturally build, dig, bury tracks, and create their own little train world without much direction.

Materials:

• Clear plastic storage bin
• Sand (play sand or kinetic sand)
• Wooden train tracks
• Wooden trains and train cars
• Small accessories (tunnel, bridge, signs, trees—whatever you have)
• Scoops, cups, or small shovels

How to Set It Up:

1. Pour a layer of sand into the bottom of your bin (a couple inches deep is perfect).
2. Press and lay the wooden train tracks right on top of the sand—don’t worry about perfection, a slightly uneven track adds to the fun.
3. Add trains and a few simple accessories like a tunnel or sign.
4. Toss in a scoop or two for digging and moving sand.

5. Popcorn Kernel Train Bin (a.k.a. “Cornyard Express”)

If you’ve got a kid who loves trains and pouring things over and over again, this one is a total win. It’s simple, a little messy, and keeps them busy way longer than you’d expect.

Materials:

• Clear plastic storage bin
• Dried corn kernels (unpopped popcorn)
• Wooden train tracks
• Wooden trains and train cars
• Simple accessories (tunnel, bridge, signs, small trees)
• Scoops, cups, or small containers

How to Set It Up:

1. Pour a generous layer of corn kernels into your bin (enough to cover the bottom well).
2. Set the wooden train tracks right on top—press them down slightly so they stay in place.
3. Add trains and a few accessories to create a simple scene.
4. Toss in scoops or cups for pouring and filling train cars.

6. Jungle River Train Sensory Bin

Materials:

• Clear plastic bin
• Green lentils + uncooked rice
• Wooden train tracks + train
• Blue beads/gems (water)
• Rocks/pebbles
• Faux plants/moss
• Small sticks/driftwood
• Jungle animal figures

How to Set It Up:

1. Pour lentils in the center and add a section of rice for contrast.
2. Lay train tracks across the bin, slightly pressed into the filler.
3. Add blue beads to create small rivers or ponds.
4. Line areas with rocks to define spaces.
5. Tuck in plants and place animals around.
6. Add the train on top and you’re done.

Arts & Crafts Train Activities

7. DIY Paper Train Table

If you need a super simple setup that looks cute but takes minutes, this paper train table is it.

Materials:

• Table
• Butcher paper
• Tape
• Black marker
• Toy trains
• Wooden blocks
• Paper (for tunnels/signs)

How to Set It Up:

1. Tape butcher paper across the table.
2. Draw simple train tracks with a thick black marker.
3. Add quick paper tunnels or signs if you want.
4. Place trains on the tracks and set out blocks for building.

If you need a simple, low-prep art activity that still looks super cute, this sponge print train is perfect.

8. Sponge Print Train Craft

Materials:

• White paper
• Sponges (cut into squares)
• Paint (various colors + black + white)
• Corks (for wheels)
• Paper plate or paint tray

How to Set It Up:

1. Dip sponge squares into paint and stamp train cars in a row.
2. Use a sponge (or brush) to add the black engine at the front.
3. Dip corks in black paint and stamp wheels under each car.
4. Add small white dots to wheels.
5. Optional: stamp clouds/sun with sponges to finish.

9. Egg Carton Train Craft

If you’ve got an empty egg carton and some paint, this is one of those crafts that turns into an actual toy kids will keep playing with.

Materials:

• Egg carton
• Paper towel roll (for engine)
• Paint (various colors)
• Paintbrushes
• Black paper or cardstock (for wheels)
• String or ribbon
• Glue
• Scissors

How to Make It:

1. Cut the egg carton into sections (each bump becomes a train car).
2. Paint each piece a different color. Paint the paper towel roll for the engine. Let dry.
3. Glue the paper towel roll to the front piece. Add a small cut section of carton on top for the smokestack.
4. Cut circles from black paper and glue them on the sides for wheels.
5. Punch small holes and tie pieces together with string or ribbon.

10. Shape Train

Materials:

• Colored paper
• Black background paper
• Glue
• Scissors (or pre-cut shapes)
• Cotton balls

How to Make:

1. Glue a large rectangle for the train body.
2. Add a triangle in front and a small rectangle + triangle on top (cab & roof).
3. Attach a thin rectangle + small square for the chimney.
4. Glue rectangles behind for train cars and connect with strips.
5. Add circle wheels under each section.
6. Glue cotton balls on top for smoke.

11. Train Resist Art

Materials:

• White paper
• Painter’s tape
• Watercolor paints
• Paintbrush
• Black marker

How to Make:

1. Use tape to make a simple train shape on the paper.
2. Paint over the whole page with watercolors (rainbow colors work great).
3. Let it dry, then carefully peel off the tape.
4. Draw wheels and details with a black marker.

Learning Train Activities

12. Post It Note Train Counting

Materials:

• Brown butcher paper
• Black marker
• Sticky notes (various colors)

How Set Up:

1. Draw a simple train with 5 cars on the paper.
2. Write numbers 1–5 on each car.
3. Place sticky notes on each car to match the number (1 note on 1, 2 on 2, etc.).

Train Shape Matching Puzzle (Craftulate)

Counting Trains Preschool Math Activity (School Time Snippets)

Build A Shape Train (The OT Toolbox)

Freight Train Counting Games (Inspiration Labs)

Train Track Number Hunt (Craftulate)

Shape Train Matching Activity (Toddler Approved)

Fun Shape Activity for Kids Who Love Trains | Free Printable (Sunny Day Family)

Letter Train Activities

Train Track Word Building (Paper and Glue)

Train Letter Formation (Still Playing School)

Alphabet Train: Toddler Learning Activity (Thriving Home Blog)

Practicing Letter Formation With Toy Trains (Carrie Isaac)

Name Train Preschool Matching Activity (Toddler Approved)

T Is For Train Letter Activity (A Little Pinch of Perfect)

Choo-Choo! Sight Word Train (Juggling with Kids)

Name Recognition Freight Train (Entertainment Junction)

Train Track Names

Materials:

• Butcher Paper
• sharpie
• trains

How to Set Up:

Write your child’s name in block letters then draw lines across the letters to create tracks. Have them drive their favourite trains along each letter.

Painting Letters With Trains

Materials:

• Butcher Paper
• sharpie
• paint
• trains

How to Set Up:

Write your letters in block letters then draw lines across the letters to create tracks. Have them drive their favourite trains in paint along each letter.

STEM Train Activities

Train Track Skee Ball (Busy Toddler)

Magnets & Trains Sensory Bin (Preschool Prewol Packets)

Train Chain Reaction with Dominoes (Teach Beside Me)

Chain Reaction Science with Trains (Inspiration Labs)

Freight Train Block Building (Home Grown Friends)

STICK TRACKS TRANSPORTATION INVESTIGATION STATION FOR LITTLE KIDS (The Keeper of Memories)

STEAM: The Little Engine That Could (Sugarbird, Spice and Glitter)

Electromagnetic Train Science Project (123 Homeschool for Me)

Toy Train Problem Solving (Simple Play Ideas)

DIY Marble Run (This Pilgrim Life)