Are you looking for an easy paper train craft that your little one will absolutely enjoy? If yes, then you have come to the right place! Meli, Xander, and their two-year-old cousin, who loves trains, have given this paper craft their stamp of approval. Making toy crafts is an excellent way to spend quality time together and encourage your little one’s imagination. Not to mention, it won’t break the bank either!
These look alike Thomas and Friends train crafts are so versatile. They are perfect for displaying, playing, birthday party decor, and party favors. Are you planning on traveling somewhere? These are excellent travel activities. Cut them out beforehand, pack a glue stick or double-sided tape, and they are perfect for on-the-go fun. Additionally, since they are hollow, you can use it as a cute little snack cup!
Edgar and I will guide you through constructing these look alike Thomas and Friends train crafts with your kiddo. We will cover everything from your needed materials to the folding and gluing process. These steps require scissors or an X-acto knife, so adult supervision (for older kids) is highly recommended. Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need
- Paper train templates (from Edgar’s Etsy store)
- Paper: 8.5 x 11 plain printer paper OR card stock paper (recommended) for a more durable train craft template. Edgar loves using gloss photo paper, which gives the final product a beautiful finish and more durability than plain paper.
- Scissors or Xacto knife
- Adhesive. Edgar used a glue stick but any craft glue or double sided tape should work.
- Stapler (optional)
How to Use Our Train Craft Template
First: Train
Cut
To begin, choose a train template. Edgar used look alike Thomas, a boxcar, attachment hooks, and look alike Kana in his reference video. For this post, we’ll use look alike Thomas and his accessories.
Once you have selected one, print it on 8.5 x 11 plain, cardstock, or gloss photo paper. Please note the paper size is essential because the dimensions of the template are specific to it.
After printing the train, carefully cut it out using an X-acto knife or small scissors. We recommend using an X-acto knife or small scissors for this specific project, as the template has narrow and precise areas that require accuracy. However, if regular scissors are all you have, please don’t let that keep you from making these fun crafty toys.
Fold
Start the 3D transformation process by folding the designated areas, as shown in the diagram. Ensure that you fold towards the contour of the train, which is where the train would naturally bend.
Glue and Connect
Now, it’s time to glue everything together. Apply the glue stick to the designated tabs, as shown in the diagram. Then, refold all the specified areas to connect everything. The train should come together very nicely.
Second: Smoke Stack
Next, cut out the smoke stack as you did the train. Then, apply glue to the back and fold it in half. Be sure to flare out the end so it does not stick together.
Next, cut a small slit above the train’s face along the line, just big enough to insert the smoke stack inside. Then, flare out the smoke stack end pieces inside the train and glue them inside the train craft.
Third: Hitch
To begin with this section, cut out the hitch and the hitch holes. Then, bend the hitch in half and bend it again, as depicted in the photo. Then, apply adhesive to the inside fold and secure.
Next, attach the hitch to the train craft by inserting the back end of the train into the fold of the hitch. Staple this in place as Edgar did, or use a strong adhesive. Since this area will bear the force of pulling the train, ensure it is extra secure.
At this point, you can insert an empty toilet paper roll to strengthen the train’s structure. These dimensions fit one inside perfectly.
Fourth: Hopper Car
Start the hopper car by cutting out the template and folding the designated sections and flaps towards the car’s contour, as you did in the previous sections.
When gluing the flaps on the hopper car, apply glue to the inside fold of each border on all but one side. The remaining side will be used to attach the hopper car hook.
After you have cut out the hook, apply glue to the back of the hook, but make sure to stop at the folding tabs. Then, press the hook together and flare out the tabs. Once you’ve done that, fold the flared-out tabs in half.
Finally, it is time to apply glue to the inside of the last hopper car border by repeating the same process as before. As you do this, sandwich the hook’s folding tab into the hopper car’s folding tab, ensuring the hook tab is on the outside. This action will alternate each folding tab. Apply more glue on the folding tabs without any to ensure a strong and secure connection.
Voilà! You have finished making the first train with accessories. Your kiddo can start playing with them now, or you can wait a bit for the glue to dry and set. However, if your little one assisted you in assembling the train craft, they may be too excited to wait. OR at least that is the overall pattern in our household!
If you need a little extra help assembling the train and accessories, Edgar has a detailed DIY video with step-by-step instructions to guide you visually.
Final Thoughts on our Train Craft
As can be seen, our train craft with accessories is an enjoyable and engaging activity for the entire family. Not only does it provide an opportunity to bond with your little one (if they can help), but it also encourages creativity and imagination, and it's budget-friendly. Following our step-by-step outlined process or watching it in Edgar's video, you can easily create a joyous look alike Thomas and Friends paper train over and over again.
We hope you enjoyed this idea and found these instructions helpful. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with our look alike Thomas and Friends train crafts in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback! Check out our similar DIY paper Pilot craft and DIY toys for more exciting and imaginative ideas!
