I decided to start this page because I happen to have a son who is a big Thomas fan. When I was planning his birthday, I found myself looking here and there for Thomas ideas and Train Party ideas. Here you will find all the resources I found while searching for good ideas. Also, I thought it would be nice to display and share some of the things I created or purchased for favors for his party. Maybe my ideas will help another parent who is starting to plan a Thomas or Train Themed Party!!! Also you will find links to great Thomas resources and some of our favorite Thomas products.

Many of the ideas found below can be used in the classrooom while doing a train unit!!!

Updated - May 2006

Thomas the Tank/Train Favors I created for my son's party.

A Picture of the Invitation/ Train Ticket is above. I printed these on Magnets! You can purchase magnetic paper for your printer at your local office supply store or Walmart. You could also print these on cardstock if you choose. Once they are printed, cut them out and they look just like tickets. I used Publisher XP to create this file. You may purchase my publisher file XP through paypal. They print three per page along with the favor magnet. You will need to change the data (Party time, places, rsvp...)on the page by first moving the blue potion over and then fixing the text, but everything else is ready to go! Please note: I DO NOT OFFER TECHNICAL HELP WITH THIS FILE (THAT IS WHY IT IS SO CHEAP!!). YOU MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLISHER. If you do not have knowledge of publisher, please purchase the file below and I will create the document for you. If you email me for help with this file, I will ask you to purchase the difference of the file below and then once payment is sent, I will create it for you. Just print cut and place in a standard business envelope. You just need to have Publisher XP to purchase the file. The file is 4.00 and sent via email in 24 hours. You must use Paypal to order. No returns or refunds. To make sure the file will work on your computer: click here to see if you can download this publisher file. If all works, you may use the button below to order.

You may not reproduce these files and then sell a finished product or the file on any auction site or your own website. Thanks!

If you would rather I will type in the text and then send it to you in both PDF format and Publisher format, that is an option. If you don't have publisher... this is your only option. For $15.00 I will do the work and all you have to do is print and send the invitations. Please use the button below to order the invitations. Once you place your order via Paypal, please send me (cgallagher_1999@yahoo.com) your child's age turning, name, date of party, time of party, special party instructions (please keep these to 10 words), the place of the party, the date to RSVP by, and your email and/or phone number!!

You may not reproduce these files and then sell a finished product or the file on any auction site or your own website. Thanks!

Train Candybar Wrapper Printable!!

Above is a picture of a wrapper I created. These make creative favors!

You can order the file above for $15.05. It comes customized in a PDF file.
All you have to do is print, cut, and wrap your bars.
It will fits a regualr sized Hershey Bar. The bars can be purchased in bulk at Sams Club. You can also purchase the bars in groups of six at Walmart.
After you place your order through Paypal, send your
Child's Name, Date of Event, age of child, and any other special text changes to:
cgallagher_1999@yahoo.com
Orders will arrive in your inbox in 24 hours or less after you email your custom print.
Once you get your file, you may print as many wrappers as you need.

Use the links below to order for $15.05

You may not reproduce these files and then sell a finished product or the file on any auction site or your own website. Thanks!

Here is the favor magnet I created to go in the favor bags. It is found on the Publisher File above. It prints below the invitations.

These are the favor bags I made. I purchased small canvas bags from Oriental Trading. I printed the pictures on Iron On Transfer paper and then placed the graphics on the bags using my iron. I included the child's name on each bag.

These are the CD's I placed in the bag. They included my sons favorite songs. I made the CD's by taking his favorite songs from various CD's and burning them on to one CD. The first picture shows the inside with the songs listed and the CD. The second picture is the cover of the CD.

I also included a notepad with a pen in each of the bags. I purchased notepads at my local dollar store in bulk. Then I printed the picture seen on sticker paper and stuck the paper on the notebook. As you can see, I made sure each child's name was on the notepad.

You may download my notepad file for free. Of course you will need to change the names if you plan to use it.

Click here to download!

Here is a picture of everything I included in the favor bags. Most of the goodies were purchased through Oriental Trading. The train lollipop, the stencil, the race car, the stickers, and the motorcycle stamp were all purchased through OT. The whistle was found at Walmart in the party section of the store. The pens and notespads were purchased at the dollar store.

Use the link below to visit Oriental Trading and do a search for train and then Thomas. You will get many products in bulk at good prices...

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Just a little game I made. Play like pin the tail on the donkey. Use stars and see if the kids can get a star on his nose.
A girlfriend of mine made this for her sons birthday party and did PIN THE BEE on James nose. She had bee cut-outs with each child's name. She also sells these games finished and ready to use (like the Percy seen below). You can view these on her
seller page at Ebay or contact her at krisbrad@comcast.net to get a price quote.

Play Pass the Thomas
You can get a plush Thomas at Amazon. Click the link below to learn more! Play Thomas music and pass the plush around in a circle till the music stops...


Thomas & Friends Tank 9' Plush Engine

Train Costumes From Kristi

The girlfriend I mentioned above: Kristi, made these cute train costumes for her son's birthday party. They are just way too cute and creative. Each child got to choose from Thomas, James, and Percy. Kristi made them out of carboard boxes and then spray painted them. The kids had a blast wearing them. She gave them each a train whistle to blow as they chugged along. I can't even explain how cute they all looked.

Here is a cute Percy! You can also see from this picture that each child was given a Thomas Shirt to wear.
Similar to the favor bag idea; just iron on graphics off the computer.

Here is a close-up of Thomas!

Troublesome Truck Game

Here is another idea from Kristi. She took a Thomas Tent (like the one seen below).

Click to learn more at Amazon

Behind this she placed various Troublesome Trucks. She made the Troublesome Trucks out of cardboard boxes (seen below).

Then she made coal out of black bean bags. She just purchased black material and placed rice in the bags and then sewed the bags up to form coal. Then she had the kids throw the coal into the trucks. Just too cute!!!

*Another neat idea from Kristi was to set up a train track on the birthday party table. While the kids ate pizza and cake they could play with various trains at their seat.

*Kristi also created a Thomas Bingo Game (as seen below). You can view these on her seller page at Ebay or contact her at krisbrad@comcast.net to get a price quote.

From Kristi's Favor Bags

Here are a few treats that were in Kristi's favor bags. Kristi creates, prints, and sells invitations and other printables. Email her at
krisbrad@comcast.net if you are interested in having her create a paper item for you. She does many themes!

Here are the favor bags. Basically labels she created and then stuck on bags. These are little bath drops. On the back of this bag topper is a cute little poem about the party.


Train Favors to Purchase

You may purchase some cute train things (in bulk) on Oriental Trading. Use the botton below and do a search for each item seen below.

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WOODEN TRAIN WHISTLES
MOSAIC TRAIN PHOTO MAGNET CRAFT KIT (great for craft idea at party)
CHOO CHOO TRAIN PINATA
CHOO CHOO TRAIN BLOCKS- 10 PC
ON THE GO! 5" STENCILS - 12 PC
& MORE - Just type the word train in the search!

Thomas Products on Oriental. Click the image below and then search for Thomas to find many products at great prices.
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THOMAS THE TANK ROLL STICKERS-100 PCS
THOMAS FULL STEAM AHEAD STICKERS (4PC)
THOMAS & FRIENDS BIRTHDAY CUPS (9 OZ)
THOMAS THE TANK PAPER PACK
THOMAS FULL STEAM AHEAD INVITATION(8PC)
THOMAS FULL STEAM CONDUCTOR HAT (8PC)
THOMAS & FRIENDS BALLOON BUNCH (28PC)
& MORE... Just type the word Thomas in the search!

Train Treats

Above is the Thomas Cake I made. I purchased the Wilton pan off of Ebay because you cannot purchase it at the stores. I got it for about $25.00

A train cake from Sams Club.

Here are train cookies. You can purchase a train cookie cutter on Amazon.

If you search on Ebay you may find someone selling Thomas cookie cutters or Thomas candy molds. All of these make great treats for a Thomas fan!!!!

Links To Other Train Cakes

Make Your Own Thomas The Train Magnetic Learning Center

Place the pictures on a white board and give your student or child
the words to match under the picture. Have them place the words under the pictures. Or place the words on the board and habe them place the graphic next to the word.
To the right is a picture of what a finished center would look like. You may print these files on magnetic paper and create your own activity.

Train Printable 1

Train Printable 2

Links To Great Places For Train Ideas and More


Thomas Coloring/Activity Sheets


Other Thomas Links


Train Theme Unit Links


Party Ideas For A Thomas or Train Themed Party

Many Thomas Party Ideas

More Train Party Ideas

Make a Thomas Cake

Train Party Idea Chatboard

Tons of Train PArty Ideas - Be Sure
To Use the Arrows Above To See Various Train Pages!

More Ideas - Includes Pictures

Custom Thomas Invitations - This will take you to an Ebay
sellers page. This seller makes excellent custom Thomas Invitations!!

(She also lists some neat-o Thomas products every so often. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!
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