Animate a "Jingle Bells" MAP
Create an animated map that plays 'Jingle Bells' while a sleigh travels between landmarks using simple coding, drawing, and timing activities.
Step-by-step guide to animate a 'Jingle Bells' MAP
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Step 1
Open Scratch and start a new project.
Step 2
Delete the cat sprite to make space for your map and sleigh.
Step 3
Use the Backdrops paint editor to draw a map with a clear start point and at least three labeled landmarks.
Step 4
Draw or upload a sleigh sprite and name it "Sleigh".
Step 5
Make a small marker sprite for each landmark and place each marker exactly on the matching spot of your map.
Step 6
Click the Sleigh sprite and add a start script so that when the green flag is clicked it goes to your chosen start position.
Step 7
Add one glide block to the Sleigh to move it to the first landmark over a chosen number of seconds that match the song beat.
Step 8
Add glide blocks for the Sleigh to travel from each landmark to the next using the same beat pattern so the movement is rhythmic.
Step 9
Create a new sprite named "Music" and add play note blocks that program the "Jingle Bells" melody with note durations that match your glide timing.
Step 10
Click the green flag to run your project and watch the sleigh travel while listening to the music.
Step 11
Tweak the glide seconds or note durations to make sure the sleigh arrives at each landmark on the main beats.
Step 12
Save your Scratch project.
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a computer or can't open Scratch online?
Use the free Scratch Desktop app or the Scratch mobile app, or substitute by drawing your map on paper and timing a phone playing 'Jingle Bells' while moving a toy sleigh to match the glide beats.
The sleigh doesn't arrive on the main beats—what should I check or change?
Check that the Sleigh's start script places it exactly on your chosen start position, then tweak each glide block's seconds and the Music sprite's note durations and re-click the green flag until the sleigh reaches each landmark marker on the main beats.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids simplify the Backdrop to 2–3 labeled landmarks, use bigger marker sprites and single short glides and notes, while older kids can add broadcasts, a tempo variable, multiple sleigh costumes, and harmony lines in the Music sprite.
How can we extend or personalize the map and sleigh project after finishing the basic version?
Add broadcasts from the Sleigh when it arrives at markers to trigger animations or sound effects on landmark sprites, create extra backdrop layers or costume changes for the Sleigh, and then save and share the enhanced project on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to animate a 'Jingle Bells' MAP
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Facts about coding and animation for kids
🎵 'Jingle Bells' was written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and was originally titled 'One Horse Open Sleigh'.
🛷 Sleigh bells were once strapped to horses to warn pedestrians and now help us imagine snowy rides in songs and stories.
🗺️ Animated maps show movement over time — they’re used for weather, migrations, and storytelling journeys like a sleigh route.
💻 Kid-friendly tools like Scratch or simple JavaScript libraries (and MIDI files) let you play melodies while animating sprites on a map.
⏱️ Animators often use 12–24 frames per second and sync actions to musical beats so your sleigh can hop along with the tune.
How do I create an animated 'Jingle Bells' map where a sleigh travels between landmarks?
What materials and tools do I need to make an animated 'Jingle Bells' map?
What ages is this animated map activity suitable for?
What educational benefits and easy variations can we try with the 'Jingle Bells' animated map?
