Hold on to your steering wheel! Playing with cars and engaging in toy car activities can be very beneficial for kids. Imaginative play is not just for fun, but also provides opportunities for young children to learn. They can explore their senses and express creativity by playing with cars. To get inspired on ways to incorporate this learning into your classroom, check out our assembly of 15 entertaining activities!
1. Alphabet Parking Lot
In this fun activity, children will need to match lowercase and uppercase letters. Each car will have a label with a lowercase letter, and you will create parking spots that have uppercase letters. Children will park the car in the correct spot to match the letters.
Learn More: I Can Teach
2. Math Car Racetrack
Students will learn about measuring distances in this unique math game. You will draw the start and finish lines on a piece of paper and each student will be given a different color of tape. Children will roll a die twice, add the numbers, and trace a path by measuring.
Learn More: Artsy Craftsy Mom
3. Sound it Out Parking Lot
This is the perfect game for beginner readers. You will label each car with a letter and students will sound out the letters before placing the side of the car by side to form words.
Learn More: I Can Teach
4. Car Race Counting Game
Children will practice counting with this fun racing game. You will need posterboard, dice, duct tape, markers, and toy cars. Children will roll the die and move their car to the given number of spaces. The child that moves their car to the finish line first, wins!
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5. Frozen Car Rescue
This melting ice activity is a wonderful hands-on activity for children. They will explore their senses as the ice melts. To prepare for this activity, you will freeze a toy car in a large block of ice. Students will “rescue” the car as the ice melts.
Learn More: Little Bins
6. Directionality Toy Car Activity
Children will learn directions in this game that uses toy cars. Firstly, children will make their own parking garage with stop signs, speed bumps, and arrows. Then, verbally give them directions such as “Turn left at the stop sign”. The goal is to successfully follow the directions.
Learn More: Teach Me
7. Sand Pit Toy Car Activity
This sand pit activity would work great as a sensory station for young children. All you need is sand, toy cars, a dump truck, and some sand-play accessories. Children will use their imagination as they drive their toy cars through the sand.
Learn More: Childhood 101
8. Box Car Activity
If your child would enjoy designing their own car, check out this DIY box car craft! Cut off the box flaps, make wheels using paper plates, and connect shoulder straps. Children can then decorate their cars as they please and prepare to race!
Learn More: Childhood 101
9. Car Activity Books
Car-themed activity books are so engaging. This book includes mazes, word searches, shadow matching, and other fun games and puzzles. These activities promote problem-solving skills.
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10. Learning Colors with Cars
Use cars to teach children the colors of the rainbow. Select 5 colors and find toy cars or hot wheels to match the colors. Place the construction paper on the floor or table and have your child put the cars on top of the matching-colored paper.
Learn More: There’s Just One Mommy
11. Alphabet Rocks Dump Truck Activity
Does your child prefer dump trucks to hot wheels? If so, check out this fun game. You will prepare by writing a letter on each rock. Call out each letter and have your child pick up the correct rock using the dump truck.
Learn More: Fun Learning
12. Car Memory Game
There are many car-themed Montessori book resources and activities. To play this car memory game, you will print out two pictures of each car. Then, mix them up and lay them out face down. Children will find the matching pairs.
Learn More: The Montessori Family
13. Measure the Car Line
Another Montessori book-inspired activity is to line up all your toy cars and then measure to see how long the line is.
Learn More: The Montessori Family
14. Toy Car Wash
This looks just like a true image of a real-life car wash! You will need to gather paper, foam, markers, and a cardboard box for this fun DIY activity.
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15. Truck or Car Spotting Game
This is a fun car activity that you can play while you are out and about with your children! Create a game board with pictures of cars or trucks. As you are out, have your children circle the cars as they spot them. Who can find the most?
Learn More: Fabulessly Frugal
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