DIY Cardboard Garage

Looking for a fun and educational project to engage your preschoolers? Try creating a DIY cardboard garage! This exciting craft fits perfectly into a transportation unit for preschool, making learning about cars and garages a hands-on experience.

Imagine your little ones’ faces lighting up as they construct their own cardboard tube garage with parking spaces for their toy cars. This project stimulates creativity, enhances fine motor skills, and introduces basic engineering concepts.

As preschool parents and teachers, you know the value of interactive learning. This homemade cardboard garage is an excellent way to combine play and education, ensuring your children are entertained and learning simultaneously.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to recycle materials you already have at home, teaching kids about sustainability. Dive into this fun project and watch your preschoolers’ imaginations soar as they explore the world of transportation through their very own cardboard garage.

DIY Cardboard Tube Garage Craft

Both of my boys loved playing cars when they were younger. Now, my 2.5 year old grandson is following suit. He loves to line his cars up and drive them across the couch over and over again.

If your little ones are the same way, they’ll love helping you turn empty cardboard tubes into a fun parking garage sized perfectly for their favorite cars.

What You’ll Need

• Full Overlap Box (7”W x 9”H x 4”D)
• 20 Empty cardboard tubes
• Construction paper of your choice
• 1 White sticky name tag (we got ours at the dollar store)
• Large black marker
• Scissors
• Glue gun (and glue)

What You’ll Do

Before you start, plug your glue gun in to warm up while you prep your box.

Then, cut off both the right and left side flaps. Trim them the best you can for a clean finish. Leave the top and bottom flaps for the pavement and the “garage” sign.

Measure out and cut your construction paper, then glue it accordingly.

Cover the top and sides with construction paper. Use the same color on the top flap. This will be where your sign goes.

Glue black paper to the bottom flap. This will be your pavement.

Glue each cardboard tube into its designated area. It is easiest to start at the bottom and work my way up.

Using your large black marker write “GARAGE” at the top. Or perhaps you’d like to write your child’s name (i.e. “Jacob’s Garage” or “Sarah’s Garage”).

Cut the white sticky name tag in thin strips and place them on your pavement to mark off your parking spaces and your road.

You can use one of your cars as a measuring guide to arrange your parking spaces.

You could also use a white paint marker if you have one.

Your garage is now ready to receive vehicles! Adapt the design using a bigger box and more paper rolls if needed. Car collections can get quite big!

Educational Benefits

Engaging preschoolers in the DIY toy car garage offers many educational benefits beyond simple play. This hands-on activity captivates young minds and fosters key developmental skills.

Crafting a cardboard garage involves cutting, gluing, and painting, which develop fine motor skills. It also improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Integrating this craft into a transportation unit lets children explore vehicle and garage concepts. They learn basic engineering principles and expand their vocabulary.

The project promotes problem-solving and critical thinking as children plan and build their garages. These experiences teach perseverance and the value of trial and error. The craft also encourages creativity and imagination. Children can personalize their garages, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their work.

Overall, the DIY cardboard garage craft combines learning with play, making education a fun and engaging experience for preschoolers.

Preschool Books About Cars

Are you looking for a way to extend your child’s interest in cars beyond playtime? Introducing them to engaging and educational books about cars is a fantastic way to fuel their curiosity and encourage a love for reading.

Preschool books about cars not only captivate young readers with vibrant illustrations and fun stories but also help them learn about different types of vehicles, how they work, and the adventures they can take.

Below, you’ll find a list of delightful car-themed books perfect for preschoolers. These books offer entertainment and education. These stories will surely rev up your child’s imagination and keep them eagerly turning the pages.

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen takes young readers on a whimsical journey through the imaginative mind of a boy named Jack, who dreams of designing the ultimate car. Jack’s fantastical creation includes features like a swimming pool, a robot chauffeur, and the ability to fly, showcasing his boundless creativity. With its vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, the book inspires children to think outside the box and envision a world where anything is possible.

Good Night Race Cars by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper is a charming bedtime story that takes young readers on a soothing journey through a day at the racetrack. As the sun sets, the race cars and their drivers wind down, preparing for a restful night after an exciting day of high-speed adventures. With its calming narrative and gentle illustrations, the book provides a perfect transition from the excitement of the day to a peaceful night’s sleep.

The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca is an exhilarating journey through the alphabet, each letter introducing young readers to a different aspect of racecars and racing culture. From A for acceleration to Z for zoom, the book combines rhythmic text with dynamic illustrations to capture the excitement of the racetrack. It’s an engaging and educational read that teaches children about both the alphabet and the world of racecars in a fun and captivating way.

Creating a DIY cardboard garage is a wonderful way to combine creativity, learning, and fun for preschoolers. This hands-on project not only enhances fine motor skills and encourages imaginative play but also fits perfectly into a transportation unit for preschool, making learning about vehicles an engaging experience.

Coupled with our recommended preschool books about cars, you can provide a comprehensive and enjoyable learning journey for your little ones. We hope you and your preschoolers enjoy building, playing, and reading together, fostering both educational growth and precious memories.

Tara

Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.