Play to learn: Things that go!
Children love to move! Children NEED to move! Learning through play is so much fun when toys naturally encourage movement and allow children to use their creativity and build so many brain development skills. Pick your child’s favorite transportation toy (cars, boats, planes) and try some of these fun activities. These are also great activities to select for in-person or teletherapy sessions.
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Planes, trains and automobiles!
Do you have a kiddo that loves all things that go?
In my home, cars and trucks cover almost every square inch of our home.
It may be the most frequently used toy and it has been so fun to see how my children’s creativity and play with cars has evolved over the years.
As an Occupational Therapist and a mom, I’m always looking for quiet time activities to calm my kiddos in the afternoon (now that they don’t nap) so I can get some things done around the house (or lately, work on this blog!)
Cars always come to the rescue to give this mama a much needed afternoon break!
Children learn best through play. Toys that promote a child’s imagination and allow a child to direct the play are key to a child’s brain development and academic success.
Whether your child is into cars, planes or trains, read on to find some new ways to inspire their learning and keep them busy!
And best of all, these activities require few extra materials and little preparation.
Car activities for babies
Babies are all about moving and exploring the world through their senses.
Larger vehicles like this one encourage children to climb to build their motor skills and strength.
And if you don’t want to buy a car, use a cardboard box and DIY one like this.
Here are some first vehicles that are great for babies to practice grasping, pushing and are safe for teething.
These vehicles can also be a great way to encourage movement such as crawling, kneeling, squatting, sit to stand, and walking by placing them down low on the floor and up high on a couch.
Encourage the development of your baby’s senses by playing with cars in different places such as outside in the grass, in the bathtub, or in a sandbox.
Car activities for toddlers
By A Little Learning for Two
Toddlers are “on the go” so finding toys that can go with them are a dream come true.
Simple activities that are child-led are best for this age group.
Put some materials out and see what they come up with.
Practice rolling cars down a cardboard ramp from couch to floor. Great way to practice the words ready, set, go!
Have a "car" wash with a bucket of soapy water to involve multiple senses.
Dip the wheels in paint and draw on paper.
Roll smaller cars down a paper towel tube or a pool noodle cut in half.
Make a race course using painters tape.
Play follow the leader and do "tricks" with the cars to work on motor imitation.
Drive the cars on bubble wrap taped to the floor.
Play with plastic boats in the bathtub, tub of water, or kiddie pool.
Drive cars, boats, planes in shaving cream, jello, whipped cream, pudding, etc.
Car activities for preschoolers
Match the letters by Frugal Fun 4 Boys
Preschoolers are becoming more imaginative and their attention spans are getting longer.
This is a great age to start adding more materials and modeling 2 or 3 step directions during play.
But, be careful not to overly direct their play so that we don’t squash their creativity (and also so that they don’t expect that we are going to sit with them every time).
Preschoolers are working on concepts of opposites, matching, colors, shapes, letters and numbers.
Here are some fun things to try:
Paint the cars and then wash them.
Use larger vehicles and transport blocks, animals, etc.
Take them outside and make a chalk maze to follow.
Hide smaller vehicles in Play Doh.
Match vehicles to colored paper, tape or bowls.
Use construction vehicles to push sand.
Driving cars on letters drawn on large piece of paper.
Letter matching games (see image).
Car activities for elementary children
This is where learning becomes so much fun and more independent-FINALLY!
My kids love Lego challenges and looking at Pinterest (mamma might have a slight addiction) to get some new ideas on what to build.
They found this idea last week and came up with this really awesome build. Look at the concentration, focus and teamwork!
Other STEM inspired ideas for elementary children:
So. much. fun!
So. much. learning!
So go have some fun today trying these new ideas with your kiddos and then let me know which ones were their favorites!
Sharing is caring-so make sure to share using the buttons below with other therapists and parents that need some new ideas at home.
Check out these other blogs if you liked this one:
Play to learn: 30 Fun ball activities for kids
Play to learn: 30 Block activities kids will love
Play to learn: Water activities for kids
73 Backyard activities to keep kids busy all summer+FREE PRINTABLE
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