DIY Cardboard Garage

Today’s craft is perfect for all the vehicle obsessed little ones out there.  My boys have a large collection of little cars and a new accessory to play with said cars quickly becomes a favourite.

We’ve made our DIY cardboard garage out of old boxes- a readily available material in most households.  This is a great opportunity to reinforce the importance of reusing and recycling. The boys and I had a simple discussion that paper and cardboard is made from trees and how reusing these materials ultimately saves trees from being cut down to make more paper.

My boys also learnt some basic signs that may be found around a parking garage.  We discussed what each sign meant and how it was important to follow the signs for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

The great thing about this garage craft is that it is a craft and construction activity combined!  This craft provides opportunity for fine motor manipulation and improves spatial awareness. It also helps provide problem solving skills as there is some thinking involved in the placement of the car bays, entrance and exit ramps.  Of course, once the garage is complete, the pretend play can begin so this is great for social and language development.

Hope your DIY cardboard garage brings hours of quiet play at your home!

• 3 x cardboard boxes
• 5 x toilet rolls (more is optional)
• Cardboard scraps

1. Use a kraft knife to cut each cardboard box down to its base leaving a small lip on the sides.
2. Paint the base of each cardboard box (optional).  We painted ours black.
3. To make each floor of the garage, stack the cardboard boxes on top of each other with the largest on the bottom and smallest on top.  Use the toilet rolls as pillars for each floor.
4. Plan out where the road and the car parking bays will be before gluing down the toilet roll pillars.
5. Mark out the road and the car parking bays.
6. Glue the toilet roll pillars and the remaining cardboard boxes.
7. Use remaining cardboard scraps to make ramps for the entry and exit for each level.

* This post and all associated images have been supplied by the lovely Rossa from Curious Little People.  Follow her on Instagram for more creative inspirations!