Almost every child I have ever met loves fire trucks. There is something fascinating about the flashing lights, neat accessories, and the rescue concept as well. With this easy craft and just a few common materials, your preschooler can make a paper box fire truck of his or her own. If you use a big enough box, he or she can even get inside and drive it!
Here is what you need to make your own fire truck toy:
- a cardboard box (any size works – a small box makes a great toy, and a big box means your child can climb in and drive it!)
- red paint, or paper
- scraps of white, yellow, black, and blue paper
- scraps of red and blue fun foam
- scissors, tape, and glue
1. Cover your box with red paper, or paint it red (note, if you use paint, it may take a few coats to cover previous designs on the box):
2. Turn box onto one of its long sides. Cut thin strips of white paper, and glue onto the side of the box to form a ladder. Cut a window out of white paper, and glue on near the ladder. Cut larger circles out of black paper, and smaller circles out of white paper, and glue to the bottom of the box to form the fire truck’s wheels (note, if you are using a large box, paper plates make great wheels):
Decorate opposite side, if desired.
3. Turn fire truck to the front. Cut two large white squares, and glue on to form windows. If desired, cut smaller blue squares to glue inside the white squares. Cut out a narrow yellow rectangle, and glue below windows to form the headlights.
Cut small squares of yellow and blue fun foam, and glue on top of the fire truck to represent the fire truck’s flashing lights:
4. If desired, cut a hole in the top of the box (an adult’s job) so that toys, stuffed friends, or kids can take a ride in your fire truck:
