Friday, July 3, 2015

DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

I stopped buying toys for my kid more than a year ago since I discovered a million other options to constructively engage his mind (Well that’s what this blog is about really!). Making toys, on the other hand is great because:
  1. He understands the science behind constructing something.
  2. It’s an afternoon well spent: painting, cutting, pasting.
  3. It’s recycled cardboard, so you can toss it in the bin once he is done playing with it or when it starts breaking. We move a lot and I *hate* seeing piles of random things that will never be used again- and using all that energy to give it away! 
  4. It’s free!
But I am also a ‘Practical” mom. I don’t really waste my energy into things too crafty (although I don’t mind cleaning up a pile of mess after hours of good work). I and *completely* agree with Sheryl Sandberg when she says “It doesn’t need to be perfect!”. This tunnel & ramp set we made is *really* very simple to make and here’s how we went about it.

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars





We used two cardboard boxes. I have *many* (i.e. a result of a lot of online shopping!). I cut the top flaps off completely and kept them aside to be used for the bridges & ramps.

These cardboard boxes when inverted are to used as tunnels. I cut out squares (rectangles): one on each side. These squares are for entry and exit to the tunnel. We used boxes with very low height, so only small cars could be used. It will be wonderful to make tunnels with large boxes for big cars! 

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

Then we painted them all. He painted the small box and I painted the big box…. because… why should he have all the fun?! I even made a few traffic lights that could stand erect with the help of some playdoh.

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The tapes on the boxes that kept the boxes together couldn’t be painted on. So we cut a few strips of cardboard paper to be pasted over it as tracks. He wanted to do it, so I asked him to cut a few random papers for practice first! (although I was the one who did the final cutting)

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

Voila! Here it is! In all this set has 8 Tunnels entry /exits, 2 Ramps and 1 Bridge. 

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars


Since we didn’t glue the ramps, bridge and tunnels together, the whole set can be wrapped up and kept away at the end of the day. It can also be set up wherever he pleases!  

The Practical Mom: DIY Tunnel & Ramps for Toy Cars

Until later! Stay in touch!



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12 comments:

  1. Love this idea! Such a great way to get creative, learn and play at the same time #Parenting-pin-party

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  2. Love this idea! This looks like it was fun to create and fun to play with. Glad that I saw you on the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop.

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  3. Great idea. We have loads of toy cars, so this a definite for the to do list!

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  4. Another great craft lovely! thank you for sharing with the #pinitparty!

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  5. Hi! This is a great idea. I love upcycling to make toys. :)

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  6. This is so cute! I think it is a great idea to make your own toys.... I need to get on that for my 17 month olds!!
    Zoe www.simpleessentialwellness.com

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  7. Oh boy, I have a couple of car crazy grandsons that would love this! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  8. Thanks for sharing this cute tunnel at my last party! This weeks is going on! I just signed up for your newsletter to get all your posts! You have great ideas. Maria
    http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/fabulous-friday-party-34/

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  9. Thanks so much for your encouraging comments :)

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  10. Brilliant idea!! Thanks a lot for sharing. My 3 yrs old is just crazy about car racing and he will love this. :)

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