Playtime Pantry

Activities with small toy cars

Cheap, and used again and again. 15 ideas
  • Animal Line-Up: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Animal Line-Up

    10–20 min 18 mo–4 yrs Low mess
    • painter's tape
    • toy animals or cars
  • Big Color Sort: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Big Color Sort

    10–30 min 20 mo–5 yrs Some mess
    • a pile of small toys
  • Toy Memory Tray: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Toy Memory Tray

    10–25 min 3–11 yrs Low mess
    • small toys
  • Ten Hidden Things: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Ten Hidden Things

    10–30 min 2–8 yrs Low mess
    • ten small toys
  • Ramp Races: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Ramp Races

    15–40 min 2–9 yrs Low mess
    • toy cars or balls
    • something to make a ramp
  • Color Garages: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Color Garages

    10–20 min 2–4 yrs Low mess
    • toy carsto buy
    • three or four small boxes
  • Numbered Parking Lot: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Numbered Parking Lot

    10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess
    • toy carsto buy
    • a big sheet of paper or flattened box
    • a marker
  • Magnetic Tile Garage: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Magnetic Tile Garage

    15–45 min 3–7 yrs Low mess
    • magnetic tilesto buy
    • toy carsto buy
  • Block Road City: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Learn something

    Block Road City

    15–45 min 2–7 yrs Low mess
    • wooden blocksto buy
    • toy carsto buy
  • Paint the Toys: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Paint the Toys

    15–30 min 18 mo–5 yrs Messy
    • washable paintto buy
    • plastic toys that can be washedto buy
    • a tub or tray
  • Toy Washing Station: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Toy Washing Station

    15–45 min 18 mo–7 yrs Some mess
    • washable toysto buy
    • warm water
    • two tubs
  • Tire Track Painting: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Tire Track Painting

    15–40 min 2–7 yrs Messy
    • toy cars with wheelsto buy
    • washable paintto buy
    • a big sheet of paper
  • Frozen Excavation: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Frozen Excavation

    20–60 min 2–10 yrs Messy
    • small figures or carsto buy
    • water
    • a container to freeze in
  • Small World Bin: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Small World Bin

    25–90 min 2–9 yrs Messy
    • small figuresto buy
    • a shallow tub or tray
    • a filler like rice or dry pasta