One of the boys’ favorite things to play with is cars. They spend hours playing with their assortment of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Little Brother used to be the only car lover, but he has now passed along his love for cars to his Big Brother.
I was able to harness their love for cars into a fun activity where they can play and learn simultaneously! This has definitely been a hit…and I’m planning to leave it up for a while so that they can continue to play with it!
Here’s what you’ll need: tape (I used some extra washi tape I had, but I would suggest using painter’s tape–be sure to test it on your floors first to make sure it won’t peel off the finish), scissors, and toy cars. You could also use a posterboard instead of putting tape directly on your floors!
1. Cut pieces of tape into 2-inch segments. You’ll need 28 pieces of tape.
2. Lay a long piece of tape along the wall and then make your “parking spaces” using the 2-inch pieces of tape.
3. Write capital letters on small pieces of tape and add to each parking space.
4. Write lowercase letters onto small pieces of tape and add them to the tops of your toy cars.
5. Let your child start “parking” the cars in their corresponding space.
Check out more alphabet activities here and on our Pinterest board!
bea says
May 20, 2013 at 9:17 amThis is such a cute idea! I will be doing something like this on cardboard for my little one. Just FYI tape will eat at the finish on your floors! I can’t tell you how many people have let tape sit on their finished wood only to rip it off along with their top coat. I don’t use washi but most kinds of tape will eventually eat at the finish. Blue painter’s tape will do it the least and clear tape is the worst! But it kept my dad in business for years!
My Boaz's Ruth says
May 21, 2013 at 9:58 amThank you! I was wondering if that tape was ok for the floors!
Suzanne says
May 6, 2017 at 10:42 amBlue painters tape should not leave any marks if it’s not left down for weeks. If it is just tapped down lightly, it will stay in place for this activity. You can also use paper strips and use those clear dots that stick to walls. Cut them in half to make them go farther. They stay in place and you would only need 2 or 3 for each strip.
Great idea!
Jaimi says
July 24, 2013 at 7:57 pmGood to know! I have not placed tape on the floor for long, but did make a masking tape maze on carpet once. I left it for a couple of days and that was a terrible challenge to remove! Maybe if it is taken off same day it can be ok??
Tara H says
May 21, 2013 at 7:17 amI absolutely love this! With a house full of boys, this is perfect!
Alison says
May 21, 2013 at 10:12 amWonderful idea. :)
L Olson says
May 21, 2013 at 7:24 pmMy son really enjoyed this, thanks for the idea!
Crystal M :) says
May 22, 2013 at 6:29 amLove this! Thanks Jenae! :)
Dania says
May 25, 2013 at 5:01 amSo new! it’s amazing idea!
Sarah @ Frugal Fun for Boys says
May 26, 2013 at 3:26 pmThat is a GREAT idea to fit in some alphabet practice that doesn’t even feel like school work!
Jackie says
May 27, 2013 at 9:33 amThis is a great idea! You can also extend this idea using the letters of the child’s name.
Ash says
July 10, 2013 at 11:26 amI love this! I can’t wait to do it!
Jaimi says
July 24, 2013 at 7:58 pmWhat a great adaptation of all the parking car activities! I really love this-cute, simple and perfect for letter-learning. Great share!
Kristianne Rushton says
September 3, 2013 at 6:39 pmSuch a great idea! I had to use it.I just used construction paper and used letters we have worked on so far.Come check it to see what we did!
OneMommy says
September 14, 2013 at 8:50 pmMy son loved doing our own colorful version of this activity! I mentioned you in the post. Thank you so much for a great idea!
Monique says
January 8, 2014 at 11:44 pmThis is a really cute idea, but my daughter is not so keen on the idea of playing with cars, does anyone know of something I could replace the cars with for a girl?
B says
February 18, 2014 at 10:04 amMonique, you can do it with most anything. We didn’t really have space to have a parking lot, so I made one on paper. Perhaps you can adapt it with pictures of horses and stables, or sprinkles on cupcakes, crowns on princesses. It’s really just a fun way to match the letters.
Suzanne says
May 6, 2017 at 10:36 amDoes she like the little stackable beanie animals? They are everywhere these days….even at the dollars store. The little parking spaces can be their homes, in a neighborhood…..you could even use construction paper and cut out house shapes to put on the wall with the letter or number so it’s not covered up when they are in place. The parking place can be the driveway to the house. Just one suggestion….or little animals and their stalls. Have fun!
Faye says
July 20, 2018 at 9:03 amLittle animals that go into stalls? Tiny people going into houses/shops?
wuri says
November 24, 2015 at 8:05 pmThis is great idea, I will try this for my son and my students. Thank you
Zubin says
January 16, 2017 at 12:54 pmI loved this idea, a very cool way of encouraging learning. I can already think of different ways this can be used apart from alphabets like match patterns, words, colors etc.
My daughter is 7 years old and I’m sure this can definitely get her up and thinking, improve her problem-solving abilities.
restartwindows10.com says
September 25, 2018 at 6:18 amI got stuck sometimes in it.
Kryptowaluty says
November 25, 2018 at 10:46 pmReally wonderful article. feeling blessed to read such an informative content. Thanks for sharing.