• Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Meet Sarah
  • Playful Days
  • Shop Resources
  • Search

How Wee Learn

Out of the box learning ideas, playful art, exploring nature, and simple living - that is How We Learn!

  • Quiet Time
  • Letters and Numbers
  • Art
  • Science
  • Get Outside
  • Shop

Exploring Toy Cars

April 24, 2014 by Sarah 8 Comments

I was unsure about writing this post … as perhaps it is common knowledge.  However, for me it was not common knowledge and I found it totally awesome.  This simple activity has also kept my preschooler busy for 3 consecutive afternoons.  And any activity that can do that deserves a post to help any Mama out there – common knowledge or not!

how we learn about tools

This activity came to be over the weekend.  On my Sammy’s birthday actually.  He took a tumble outside while running down a hill and actually hurt his leg quite badly.  It was in fact so sore that he spent most of the day on the couch.  We were trying to make the day special, even if he had to stay still, so we were trying different fun games and crafts.  John (my husband) got out some toy cars and a screwdriver (as if it were the most normal thing in the world) and sat beside Sammy, letting him unscrew two screws on the bottom of the cars, take the cars apart, and then reassemble them by putting them back together with the screws.  I was in SHOCK!  I didn’t know toy cars were that easy to take a part and rebuild!!  The cars came apart in 2 or 3 pieces!  So, if this is not common knowledge for you – please let me explain a little more.

Most toy cars (like fisher price, wooden cars, or even some little metal cars) have two screws in the bottom.  The ones that don’t have screws have little metal rivets.  You need cars with the screws.

Next, have your little one twist the screws out of the car.  The first time you do this you may need to start the screw for the little ones as it is a bit stiff.

how we learn about screwdrivers

Once these screws are out, the toy car easily comes apart in two or three pieces (just be careful not to lose the screws).

Finally, once your little one is done exploring the car, they can simply rebuild it and screw the screws back in!

how we learn about tools

I love this activity because of its amazing simplicity – but also because of the way it strengthens little hands and is wonderful for fine motor skill.  My preschooler has sat focused on this activity for a very long time!

I just love when I stumble upon something that is brand new to me!  And my husband loved it too – whenever he comes up with an activity for the kids he asks if it is “blog-worthy” … And this time it finally was!

Sammy is thankfully feeling better – his leg has healed well enough that he is back to his regular shenanigans.  Yet surprisingly, when it is time to brush his teeth, it hurts again … so much so that he cannot walk to the bathroom … Odd how that happens.

Looking for other ways to strengthen little hands for future writing? Be sure to check out A Year of Educational Quiet Bins!

Filed Under: Explore, Other Learning Fun, Preschooler, Quiet Time, Science

« Connecting with Nature: A Spring Nature Walk
Hula Hoop Outdoor Tunnel »

Comments

  1. Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says

    April 25, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    This is awesome, Sarah! I have never thought to do this, and my son loves using tools, so this will be perfect for him. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    May 14, 2014 at 6:23 am

    This is a great idea – and sometimes those “common knowledge” ideas are just the ones people forget about! My daughter loves taking this apart but I didn’t think of this one – she’s going to love it!

    Reply
  3. Lyn says

    May 30, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Thank goodness! I have been searching everywhere for an idea to support my 4 year old’s interest in ‘working’ on cars. He’s temporarily (I hope) bored of building cars from construction kits and wants to play mechanic.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      May 30, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      Oh great! So happy to have helped! My little guys switch interests all the time as well, and no lost interests seem to be to permanent. Thank you for taking the time to comment Lyn!

      Reply
  4. Julie says

    August 26, 2019 at 9:39 pm

    reminds me of when my son was little and used to take apart his star wars action figures and put them back together – sometimes he switched out the arms and legs. Will try this with his daughters. – grandma

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 16, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      That is so funny! I can imagine those action figures would be perfect for Halloween! Ha! Thank you for sharing that memory with me Julie

      Reply
  5. Stacy says

    October 4, 2019 at 8:05 am

    Where did you find these cars? I’ve been looking everywhere and can’t seem to find any that have only two screws.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 1, 2019 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Stacy, these cars are Fisher Price I believe.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 512 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, other. Drop file here

Annual Sale Save $40 and Get FREE Shipping on the Kindergarten at Home Curriculum!
Did you know that 90% of a child's brain growth happens before age 6? Play into Kindergarten Readiness

Visit my Sponsor Oak Meadow

Follow How Wee Learn

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
For every step of your journey
  • For Ages 1.5-3
  • For Ages 3-5
  • For Ages 4-6
  • For Ages 6-8
  • For Ages 6-12

Shop Resources


Copyright © 2023 · How Wee Learn · Privacy Policy · designed by blogger boutique · Genesis Framework

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
126 shares
  • 5