Disclosure: This blog post, contributed by Georgina of Craftulate, contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
Looking for a fun and easy activity to keep your little one busy? How about a simple cardboard parking lot that engages your child’s interests with a car parking game and builds early math skills with a number match activity, too?
Make a Cardboard Parking Lot for Number Matching Fun!
This play-based number matching activity requires only a cardboard box, some stickers, a marker, and your child’s favorite matchbox cars. Plus, this kids car parking game is easily adaptable for toddlers, preschoolers, Kindergartners, or really any age group or grade level.
So, grab a piece of cardboard from the recycling bin and have your kiddo gather up some toy cars, and let the fun begin!
DIY Cardboard Parking Lot Supplies and Instructions:
First, you’ll need to transform a plain old cardboard box into a fun parking garage. Don’t worry; it’s easier than you think!
A medium-sized box will work best. Just use scissors or a utility knife to cut the sides of the box down to around 3″ to 4″ high.
Then, cut and fold down a section on one side to create an entrance ramp for the cars to drive into your cardboard parking garage. We only made one entrance ramp, but you could cut side flaps on other sides, too. Just make sure to leave lots of room inside your garage for parking spaces.
Now, grab a black marker and draw your parking spaces inside the bottom of the box. We drew ours around the inside edges of the box.
Next, write a number inside each parking space. We used numbers 1 through 15, but you can use any numbers your child is learning.
Finally, add a matching number sticker to the roof of each of your toy cars. That’s it! You’ve made a homemade cardboard parking garage for endless car parking and number matching fun!
A Fun Number Matching Activity with Your New Cardboard Parking Lot
When I presented my preschooler with his new cardboard car garage, he was so excited to start playing! I let him explore the it independently first, but it didn’t take him long to start recognizing the numbers and parking cars in their matching number parking spots.
When my child got bored playing independently, I came up with some more guided number matching activities.
I called out a random number for him to find and park the number car in its matching number parking spot. If he got stuck, we counted the parking spaces together, pointing to each one as we counted, until we found the correct number.
When we got all of our toy cars parked in their corresponding parking spaces, we counted them aloud again and celebrated with a little dance party.
This was such an easy play-based number match game to set up for a toddler or preschooler. I know my little one will get lots of learning and fun out of it!
Full Cardboard Parking Lot Number Matching Activity Tutorial:
DIY Cardboard Parking Lot Number Matching Activity
Tools
- scissors (or utility knife)
Materials
- cardboard box (medium-large)
- permanent marker (black)
- number stickers (1-15, or blank labels with numbers written on them)
- 15 small toy cars
Steps
- Use scissors or utility knife to cut sides of cardboard box down to around 3- to 4-inches high.
- Cut a flap on one side wide enough for a toy car to fit through, then fold it down to create an entrance ramp.
- Use permanent marker to draw 4-inch perpendicular lines around 3 inches apart along the inside edges of the bottom of the box to create parking spaces.
- Write a number inside each parking space, from 1 through 15.
- Place number stickers on the roofs of 15 small toy cars to create a matching numbered car for each numbered parking space.
- Give the cardboard parking lot and numbered cars to your child and watch them play and learn!
Notes
Adaptations and Extensions for Learning:
- Choose numbers the child is currently learning.
- Adjust the number of cars/parking spaces.
- Label parking spaces in numerical order or randomly for greater challenge.
- Guide the child to count and touch each car/parking space at the beginning of play and when they get stuck.
- Try an auditory number recognition game; call out a random number, and have the child identify the number car and park it in its matching parking spot.
- For a Kindergartener or older child learning number sight words, label each parking space with a number word to match each numbered car.
- Try an addition and/or subtraction car math game; park 2 or 3 cars in random spaces (or ask child to do so) and have the child add the numbers. Alternatively, drive one car away and subtract that number from the total.
Preschool Number Games and Toys on Amazon:
Don’t have the time to make the DIY cardboard parking lot game above? No worries! Check out these preschool number games and toys you can purchase right on Amazon…
Educational Insights Shelby’s Snack Shack Preschool Math GameDinhon Kids Learning LocksArizona GameCo Number Slap JackCoolToys Monster Balance Math GameThink Fun Zingo 1-2-3 Number Bingo GameWooden Number Tracing Board SetLearning Resources Smart Snacks Number PopsSkoolzy STEM Apple Factory Learning ToyOsmo-Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Early Math AdventureLearning Educational Sensory Numbers
Plus, find all of our favorite kids math games and toys in B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop: Cool Math Games and Goodies for Kids
Like this Cardboard Car Parking Game Idea? Then, Save It & Share It!
Don’t forget to save this fun car parking game and number matching activity to come back to. And share it with friends! Simply use the buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Or, click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend
More Fun Number Matching Activities for Kids:
- 5 Fun Number Games for Kids
- Printable Car Number Match Activity Video
- DIY Mitten Number Match Counting Activity
- Printable Beach-Themed Preschool Number Puzzle
- Basic Printable Number Match Counting Game
- A Simple DIY Counting Sticks Busy Bag for Preschoolers
- Math Fun with DIY Number Rocks
Disclosure: This blog post, contributed by Georgina of Craftulate, contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
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Niki at Toot's Mom is Tired says
Such a good idea! I want to try this with my toddler.
Cher says
Thank you for sharing this great idea. We have a new foster grandson and I’m anxious for him to try this.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Awe – I’m so glad you’re going to try it. I hope he has fun!
E.H. says
This is a great idea that combines fun with learning. Brilliant!!!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
I think so, too! It was contributed by Craftulate. Definitely look up that blog for more fun ideas!
Jacquie Morrical says
If you use a large pizza box you can store everything in the box besides.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Now that’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Surekha says
Great idea! I’ve got a good collection of cars and my children are going to love this! Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning 🙂
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Isn’t it, though?! This is one of our most popular ideas here at B-Inspired Mama. Thanks for stopping by! And pinning! 😉
Acey says
Great idea! I’m modifying this to be an auditory memory game for a seven year old with bilateral cochlear implants!
(Park the green car in space 4 and the blue car in space 5….park the green car four spaces left of space 8)
So excited, I think he will love this!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Brilliant!!! So glad you’ve found some inspiration. 🙂
Sarah Mueller says
What a sweet idea! My almost 3 year old will adore this game. He’s always looking for matches between colors and things.
Maria Gorete da Silva says
Gostei demais dessa ideia,fiz pro meu pequeno ele adorou!!!
Valerie says
This looks very inviting. We did something somewhat similar last year with first letter sounds and “vehicles” on a “parking” sheet during out transportation week. We had a “h” “helicopter”, “c” “car”, “b” boat”, “t” “train” and more. So the idea is highly adaptable as well. I just love the huge cardboard Georgina used compared to my tiny sheet! 🙂
Ashley says
So cute my little guy will love this when he gets a little older!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
I know! My J.C. will, too. 🙂
Ashley says
Featured you this week on Mom’s Library!
Denise says
Great simple play idea, Krissy. I just made a couple to add to the cars and garage area in my developmental preschool classroom. I have some little ones who I think will enjoy parking their cars in the lot! My tykes always have trouble recognizing and naming the “teens”, so one of my objectives was to include this in play. You’ve come up with an authentic play scheme. ~Denise
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Actually all of the credit goes to George of Craftulate. She’s got so many great ideas! I’m so glad that you’ll be able to use this one in the classroom, Denise!
Krista @ the happy housie says
This is such a great idea to use with my kindergarteners at the start of the year… You could also adapt it to have each parking spot have a specific number of dots and then the kids have to match the numbers on the car to the corresponding number of dots…. Thanks for sharing this! Pinning:)
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Great idea for an adaptation, Krista!
Jessica says
What a fun way to teach numbers! I like the use of stickers to label the cars. This could be modified for lots of different interests!
Laura M says
That is soo cute and clever! It looks like an activity that would be played with a lot at my house!
Andrea @ No Doubt Learning says
I love how you used stickers on the cars! What a fun activity for matching!
Sarah says
Awesome Idea! What a great way to use what you have and learn through play!