19 Fun Transportation Crafts and Activities for Kids
When my two daughters were young, we spent lots of time getting them craft materials and coming up with activities. They were crazy about any kind of stickers, and loved to glue, cut, color, decorate … you name it.
But then I had a son. And it was a totally different story with him.
He wasn’t interested in coloring or stickers or puzzles or Mr. Potato Head, or even the kids’ TV shows that the girls had watched.
The only thing he cared about was vehicles. Cars. Trains. Monster trucks. Buses. Excavators. Cememnt mixers. Backhoes. Lightning McQueen. Mater.
The only way I could even try to interest him in a craft — or books, or TV shows, or anything else — was if it involved
That’s why I’ve put together a list of transportation crafts that are perfect for boys and girls.
Not only are they fun and easy to make, but they also create an opportunity to teach kids about different types of transportation and how they work. From airplanes to trains to boats to even hot air balloons, there are endless possibilities for transportation-themed crafts.
Whether you’re looking for a rainy day activity or a way to keep your kids entertained during a long car ride, these crafts are sure to be a hit.
So grab some paper, scissors, and glue, and let’s get crafting!
Why Transportation Crafts for Kids are Important
Crafts in general are a great way to encourage creativity and imagination in children. But transportation crafts take it a step further by incorporating a specific theme that kids can relate to and get excited about. (Case in point: my son.)
But transportation crafts aren’t just fun – they also offer a range of educational benefits.
By working with materials like glue, scissors, and supplies, kids can practice their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Reading and following instructions for printable crafts also helps with literacy and comprehension.
And for older children, transportation activities can even incorporate science concepts like gravity and motion.
Here are some of the key reasons why transportation crafts are so important:
Creativity and Fine Motor Skills
Crafts are a great way to encourage creativity and imagination in preschoolers. By making their own transportation crafts, kids can let their imaginations run wild and come up with all sorts of fun and unique designs. Plus, the act of creating something with their own hands helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Social and Math Skills
Crafts can also help kids develop important social and math skills. For example, working on a transportation craft with a friend or sibling can teach kids how to share and collaborate. And when it comes to math, measuring and counting out materials for a craft can help little ones develop their number sense and basic math skills.
Safety and Awareness
Finally, transportation crafts can also help kids learn about safety and awareness.
For example, making a paper airplane can teach kids about aerodynamics and the importance of balance and stability. And when it comes to transportation safety, making a car or train craft can help kids learn about road signs and traffic rules.
Creative Ways to Use Transportation Crafts
Of course there’s nothing at all wrong with doing a craft just for the sake of doing it (I sometimes do adult coloring pages, only to hang them on the fridge for a week and then toss them), but you can also use these for some clever ideas when you’re finished.
Decorate a Playroom
I love using transportation crafts to decorate a playroom! One idea is to create a transportation-themed banner using paper cutouts of different vehicles. You could also make a wall mural by painting or drawing different modes of transportation on a large piece of paper or canvas. Another fun idea is to create a transportation-themed garland using miniature toy vehicles and string.
Create a Race Track
Another way to use transportation crafts is to create a race track for your little ones to play with. You could use cardboard boxes to create a simple track, or you could get more creative and make a track out of felt or fabric. You could also use toy vehicles to create a race track on a table or on the floor. Your kids will love racing their cars and trucks around the track!
Make a Mobile
A transportation-themed mobile is a great way to add some fun decor to your child’s room. You could use paper cutouts of different vehicles, or you could use toy vehicles to create a mobile. Hang the mobile above your child’s bed or changing table for a fun and playful touch.
Transportation Crafts for Kids
Wine Cork Boat Craft
Do you remember the nursery rhyme that begins, "The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to seaIn a beautiful pea green boat"?
Well, here they are!
Depending on the age of your children, you may have to do the cork-painting yourself, but hey, that makes it even more fun, right?
Clothespin Cars
This little cars craft is so fun to wheel across the floor or roll down a homemade ramp. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Egg Carton Train
Put your egg cartons to good use by making this train! (There's also a link to instructions of how to make an egg carton helicopter.)
This craft uses both egg cartons and toilet paper rolls, so that materials and supplies will cost you next to nothing.
Rocket Bookmark Craft
This retro rocket is so easy to make with this free pattern template. An easy craft that even young kids can enjoy making with a glue stick.
Shoebox Train
Kids love having "homes" and things for their little stuffed friends, and this train craft allows them to create exactly that. Plus you'll finally have a good use for all those shoe boxes you've been holding onto!
Cardboard Sailboats
Discover the nautical alphabet used by sailors to communicate and decode the secret message being shared by these small cardboard sailboats.
Clothespin Airplanes: Snoopy and the Red Baron
Probably not what you expected from a clothespin airplane craft, so let me explain. Snoopy’s birthday is on August 10th and I was always a big fan when I was a kid! Growing up I loved watching Peanuts, with Snoopy and Woodstock being my favorite characters.
Farm Truck Paper Craft
This paper farm truck craft is the perfect boredom buster for kiddos. Just download the truck and tree template and get crafting.
School Bus Painting Project
In this super-easy process oriented art project, you don't "paint a school bus."
You paint uaing a school bus!
This is a great activity to do outdoors on a pretty day, because it involves both paint and a lot of space! Keep a big tub of soapy water and a toothbrush nearby for rinsing the paint, and it becomes a water play activity as well.
Sponge Painting Hot Air Balloon
This sponge activity activity can be put together quickly, or stretched to last as long as an hour.
It works as a Valentine's Day craft as well as an "anytime craft."
Rocket Puppet Template
Let kids blast off into space with this fun craft! This rocket puppet craft is not only fun to make, but also great for pretend play. 
Cardboard Play Snowplow
Invite little snowy weather fans to turn a cardboard box into a mini snow plow for small-world play (with optional moveable parts!)
Digger Truck Craft
This super simple digger truck craft uses different shapes made from construction paper to create a fun excavator craft.
Fill your finished excavator with a seasonal decoration like hearts or pumpkins or leave it blank for a fun transportation craft.
Toilet Paper Roll Rocket
Recycle those empty tissue paper rolls into a toilet paper roll rocket craft that is out of this world.
Photo School Bus Craft
Whether it’s back to school or just for fun, this photo bus craft is sure to be a hit with the kids. They’ll love seeing themselves inside the window!
DIY Toy Cars and Trucks from Scrap Wood
Kids will love designing their own scrap wood cars and trucks with this fun art, craft, & play project.
Wright Brothers Flyer
Learning about the Wright Brothers and their Wright Flyer is a great springboard for learning about other things that fly. Then make this fun wooden airplane.
Geronimo Stilton Mouse Straw Rocket
Look how to make an easy straw rocket. This simple and easy straw rocket activity is something that will keep the kids busy flying missions all day.
School Bus Template Craft
This Yellow School Bus template and craft idea are super fun for kids and a great back to school craft to make!
More Crafts for Kids
