Hi ya’ll! The other day I had the idea to make a DIY Cardboard Road Mat for my 3 kids. I’m so glad I did because they love it!
They each have their own wooden or plastic tracks, but they never like to share them. However, on this piece of cardboard they play so nicely together. (Maybe I should make all of their toys from cardboard…maybe cardboard holds the key to the end of sibling rivalry 😉)
What you need to make a diy cardboard road mat:
- Cardboard box. (Any size.)
- Markers or Crayons.
- Scissors or a sharp Utility Knife.
How to make a diy cardboard road mat
** I want to give everyone fair warning- I was not blessed with any artistic abilities. If you look closely at the picture you will see my drawing skills are quite elementary. So please do not expect this to look professional. (hehe)
Step 1:
The first step is really easy. Simply open the top and the bottom of the box. Then, using a utility knife or scissors, cut down one corner of the box so it will open and lay flat.
Step 2:
The second step is to draw a road across the cardboard. You can either make it one straight road from end to end. Or you can create curves and side roads that lead to parks and stores.
It’s time to get creative!
Step 3:
The third step is to draw special places. I let each of my kids pick a place/store for me to draw. So, my daughter chose Walmart. My oldest son chose Arby’s. And my youngest son chose a Toy Store. I added a park because they all 3 love the great outdoors, especially if a playground is included! Then I let them decorate the rest of the cardboard!
Feel free to add any destination you like. Then add trees, road signs, rail road tracks, and even guard rails! Be creative, let your kids be creative. A DIY Cardboard Road Mat is a great way for your kids to expand their imagination, while working on their motor skills and sharing skills!
Step 4:
The last step is to add the toys! I added small character figures, trees, and toy cars. Later my kids even added Barbies, action figures, and large cars. But you can also add toy stop signs, road blocks, and toy houses. There is no limit to the fun your kids can have with a piece of cardboard!
When the kiddos are all done playing, simply fold it up and slide it in the closet or under a bed. A DIY Cardboard Road Mat is cheap entertainment and easy to store…two of every mom’s selling points!
I hope ya’ll enjoyed this little DIY!
Also, please leave a comment below letting me know if you tried this and how well your kiddos liked it!
And for more fun kid entertainment check out my Crafts and DIY page!