Simple Cars Craft Inspired by the Movie

When it comes to crafts, there are so many fun kid craft ideas out there.  The thing is, most of them just don’t excite boys.  (Or maybe it’s that they just don’t excite MY boy.)

He has always loved car crafts, and Lightning McQueen is his absolute favorite movie. 

This Disney Cars Craft is the perfect mix of the two.  

Like so many boys, my son loves cars.  Actually, he used to be pretty obsessed with them, especially the ones from the Disney movie.  That’s why we’ve done so many car and vehicle activities over the years.

This car craft for kids that love the movie was a huge hit with him.  I know your kids will love it, too.  

And, if your family loves snuggling up with a few classic movies, check out these Lesson Plans for Disney Movies. 

Disney Cars Craft

This craft for the Cars movie would be fun to do at a party or just with your own fan.

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Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Toilet Paper Roll
• Acrylic Paint
• Construction Paper
• Permanent Markers
• Scissors
• Glue

Start by cutting a rectangle out of the top of the cardboard tube, leaving 1/4 inch on one of the short sides and folding it up.  This will become the car’s windshield where the eyes will be.

Then have your child paint the cardboard tube the color desired.  My son loves Lightning McQueen and couldn’t wait to craft his own, so the red paint started going on pretty quickly.

Let the paint dry completely.  While you’re waiting you might want to try some of these fun learning activities using toy cars.

Once your cardboard tube cars are dry, its time to add wheels.

Cut 4 black circles from construction paper.  We traced around a small roll of tape to make our circles.  

Then cut out 4 smaller white circles and glue them in the centers of the black circles.  These will be the car’s wheels.

Once the paint is dry, glue the 4 wheels in place.

Cut a small rectangle from white paper.  Cut a curved “V” shape at the top to form the eyes.  Then use marker to color the pupils and glue the eyes into place.

We added a small yellow construction paper lightning bolt on each side of our red car. 

Then we used an orange marker to write 95 on the lightning bolt to complete our Lighting McQueen craft. 

We also painted a few other cardboard rolls to create some more favorite characters.

A pair of buck teeth cut from white paper and a brown pipe cleaner as a tow hook created Mater, our favorite tow truck.

And of course we made one yellow, just like the newest race car. 

This simple inspired by Disney Cars Craft was one of my son’s favorites.  I hope your child loves it, too!

If you liked this craft, you’ll also like:

• Craft Stick Mater  by Glued to My Crafts
• Tipped Tractor Cupcakes (and tractor cake) 
• 25 Recycled Crafts for Kids

Originally published July 15, 2017.