Make a car wash water activity for toddlers using a milk jug, plastic cups, and garden hose! This is a really easy way to keep your kiddos engaged in sensory play outside. 

Don’t be afraid of a little mud. This activity will get your kids to mess around with mud and soil – and they are going to love it! I’ll share some tips that will help you minimize the mess a bit. 

Learning to Clean Up with This Water Activity for Toddlers

This fun water activity for toddlers will encourage your kiddos to enjoy washing things (which is a fantastic life skill).

It also encourages imaginative play. They will become immersed in the world of washing their toy cars – watching them go from completely muddy to nice and clean. The best part is, it doesn’t require any expensive parts!

Watch the Video to See This Water Activity for Toddlers in Action

Here’s a quick video of my toddler getting his toy cars really dirty and then washing them off in the car wash. As you can see, he loves washing the cars off as much as he likes smothering them in the dirt.

One tip for the best car wash: use really strong tape. Another tip, make your own bowl of soil for your kiddos to mix onto their toy cars. This way, it controls how messy they can get. Also, just turn the hose on a little bit to conserve water and place activity nearby grass or a garden bed that could use some extra hydration!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Printable Worksheets for the Transportation Lover!

When the weather is warm enough, this activity will encourage your kiddos to want to be outside! However, if going outside isn’t an option, and you simply don’t want to do this activity inside, this printable bundle is perfect for the transportation lover!

Planes, trains, cars, and boats – these worksheets feature all things that move on land, air and sea while giving your little one a strong foundation for early childhood education skills. Topics covered include letter writing, phonics, number recognition, counting, scissor skills, color recognition, and so much more.

For more printable materials, definitely check out our full collection!

• Cardboard (for the sign)
• Hose
• Cars

• Empty Milk Jug
• 2 Plastic Cups
• Strong Tape
• Cardboard (for the sign)
• Hose
• Cars

Step 4

Place your hose inside the top of the milk gallon & turn it on to it’s lowest level.

Step 5

Mix some soil in a bowl with a little water. Let your kiddo get their toy cars dirty and then wash them in the water that is pouring out of the bottom of the toy car wash.  

Step 1

Poke holes into the center-bottom of an empty gallon of milk.

Step 2

Use strong tape to secure 2 tall plastic cups on either side of the poked holes.

Step 3

Decorate with car wash sign (if you so wish!)

Step 4

Place your hose inside the top of the milk gallon & turn it on to it’s lowest level.

Step 5

Mix some soil in a bowl with a little water. Let your kiddo get their toy cars dirty and then wash them in the water that is pouring out of the bottom of the toy car wash.  

As they make the car dirty and then wash it off, they are also exercising their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Why isn’t that one wheel getting clean? How can they make the water come out faster? It’s all part of cause and effect.

This is also fun for all ages. Everyone can gather around the car wash and share it. It’s a fun way to encourage them to play together too.

Educational Benefits of this Water Activity for Toddlers

This water activity for toddlers might not teach reading or writing, but being outside and playing in the earth and water is still very good for your kids! 

Even though young kids will enjoy it, this is truly a fantastic sensory activity for kids of all ages! From the grit of the soil to the ice-cold water from the hose, there are so many textures to experience. 

Playing in the mud can help kids reduce their stress levels and even make them feel calmer. It’s one of the many benefits of both sensory play and being out in the sunshine. 

When kids interact with different textures in sensory activities like this one, their brain actually forms new connections. It gives them the foundations they need later on to learn new concepts.

As they make the car dirty and then wash it off, they are also exercising their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Why isn’t that one wheel getting clean? How can they make the water come out faster? It’s all part of cause and effect.

This is also fun for all ages. Everyone can gather around the car wash and share it. It’s a fun way to encourage them to play together too.