DIY Firefighter Costume – How to Make a Fire Truck

Tips for Making This DIY Firefighter Costume Wagon

Save all the Cardboard! The main supply we used for our DIY fire truck was cardboard! I am a cardboard hoarder, so it wasn’t hard for me to piece all of it together to make the costume, but in case you are an avid cardboard recycler, make sure you start saving!

The Paint. There are lots of different ways you could color your fire truck, but one of the quickest approaches is to use spray paint. The paint comes out evenly, fast, and dries quickly. Of course, you will want to keep the kiddos away for this process and do it outside (or in the garage with the doors open, like I did) for proper ventilation!

If you love making your own costumes, you’ll have to check out our DIY Astronaut Costume and DIY Artist Costume!

• Red Cups
• Wagon
• Firefighter Costume

• Cardboard 
• Spray Paint
• Strong Tape
• Red Cups
• Wagon
• Firefighter Costume

Step 3

Spray paint all of the pieces. We kept the top white, the bottom red, and the details yellow and white for the most part.

Step 4

Once dry, add the painted pieces to the wagon, securing them with tape.

Step 5

Put the red solo cups on top as the sirens and let the kids have fun! 

Step 1

Gather your cardboard pieces and cut out the following shapes: 2 rectangles (to wrap around the side of the truck), 4 squares (for the top of the truck – alternatively if you have a square box, just remove 2 of the sides), 2 right triangles (for the side windows). Plus, cut out the details: circles for lights, small rectangles for the grill, 2 x ladders, and 2 x badges. 

Step 2

For the top of the truck, be sure to cut out windows (as pictured) within the 3 square pieces and within the 2 right triangles.

Step 3

Spray paint all of the pieces. We kept the top white, the bottom red, and the details yellow and white for the most part.

Step 4

Once dry, add the painted pieces to the wagon, securing them with tape.

Step 5

Put the red solo cups on top as the sirens and let the kids have fun! 

The Benefits of Pretend Play

This DIY fire truck is a fun way to create a lasting vehicle that can be used for pretend play, aka imaginative play, aka dramatic play!

Imaginative play has so many benefits. It allows kiddos an opportunity to strengthen so many skills through play. Think: language development, social, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving, and self-regulation skills, to name a few. It really spans the spectrum!

The amazing thing about pretend play is how children often act out real-life scenarios allowing them an incredible opportunity to encounter social and emotional situations and roles.