It is no secret my son loves fire trucks. We often have to drive by the local station on the way home to see if the trucks are in or busy rescuing people. This fire truck craft does take some prep work but is a great lesson in shapes and as your child gets older you can simply give them the pieces and let them put them together like a puzzle. I was very hands off today and glad I was, he needed very little help. All I did was ask him where he thought each piece should go and what shape each was.
- Gather your materials. You will need some red, yellow, orange, white and black paper, scissors , a black marker and glue.
- Start by pre cutting the shapes. I started with a building with rectangle windows – this is not necessary I did this per my son’s request for something on fire. The picture of this is lost – I made it by cutting a black rectangle then folding it and making rectangle window cut outs.
- Next I cut out a ladder, a main rectangle for the truck, a square for the ab, a tiny square for the siren, 3 circles for the wheels and yellow and orange triangles for the flames coming out of the burning building. If your child is able simply draw the shapes and have them cut them out!
- Time for your little learner to join you. Add glue for the shapes.
- Start piecing them together- we started with the main part of the truck then the ladder.
- The cab and wheels.
- Don’t forget to ask your child what all these shapes are! Next we added the small square for a siren.
He added the building
- Next he channeled his toddler self and pretended to eat the glue ” No I am not eating it mama, I am playing with the air puffs.” That didn’t make me feel better !
- And the triangle flames.
- Let dry.
Books
Flashing Fire Engines by Tony Mitton is a favorite at our house. Normally even after my son and I read the books we review I grab them to do the write up , this is on my son’s shelf where it always is I know the whole thing off by heart as does my son , so no need to grab it for reference. The book is a rhyming masterpiece, somehow keeping up the rhyming pace as it explains how firefighters fight fires and rescue people! Details like what gear they wear, and how hoses and hydrants work are included as well as ladders and sirens. My son loves this book and as an adult who has read it hundreds of times it’s fun to read, even over and over again.
All Aboard Fire Trucks by Teddy Slater is never where i expect it to be in my house, because my son carries it around to read all by himself. No at 3 he isn’t reading yet instead he’s memorized much of this text and likes to sit and go over the many types of fire vehicles that are discussed in this very detailed book. I have learned a lot from this book. It covers the basics but also goes into the more specialized fire vehicles like airport firetrucks, foam units for chemical fires and bulldozers used in forest fires. If your child gasps every time they see a firetruck, can tell a pumper from a ladder and dreams of fighting fires, they will love this informative book!
Tonka: Fire Trucks by Melissa A Torres is another favorite of my son. This is a Tonka book and has wheels that really roll which has served us well while traveling. It serves a double duty as a book and toy. The book itself isn’t bad either- which surprised me because usually novelty books like this usually underwhelm me. This book covers all the major types of vehicles used to fight fires, a pumper, an aerial ladder truck, fire chief’s truck, rescue truck and fire boat. Just the right amount of info is given for each and the illustrations support the text well. If your child isn’t into fire trucks I wouldn’t go searching out this book but if they are it’s a a worthy addition to your library of firetruck books.
Michelle Melnik says
We’ll definitely have to do this one. We were at the playground yesterday, and my daughter was running around to all the other children “Let’s play fire station”. No swings or slides, just fire station.
admin says
My son was doing the same thing at preschool yesterday which is why we did this craft! On the way home I suggested it and he couldn’t even wait for lunch before making it. Have fun!
jeana says
my boys will LOVE this, can’t wait to do it!
.-= jeana´s last blog ..Spring Mantel =-.
Amber says
CUTE! We will have to do this one.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Another blog giveaway! =-.
Cara says
My son LOVES firetrucks too (in addition to garbage trucks and construction trucks), so I’m definitely bookmarking this craft. We drive by the fire station frequently to see if the trucks are home. He got a firefighter costume for Christmas, and loves to pretend to be a fireman. I’ve added the books you mentioned to our Amazon wish list. One other firetruck book my son loves is Firefighters to the Rescue!
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Sparkling Sea Breeze Punch =-.
Jackie says
Love this! My g’son will too! Can’t wait to do it with him.
I just want to thank you for all the ideas you share. I am sure this helps so many people. I know I have gotten plenty of ideas to do with my grandson. I get him one day per week (he is 3) and we usually make time to do a craft. And many times we pick one of your crafts to do. Thanks again!
admin says
Jackie you are so welcome- that is exactly why I do it 🙂
Cara- we JUST ( like an hour ago) took that out from the library again. I have reviewed it but it was ages ago and I want my son’s older take on it. Look for it in a book review post soon!
liana says
Thanks for sharing this, I’ll try it soon 🙂
.-= liana´s last blog ..TGIF =-.
SuZ says
We just did this one this morning. My daughter loved it. Thanks for sharing. Ever think you’ll post a dinosaur craft project?
🙂
SuZ
Amanda says
He is so cute!! Love the firetruck!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Plastic Lid Ladybugs =-.
Melanie says
Thanks for posting this! It was just the craft I was looking for today!
Dannell Windle says
Previou year,our class haved made a firetruck craft. This year I will had the building. This will be a good visually for them.