Toy Car Wash Basket

What you'll need

• 10-15 small toy cars, trucks, or diggers (the dirtier the better)
• One plastic tub or basin for the soapy wash
• A second smaller bucket for clean rinse water
• A small squeeze bottle of dish soap or baby shampoo
• One kitchen sponge cut in half for little hands
• An old soft toothbrush for scrubbing wheels and small details
• A folded old towel or cloth rag for drying
• A small tray or piece of cardboard as the 'drying station'

How to make it

1. 1

   Head outside to a patio, grass, or driveway — anywhere water can splash freely.

2. 2

   Fill the big tub about a third of the way with warm water and squeeze in a small drop of dish soap. Swirl gently to make bubbles.

3. 3

   Fill the smaller bucket with plain water for rinsing and set it next to the tub.

4. 4

   Line up the dirty cars in a row and place the sponge, toothbrush, towel, and drying tray around the wash so everything is in reach.

5. 5

   Show your child the four stations: dunk the car in the soapy tub, scrub the body with the sponge, scrub the wheels and tiny spots with the toothbrush, then dip in the rinse bucket.

6. 6

   Pull the clean car out and lay it on the towel to pat dry, then move it to the drying station tray.

7. 7

   Repeat with each car — kids love making a whole assembly line and often invent their own order.

8. 8

   When every car is sparkling, let your child pour out the water together and hang the towel to dry.