How to Make a Train With Egg Cartons
Ever wonder what to do with those empty egg cartons? With just a few household supplies, you can create an egg carton train. Not only can you have fun designing the train, you can also use the train as an opportunity to teach your child. If you number the train cars, you can teach counting. If you letter the train cars, they will have a visual way to learn the alphabet. Paint each car a different color to teach colors. Making the train can be as simple or elaborate as your child will enjoy.
Things You'll Need
- Egg carton
- Non-toxic Paint
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Craft glue
- Cotton ball
- Yarn or string
- Painters tape
Instructions
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1
Cut the egg carton in half. Discard the top of the carton and keep the section that holds the eggs.
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2
Turn the egg carton upside-down. Paint the individual cups using the paint colors of your choice. Let the painted egg cups completely dry. Once the paint is dry, you may paint a number or letter on your car.
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3
Cut the egg carton lengthwise. Poke a hole in the first car and last car of the front egg carton half. Also poke a hole in the first car of the second egg carton half.
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4
Run a length of yarn or string through the first carton's first hole, then out the back hole and finally through the second carton's first hole. Tie the yarn or string so it does not pull through the hole. You can also secure it with tape for extra durability.
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5
Use your scissors to cut a rectangle out of the construction paper. Make the rectangle about one 1 to 2 inches by 4 inches, then roll it up lenghtwise and glue the edge to make the smokestack. To embellish, put a little glue on the cotton ball and stick the cotton ball on the top of the smokestack. Cut a little hole in your first egg car, inserting the smokestack. This will be the engine.
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6
Cut the construction paper in small circles to make the wheels of the train. You will need one for each side of the egg car.
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7
Put the painter tape down on the floor to make tracks for your train to follow.
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Tips & Warnings
You may also cut little windows in the egg cars. Use pictures of people or animals you have cut from magazines and tape them to the underside of the egg car so that the pictures are facing outward.
Always supervise small children when using scissors.
