How to Build a Toy Truck

Plastic Toy Truck

Toy trucks can be made from a variety of materials. Wood trucks will be durable but require some tools and knowledge to make. Cardboard trucks can be made in an afternoon in several different sizes. Some models will have moving wheels, while others may only have decorative wheels as determined by the skill of the creator. Choose a size of truck desired before beginning.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cereal boxes (per truck)
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pen
• 2 wooden dowels
• 4 tuna cans -- tops removed
• 2 cups clay
• Glue
• Duct tape

Instructions

Cardboard Toy Truck Craft

1. Open each of the cereal boxes completely until they can be laid down as flat sheets of cardboard. Reverse the folds and reassemble them so the plain cardboard is on the outside. Tape the boxes closed.

2. Set one box down vertically with the other box laying behind it in a horizontal position. The vertical box is the cab of the truck. The horizontal box is the bed of the truck. Make a large "X" on the side of the horizontal box that is facing up. Measure 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the vertical cereal box in the middle of the left side. Mark with a small "x," and repeat on the right side of the cereal box. This is where the axle for the front wheels will be inserted. Measure down 2 inches from the top on the front of the vertical cereal box, and draw a horizontal line across the front of the box. Measure down 6 inches and draw another line horizontally. Measure in from the left side of the vertical box 2 inches, and draw a vertical line. Measure in from the right side of the vertical box 2 inches, and draw another vertical line. This should create a rectangle toward the top of the vertical cereal box. The rectangle is the windshield of the truck. Measure 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the horizontal cereal box and 2 inches forward from the back along the side. Mark with a small "x," and repeat on the other side of the horizontal cereal box. This is where the axles for the back wheels will be inserted.

3. Cut off the side of the horizontal cereal box that has the large "X" on it. Cut out the windshield on the vertical cereal box. Make a hole in each cereal box where a small "x" was placed. Insert the first wooden dowel into both holes in the vertical cereal box and the second dowel into the holes in the horizontal cereal box. The wooden dowels are the axles for the truck and should be able to turn freely. Set the vertical box in front of the horizontal box so that the windshield is toward the top and the horizontal box has the open side facing up. Tape the two boxes together with duct tape.

4. Fill each of the clean tuna cans completely with clay. Use a ruler to draw two straight lines across the layer of clay in each tuna can so that an "x" is formed. This is the center of the wheel. Press the first tuna can, clay side in, onto the wooden dowel. Remove the can and add a drop of glue to the hole created by the wooden dowel. Place the wheel back onto the dowel and press into place. Repeat with the other three wheels. Allow the glue to dry completely before playing with the truck.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint or decorate the truck as desired. Cut outside windows on the vertical box when cutting out the windshield if desired.

References

• Today is Fun: Pick Up Truck
• Enchanted Learning: Firetruck