Anyone else swimming in transportation toys? Well, good news. This transportation toy sort is a blast! Transportation toy sorting begins with items we already own. Cars. Trucks. Airplanes. Oh, my! Using transportation toys that you already own to introduce or reinforce a concept is a true way to get preschoolers thinking!
Why? – Because children are already invested in something they value as their own. Bring current toys into your Breakfast Invitations and watch participation soar!
Transportation Toy Sort
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 3 minutes
- ▶️ Play Time: 30 minutes
- ✏️ Supplies: See them here
- 💬 Conversation Starter: I wonder how many transportation toys we have. Can you find them and put them in this laundry basket?
- 😁 Language to Use: I notice some have wheels, and others have wings. Why is that?
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use delicate painter’s tape or add tape to the carpet if you think it may take off the finishing. Ours does not come off, but I have heard it does for others.
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DAYS WITH GREY SHOP
Craving a Calmer Morning?
Breakfast invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
What makes this activity great
Preschoolers are taking an object they come into contact with daily (cars, trucks, airplanes) and building onprior knowledge.
Your preschooler may already know the car has wheels and the airplane has wings.
When they begin to classify and sort by land, air, and water, preschoolers expand thinking further.
Now, the plane has wings, but I associate the airplane with a form of transportation that flies.
Of course, a preschooler may have known this before the game, but they are now categorizing and comparing it with other modes of transportation. Sorting is a math skill your child will use for life.
Children now have the opportunity to see an old toy in a new way.
RELATED: The NAEYC thinks transportation is pretty important as well! This educational article will help explain.
What your child is learning through play
Of course, there is a time and place for writing and fine motor grip. In fact, if you are new to our page, you will see that we do not turn to worksheets even then.
Learning needs to be touched.
Understanding needs to be explored.
Play needs to be child-led.
After introducing a new learning prompt to my preschooler, I try to stand back and watch his thinking.
Many times, I see my idea evolve into something different that is still beneficial to his learning.
What I noticed as my child played
My four-year-old sorted and then created a tunnel under the table.
Look, Mom! I am pushing this long row of cars in the tunnel!
And there we go! I introduced sorting different types of transportation, and my four-year-old transitioned the activity to imaginary play.
BOTH are valuable for my preschooler’s development.
RELATED: How do we store our cars, trucks, planes, and other open-ended toys? Here is an inside look at our playroom.
Easy Set Up
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If you follow us on Instagram, you know that I like to show you how to set up Breakfast Invitations in a flash!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the extra time to prep with much cutting and pasting.
I do have time to grab items we already own and put down some painter’s tape to help guide learning.
Side note: If you, too, enjoy using painter’s tape, here are 25 easy painter’s tape activities to try.
Supplies
Once your child gathers the transportation toys, you will need two simple supplies to get this ready.
Days with Grey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Painter’s Tape
Painter’s tape is the MVP of all things. Be sure to use on carpet or select delicate tape if you are concerned about your floor finishing.
Washable Markers
Do I keep a fresh pack to myself? I sure do. Why? Because I remember to keep the tops on. (wink, wink)
Set Up
- Write land, air, water on three small pieces of paper.
- Make three rows with your painter’s tape.
- Place a large bucket of transportation toys to the left of your setup. Why place it on the left? Read about why items go to the left HERE.
Conversation starters
Ideally, that quick prompt is all you need to get started. Sometimes, he may need a little more.
I come down to my preschooler’s level to investigate a little further. That way, we make eye contact, and he sees that I am engaging in his learning.
- Look! This says water, this says land, and this says air. I wonder if we can sort out our transportation?
- This firetruck has wheels. Does it move on land, water, or fly in the air?
Remember, completing the task may not be the goal. Exposing preschoolers to different ways to sort transportation.
When your preschooler takes longer than you had planned, or gets distracted, encourage thinking with simple prompts or let them be. Your preschooler may surprise you with what they discover on their own! – Add this idea to your predictable routine to inspire learning through play.
Ready to set this up? I’d love to hear how it goes! Drop me a comment below and share your experience!
