Ready for an amazing outdoor activity? It’s time to Clean the Cars.

Tell me I can only do ONE outdoor activity with my kids this summer and THIS is the activity I would pick. All day, every day, clean the cars is THAT GOOD of an activity. From toddlers to big kids – this activity hooks EVERYONE.

RELATED: Looking for more fun summer activities? Check out my list of 50+ activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

Why is this activity so good?

Because, that’s why.

Ok ok I’m guessing you want a little more than that.

How about – it’s just kind of magical? There’s this amazing need, want, desire that kids have to be helpful and to do jobs. When a child plays “clean the cars” they are both being helpful and doing a job so it satisfies all their little needs.

It’s also fun.

It’s also simple.

It’s also something they can be successful at.

We love to play clean the cars…

And Wash the Dogs…

And Clean the Trucks…

And Wash the Toys…

Are you sensing a theme here?

When I told you that my kids would do this activity every day of the summer, I wasn’t kidding around. It was a legitimate sentence.

In fact, two weeks after doing this activity and it’s STILL SET UP outside, being played with daily.

The 411 on the set up

To put this activity together, I recommend using TWO storage bins.

One for the mud.

One for the soapy water.

I like to use my longest, 41 qt storage container and set a second, smaller container in with it. Think “double binning”.

Next, I get my Busy Mommy on and scoop dirt into the LARGER tub. Add a little water to make some mud. In the smaller container, that’s where I’ll put the soapy water.

Just a little tip from me to you: Use tear free soap for the bubbles….trust me…

Now dump in the cars and get them dirty!

Start by hiding, burying, driving a bunch of toy cars into the mud.

Give your child a scrubby brush, sponge, wash cloth – cleaning supplies and open this bin for business.

Set back and let them clean the cars…

This is a great independent play activity and it’s so important to just let the child work through the bin, and interact with the materials as they see fit.

If your child takes a different turn or take on the activity, that’s fine and great and wonderful because it means they have a vivid and active imagination.

We want kids to alter activities to fit them.

We want kids to branch out and play how they want to.

Play is the important part – not the activity.

Don’t worry about the mess, we set this up outside for a reason!

Remember to let the mess go.

We put this outside for a reason.

Grab the hose, get a towel, and clean is just a few moments away. There’s nothing here that a little water can’t fix.

This really is one of my family’s favorite activities… will it be yours?

When will your child Clean the Cars?