Clean the Cars: Outdoor Sensory

A sensory activity that’s perfect for outside fun: this is clean the cars. It’s a simple outdoor activity that can be set up in minutes and provide hours, days, weeks of continuous play. Read the below article to learn more about this fantastic activity.

Clean the Cars: The Ultimate Outdoor Sensory Activity

Ready for an outdoor activity that kids will beg to do again and again? It’s time to Clean the Cars!

If I could only do ONE outdoor activity with my kids all summer long, this would be it. Every. Single. Time. From toddlers to big kids, this is the backyard magic that hooks EVERYONE.

Why Clean the Cars is the Best Outdoor Sensory Activity

There’s something downright magical about kids and jobs. Give them a task, and they’ll run with it. Cleaning toy cars is the perfect blend of helpful and fun. They get to work, make a mess, and scrub it all clean. It’s independent play at its best—plus, it’s an amazing outdoor sensory experience.

• Sensory Play? Check.
  Mud, water, bubbles, scrubbing—it’s a tactile dream.
• Fine Motor Skills? Check.
  Those little hands are gripping, scrubbing, squeezing, and rinsing.
• Imaginative Play? Double Check.
  Watch them drive through the mud, splash in puddles, and line up their clean cars for inspection.

RELATED: Looking for more fun summer activities? Check out my list of 50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids!

How to Set Up a Clean the Cars Station

You only need a few things to make this the best backyard setup of the summer:

1. Two Storage Bins:

• I like to use my largest, 41-quart storage container and a smaller one to fit inside.
• Think “double binning” for easy mud and wash access.

2. Dirt + Water = Mud:

• Scoop some dirt into the larger container, add water, and mix it up. You want that good, mucky mud!

3. Soapy Water:

• Fill the smaller container with warm water and a little tear-free soap (trust me on this one). Suds galore!

4. Toy Cars (and maybe more):

• Give your child a sponge, scrub brush, or washcloth—now they’re ready to work.
• Bury, drive, and hide those cars in the mud.

Expand the Sensory Activity Fun

Why stop with just cars? Try:

• Wash the Dogs: Plastic pups love a good bath.
• Clean the Trucks: Those big wheels need some serious scrubbing.
• Wash the Toys: Action figures, dinosaurs, even play kitchen dishes—if it fits, it gets cleaned!

Are you sensing a theme here? A “cleaning sensory bin” works for kids.

Let Them Lead the Way

Here’s the best part: let them take over.

Set up the bins and step back. Kids know how to play; they don’t need directions. Want to pour more mud? Sure. Scrub the wheels for an hour? Perfect. Move on to washing rocks they found in the garden? Absolutely.

Play is the important part—not the exact activity.

Clean-Up? No Biggie.

Worried about the mess? Don’t be. This is why we set it up outside!

• Grab the hose.
• Get a towel.
• Watch the dirt and suds disappear.

There’s nothing here that a little water can’t fix. And hey, isn’t that part of the fun?

RELATED: Could your backyard toys use a refresh? Check out my curated list of outdoor toys for kids (from toddlers to tweens).

What are kids learning when they Clean the Cars?

This simple outdoor activity is more than just fun—it’s packed with learning opportunities!

• Imaginary Play: Immersing themselves in a play world and creating storylines as they wash and repair their cars.
• Fine Motor Skills: Gripping, scrubbing, and squeezing while they clean the cars.
• Cause and Effect: Seeing how mud and water interact—and how soap makes things clean again.
• Problem Solving: Figuring out the best way to scrub off mud or rinse away bubbles.
• Responsibility: Taking pride in a job well done as they see their cars go from muddy to sparkling.
• Sensory Exploration: Engaging with different textures like mud, water, bubbles, and smooth car surfaces.