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By The Educators Spin On It

SPLASH, GIGGLE, and LEARN. How to set up Car Wash Subtraction

Car Wash Subtraction: a fun outdoor math activity for kids

Learn and Play CARS! An Outside Math Activity for Kids: How to set up a Car Wash Subtraction Activity for kids. Great for ages 3-7!

Car wash subtraction is the perfect summer play and learning inspiration. It’s a casual way to start bringing the idea of subtraction, or take-away, into your child’s vocabulary.

Car Wash Subtraction: Child having fun washing cars and learning math outdoors

Early mornings with my preschooler are my favorite time of day. He’s in a good mood. We can be outside before the sun gets to hot. And I have my morning coffee.

This outside math activity makes a perfect station for water day! You could set it up indoors too – just make sure there are lots of towels around to mop up the water fun.

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Car Wash Subtraction Activity

Ages: Best for ages 3-6

Learning Objective: Children will orally act out a sim

Vocabulary: scrub, subtraction

Materials Needed for Car Wash Subtraction

  • Wide container (Tupperware or water toy )
  • Water
  • Dirty cars (no batteries)
  • Dish soap
  • Wash cloth
  • Towels

Explore our collection of the best car and truck books for kids.

Directions for Car Wash Subtraction Math

  1. Set up the car washing station. Put a very small amount of dish soap in the container. Then fill with water. This will create the bubbles.
  2. Set the dirty cars next to the container in a row. (Ours played in the sandbox before this activity)
  3. Count the number of cars that need to be washed. Place a few in the car wash. Start scrubbing. Show your child how to scrub with the washcloth if needed.

“We washed 3 cars.

10 take away 3 is 7.

We still have 7 cars left to wash.
That’s car wash subtraction.”

  1. Repeat counting, subtracting, and washing until all the cars are clean.
  • How many cars do we have all together?
  • How many cars are clean?
  • How many cars need to be washed?
Car Wash Subtraction - spashing fun way to learn math

Activity Extension for Car Wash Subtraction:

For advanced learners, let them write several subtraction problems out using chalk on the sidewalk. 10-3=7 Then, have them act out the subtraction problem with the cars and car wash.

Outdoor Car Play and Learning Cars and Colors
Zoom and Learn, a FUN & EASY literacy activity for preschoolers. Get learning outside with this alphabet car activity for kids.
Letter matching roads: a great way to practice the alphabet outside. Letter learning fun!

FOR EVEN MORE PLAYFUL LEARNING CAR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, YOU MAY ENJOY

  • Letter Matching Roads
  • Learning about Weight with Cars
  • Coloring Sorting Car Game
  • How Many Cars Equals 1 Lb?
  • Magnetic Car Sensory Bin
  • The Best Car and Truck Books for Kids

You may also enjoy these activities…

20 Math Activities for preschoolers and toddlers
Preschool Lesson Plans for Parents
Children's Books about Cars and Trucks

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Filed Under: Math Tagged With: Amanda, cars, math, Outdoor Fun, Preschool, Summer, Transportation

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