How to set up Car Wash Subtraction Activty for Kids

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.

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.

Are you a teacher? 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.

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

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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

Directions for Car Wash Subtraction Math

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.
Set the dirty cars next to the container in a row. (Ours played in the sandbox before this activity)
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.”

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.