Activity
Tricycle License Plates
Why do we display license plates on cars, buses, and trucks? License plates make it easy to track and identify vehicles, but they can also be a form of creative expression. So-called "vanity plates" can include combinations of numbers, letters, and words specially chosen by owners to reflect their hobbies, interests, and passions.
In this activity, your chld will design and create their very own original license plate to put on their tricycle. This fun, creative project will invite your child to think more about vehicles and transportation as they design a one-of-a-kind license plate for their ride.
What You Need:
- Cardboard or poster board
- Scissors
- Stencils or alphabet stickers (optional)
- Markers
- Clear contact paper
- String or yarn
- Hole punch
- Tricycle
- Blank paper for sketching
What You Do:
- Before you begin the project, you may want to familiarize your child with license plates. When you're out and about, encourage your child to take note of different license plates, or conduct a little online research together. How many numbers and letters do license plates have? What colors are they? Are there stickers or other markings on them, and what do these mean? Do license plates vary from state to state, or country to country?
- Gather your materials. Cut out an approximately 8" x 4" rectangle from the cardboard or poster board.
- Encourage your child to create a rough sketch of the license plate they wish to create on the blank paper. Encourage them to be creative. Do they want their license plate to look like the other ones they saw, or do they want to make one that's completely unique?
- Have your child implement their design on the cardboard rectangle. They can use the pre-cut letters, alphabet stickers, and/or pens to create a unique license plate number and motif. Remind your child that the numbers and letters should be visible to other cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.
- When your child has completed adding the numbers and letters, cover the license plate with clear contact paper. This will help protect it when your child is riding around outdoors.
- Punch holes in either side of the cardboard license plate and lace string through them.
- Your child's license plate is ready to go! Let your child decide if they want to display it on the front or back of their bike.
Once the license plate is firmly attached, take a ride around the neighborhood so that your child can show off their new creation!
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