About This Project

A 25–45 minutes craft for ages 3–7, using supplies you likely already have — Hole Punches, Pom Poms, and Scissors.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:
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  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
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    A cartoon of Hole Punches
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pom Poms
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Scissors
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Clothespins
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Markers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Construction Paper
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint Brushes
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Brads
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Newspapers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plaper Plates
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Glue Sticks
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Paper Plate Dump Truck Craft

    Your creative buddy says:
    "I can't wait to make a project with you!"

    Step 1: Cut your paper plate.

    Ask a grown-up to help you cut your paper plate into two main pieces. One piece will be the body of your dump truck, and the other will be the truck bed. Look at the picture to see how to cut it. Make sure the bottom side of the plate is facing up when you cut.

    Step 2: Paint your truck pieces.

    May need grown-up help
    First, put some newspaper on your table to keep it clean. Then, choose your favorite paint colors! Squeeze a little paint onto the newspaper. Use a clothespin to hold a pompom, and use it like a paintbrush to color your truck pieces. If you don't want to use paint, you can use crayons or markers instead. Let the paint dry before you go to the next step.

    Step 3: Cut out truck parts from the template.

    May need grown-up help
    Print the dump truck template. Ask a grown-up to help you cut out all the shapes from the template. You will need two wheels, two wheel centers, a window, and a truck grill.

    Step 4: Add details to your truck.

    Once your painted truck pieces are dry, use your glue stick to attach the wheels, window, and grill that you cut out. Then, use your markers to draw any other fun details you want on your dump truck!

    Step 5: Attach the bucket

    Ask a grown-up to help you use the hole punch to make a hole at the very back of your truck body and another hole on the truck bed piece. Line up the holes and push a metal brad through them. Open the brad's legs on the other side to keep the pieces together. Now your truck bucket can move up and down!

    Step 6: Play!

    Now that you know how to make this dump truck craft, use this simple construction vehicle toy to make up stories and create a play opportunity. We think that we need to make more construction toys to go with this dump truck craft. What should we make next?
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Pom Poms
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Clothespins
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all paint lids tightly.
    • A cartoon of Markers
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.
    • A cartoon of Construction Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Brads
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Newspapers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plaper Plates
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Glue Sticks
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Put cap on glue sticks tightly.
    • A cartoon of Hole Punches
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:

    If you used these optional supplies, make sure they're cleaned up, too!

    • A cartoon of Paint Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.
  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "What a fabulous project!"

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Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

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