We’ve tested some hints and tips that might just spark some fantastic learning opportunities:

Transport themes can be diverse, ranging from space rockets to sailing ships, from small world to large scale locations. The spark may be from the challenge of creating a machine to carry passengers – to designing a time machine.

Access to open-ended resources is key so that they can design, create, modify and test their vehicles. Create signs, zebra crossings and traffic lights in the environment. You may want to include a car showroom or consider a garage. Careful resourcing with attention to detail is needed, such as providing tools, clipboards, money, MOT certificates etc. A petrol pump can be made from a spray attachment and a piece of pipe. Create a car wash complete with sponges, buckets and water.

Transport Tips:

• Create your own Grand Prix challenge with cars made from recycled boxes. Have flags, banners, a winner’s rostrum and garlands etc.
• Simple wooden steering wheels inspire magical journeys in a car, rocket, train etc.
• Crates make fantastic vehicles. The children can tie them together to make a train with carriages, a tug boat or a trailer and tractor.
• Involve the children in creating safety rules e.g. wearing a cycle helmet, fastening safety belts, how to cross roads etc.
• Have tool belts and include a hole punch for collecting the tickets.
• Involve IT with pedometers, cameras, sat navs. etc. Make control panels with switches and buzzers.
• Existing cars, bikes and trikes can be transformed into other vehicles by attaching number plates etc.
• Rockets a a great mode of transport for travelling to the moon! This can be an ideal starter for talking about space, planets and the solar system. Why not have a team project to decorate a cardboard rocket. Use a space themed backdrop and black materials to create an immersive learning environment.