DIY Kiddie Car Wash

This fun, do-it-yourself kiddie car wash keeps kids and their ride-on toys cool and clean. Add a spray hose, mild dish detergent and a bubble gun for hours of outdoor playtime. Total cost of materials purchased at local home improvement and bargain stores is about 50 dollars. Bonus: The car wash can easily be broken down and stored until next season.

Supplies

Nine 10-foot segments of ¾” PVC pipe (Pro tip: Buying 10 may save a few dollars.)

14 PVC tee connectors (¾”)

2 PVC cross connectors (¾”)

4 PVC 90-degree corner elbows (¾”) with corresponding adapters

Large, colorful sponges

6 pool noodles

Brightly colored duct tape

Zip ties

Foam core, vinyl or plastic tablecloth for banner 

Waterproof markers or craft paint

Optional: Colorful pinwheels and plastic grass skirts 

Bubble toys 

Buckets 

Dishwashing wands with sponge puffs

Directions

1. Cut PVC using a pipe cutter or small-toothed saw, as follows:

• Eighteen 36-inch lengths
• One 48-inch length
• Six 12-inch lengths
• Two 4-inch lengths
• One 34-inch length
• Two 28-inch lengths
• Four 26-inch lengths

1. Print and follow our “blueprint” below for assembly. 
2. Attach sponges and pool noodles to the cross bars using long strands of duct tape (safer than zip ties). Create water-resistant long strands by placing duct tape back-to-back. Thread zip ties through sponges and loop the duct tape through the zip tie. (See photos for reference.)
3. Make a banner (using vinyl or a plastic tablecloth makes the sign reusable and waterproof).
4. Attach banner with zip ties to a pool noodle. 
5. Optional: Decorate car wash structure with pinwheels zip-tied to PVC pipes. 
6. Grab buckets, bubble toys and dishwashing wands and have some good, clean fun!

If it’s windy, weight the car wash with sandbags for safety, or use tent spikes or turf spikes to anchor piping to a grassy area.

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Emily Dolton is a local artist and mom of two boys.

Print assembly blueprint here:

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