Traffic Light Craft For Kids: How To Make With Torn Paper
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This torn paper traffic light craft is a frugal and creative activity that's educational and fun.
If you're looking for a simple and affordable craft to keep the kids entertained while workin on fine motor skills, this project is an easy pick. All you need are a few basic supplies (construction paper and glue) to create a colorful project that your kids will love. Not only will they enjoy getting creative with torn paper, but your students will also learn about traffic lights, transportation, and colors!
In this post, I'm sharing an easy-to-follow guide with step-by-step instructions plus ideas for using this craft in your lessons or at home. It’s a brilliant budget-friendly project so let's green light and go!
Oh, and make sure to get the 5 FREE traffic light templates to make this a print-and-go craft (and try different styles). Use for coloring fun and other projects, too!
Slow Down and Enjoy A Frugal Project for Kids
Are you familiar with the "Red Light, Green Light" game for kids? As a child, I loved that activity during gym class, recess, and neighborhood fun. When my boys were old enough, I was so excited to introduce it to them at home and as their soccer coach for team practices.
A brief overview of the game (in case you haven't had the chance to play): All participants stand along the starting line. The "judge" (that's what we called it) yells green light and everyone runs fast. Yellow light is to indicate when all should go slower. Red light is said for everyone to stop. If you keep moving, you're out. The first to cross the designated finish line wins.
Recently, I was reminded of this game during (of all things!) our homeschool time. We were in the middle of our morning time and different activities (like building structures with wood blocks and dominoes) was going on during our read aloud time. Things were getting loud and I needed to the boys to quiet down. I must have reverted back to my childhood (or soccer coach days) and burst out "Red light, stop!". And it actually worked! The boys froze like statues.
We started chatting about red light - yellow light- green light. My middle boy (who's now in high school) remembered this neat torn paper traffic light craft that we made when they were younger. I had to recreate it to share with you and your kids.
Supplies Needed for This Traffic Light Craft
I think this kids' craft is wonderful because you only need a few materials. It makes it easy to organize, set up, and use with groups or one-on-one. For this craft, make sure to have:
- Black construction paper
- White construction paper
- Red, yellow, and green construction paper (for the lights)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Pencil or marker
- Optional: FREE set of 5 traffic light templates
To make this project even sturdier, I suggest using cardstock or cardboard for the background.
I'm sharing free printable traffic light templates (learn how to get at the bottom of this post) that you can use to make this project print-and-go. This option is nice if you don't have a lot of time or working with a large group and don't want to draw a lot of traffic light outlines.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Your Torn Paper Traffic Light Craft
Prepare the Black Construction Paper.
Cut a large rectangle from the black construction paper to resemble a traffic light. Draw three evenly spaced circles in a vertical line. Carefully cut out the centers of these circles, leaving the outer edges intact. OR use our FREE printable traffic light templates!
Tear and Glue the Colored Paper.
Tear small pieces of red, yellow, and green construction paper. Glue the red torn paper inside the top circle, yellow in the middle, and green at the bottom. They should overlap the edges of each circle, just ensure they don’t move into the other circles.
Prepare the White Construction Paper and Assemble the Traffic Light.
Cut a white piece of construction paper slightly smaller than the black rectangle. Overlay the black paper and trace the three circles on the white paper, so they are in the same positions as the cut-out holes in the black paper. Apply glue to the edges of the black construction paper and carefully place it over the white paper, ensuring the torn paper colors show through the cut-out circles.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Torn Paper Traffic Light Craft
This craft is ideal for children ages 3 and up, as it helps develop fine motor skills through tearing paper, gluing, and assembling the traffic light. Younger kids can join in on the fun but may need assistance. Older students can do the project independently and add details
Yes! You can use any type of paper, especially for the lights. Tissue paper can give a cool textured look. Construction paper tends to work best as it’s easy to tear and comes in bright, vibrant colors that are perfect for a traffic light craft.
Besides fine motor skills, this craft also helps children work on hand-eye coordination, color recognition, creativity, and following simple instructions.
Creative Ideas for Making and Using This Torn Paper Craft
Want to add some special touches to your DIY traffic lights? Awesome! We had a blast tearing aluminum foil and adding trim to each light. This step gives the project a metallic look.
To make the craft more educational, teach your child about traffic safety and how traffic lights work as they create the craft. You could also discuss the colors of the traffic light and their meanings (red for stop, green for go, yellow for slow down) while working on the project. Also, write (or lightly write for your students to trace) the color words for the kids on or below each light.
Chat with your children about how you can display their work. Hang the traffic lights on a wall, cabinet, or bulletin board (perfect for a group project!).
More Ways to Have Frugal Fun with Kids
Keep the traffic light fun going! And enjoy some more budget-friendly crafts with these resources and ideas:
Red Light, Green LightTraffic Signs Coloring Book For Kids: olor And Learn About City Street Road Traffic Sign, Icon, Symbol, Transportation, Traffic Light, Vehicles - Fun Color Activity Book for ChildrenGarrett Morgan: Inventor of the Traffic Light and Gas Mask (Famous Inventors)Hygloss Products Visual Behavior Stickers - Incentive Stickers for Students & Kids - Fun Traffic Light Colors - Red, Yellow & Green - ½Mifoci 12 Pack Race Car Party Favor Gifts Supplies 10 oz Traffic Light Cups with Straws and Lids, Plastic Reusable Kids Traffic Theme Racing Car Birthday Party Supplies FavorPAPERZIP - Traffic Light Stickers (Red, Amber and Green) for Marking – 60 Stickers for Kids, Teachers, ParentsGizmos-N-Gadgets Traffic Light Toy for Kids Circuit Toy - Easy to Build STEM Kit for Kids Aged 3+. with Flashing Lights & Realistic Sounds, Perfect Educational Gift
- Torn Paper Rainbow Craft
- DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint (use to make a traffic light!)
- Kite Suncatcher Craft
- How to Make Heart-Shaped Toilet Paper Roll BinocularsHeart-Shaped Binoculars (made from toilet paper rolls!)
Get Your Free Printable Traffic Light Templates for This Craft
This traffic light craft is even easier when you use these free printable templates. This pack contains 5 pages with black-and-white traffic light outlines. These templates can be used for this project, coloring, or other creative activity.
Print as many of these traffic light templates as you need to use with your students at home, in the classroom, and at the library. Please share this post if you know others who like to do frugal crafts with kids!
To get this printable template pack, simply subscribe (for free) to Rock Your Homeschool.
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⭐ Get your set of 5 free printable traffic light templates! ⭐
