This was a project that sounded daunting, and so I put it off for a while. But it turned out to be very easy and very cute. My hesitation stemmed from the fact that I needed to purchase magnet sheets and duct tape sheets (note: not a roll of duct tape), which I couldn’t find at my local craft store. Both are readily available on Amazon, so armed with these supplies, we were off and running… er, driving!

To make duct tape vehicles, peel the sticky side off the duct tape sheet and line up evenly with the sticky side of the magnet sheet. Cut out rectangles to be your cars, buses, and trucks.

Travis loved the idea of drawing our vehicles. We used permanent marker, and he scribbled away with imaginative designs.

Meanwhile I added a few vehicles that he could readily recognize, including a city bus…

…and a propeller plane (Travis’s current obsession). Garbage trucks and cars rounded out our city neighborhood.

To make your cityscape, tape down two pieces of paper to the back of a baking sheet. Adults and older kids can map out streets and buildings.

Travis was thrilled to help decorate, and was very focused on drawing a crossing guard. I was so proud when I saw him draw in a nose and smile, his most true-to-life people yet!

Once your city is drawn, add your magnet vehicles and zoom them along however you like!

This playset is one your kids can return to over and over again.