Our transportation playdough mats are a great tool to use as the kids learn all about things that go. These playdough mats will touch on a variety of early learning skills for a preschool transportation unit!
One of the best things about the free printable transportation playdough mats is that they’re so easy to set up. So easy, that you can have them ready for your students in just a few minutes.
Another bonus? The mats can be used in a variety of ways, each of which will integrate math, literacy, and fine motor skills. So many learning opportunities with one little printable!
Related: Free Preschool Printables
So, the vehicle playdough mats are easy to set up. They’re versatile. And they’re full of fun and learning? Sounds like a win-win . . . win to me!
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to get your own copy of the transportation mats.
Transportation Playdough Mats
Young children always seem to be very interested in things that go. They often grow up playing with toy cars, trains, and planes. Because of that, it’s really no surprise that most preschoolers are already quite familiar with and fond of the topic of transportation.
Play into the kids’ interest in vehicles and their love of playdough with the transportation mats.
How to Prep the Printable Transportation Mats
Preparing the printable mats for the kids to use is really a breeze. The first thing you’ll need to do is gather all of the necessary materials. Here are some ideas (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Printer
- Dry-erase pockets
- Laminator
- Playdough
- Small manipulatives (like glass gems or Unifix cubes)
These are just a few items that I tend to gravitate to when it comes to playdough mats. But take a look around your supply closet and use whatever sticks out! You might be surprised with what you can come up with on the fly!
Once you’ve gathered all of the materials, it’s time to prep the transportation playdough mats. It’s a really simple setup:
- First, scroll to the bottom of this post and request your own copy of the free printable mats.
- Next, save the file to your computer.
- Then, print the mats you’d like to use.
- Finally, laminate the pages or place them in dry erase pockets for durability.
And that’s it! The transportation mats are ready to use with your students.
How to Use the Transportation Play Dough Mats
The most common use for the playdough mats is by pairing them with . . . well, play dough of course! Here’s how to use the mats based on their namesake:
- First, place the mats on the table.
- Then, set out some play dough next to the mats.
- Finally, let the kids play!
Now, all you’ve got to do is sit back and let the kids go for it! Some will naturally follow the guidelines given within the pages by placing playdough in the shape of the vehicles. Others will try building 3D models of the vehicles.
Playdough has always been one of my preschool students’ favorite materials to work with. So, I’m sure this activity will be a hit in any preschool classroom!
More Ways to Use the Transportation Playdough Mats
We’ve touched on how to use the transportation mats with playdough. But there are so many other ways to use them as well! Here are some ideas:
- Pair small manipulatives, like glass gems or Unifix cubes, with the transportation mats. Then, have the children trace the illustrations with the manipulatives.
- Write a number on each mat with a dry erase marker. Then have students use counting chips to fill the vehicles up with the correct amount of “passengers” on each vehicle.
- Set out dry-erase markers so students can trace the transportation mats.
- Allow students to dip toy vehicles in paint and drive them across paper for a unique process art activity!
- Print and cut out a plethora of vehicle illustrations and real photos. Students can sort the vehicles by placing them on the corresponding mats.
- Use playdough to create a track around the mats. Then let the kids get out some toy vehicles, match them to the correct mat, and drive them on the tracks!
The kids might even come up with an entirely new way to use the transportation mats. The possibilities are endless, and I’m always impressed with just how creative preschool children can be!
There are really so many different ways to use the mats in the classroom, even if they’re just used for inspiration!
What Comes in the Transportation Printable
The free printable transportation playdough mats come with 11 pages for the kids to use. Here are the modes of transportation available:
- Hot air balloon
- Helicopter
- Airplane
- Sailboat
- Canoe
- Submarine
- Care
- Bike
- Bus
- Train
- Truck
As you can see, the mats include transportation by air, water, and land. That way you have a variety to choose from!
Don’t forget to grab your own set of the play dough mats at the bottom of this post.
More Transportation Activities for Kids
The transportation playdough mats are a great foundation for a preschool transportation theme! But, if you’re doing an entire unit on things-that-go, you’ll want a few more activities in your back pocket. Here are a few ideas:
- Transportation Math Activities for Preschoolers
- Letter Roads
- Number Train Printable
- Transportation Sensory Bin
- Bus Calendar Numbers
Transportation Lesson Plans
Creating meaningful and fun and all-encompassing preschool lesson plans can take up so much of your teaching day. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in! We have a wide variety of lesson plans, printable resources, and teaching guides for teachers like you.
The vehicle playdough mats are a great start for a transportation theme. If your class enjoyed this free printable, check out Preschool Teacher 101’s Transportation lesson plans! Click on the image below for more information about this product.
Our lesson plans have everything you need for an entire transportation-themed unit. They come equipped with book recommendations, activity ideas and descriptions for all of the major preschool subjects, centers descriptions, all related printables, and more!
Here are a few other transportation-themed products that are available on Preschool Teacher 101:
If you think these products will make your teaching life much easier and free up lots of time, you’re right! For regular access to our products, be sure to sign up for a Preschool Teacher 101 membership!
Get the Transportation Playdough Mats
This free printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download link will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Then you’ll receive the printable as a welcome gift!
Be sure to check out my printing FAQ page if you run into any issues.
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