Are you searching for the perfect Halloween accessory to complete your little one’s firefighter costume? Look no further! We are excited to share this super simple DIY fire truck wagon with you! This idea is not only perfect for Halloween but can also be used for other events like birthday parties or fun. It’s straightforward, customizable, and affordable, requiring only a few items to make. Plus, it’s sure to draw attention from the crowds. So, let’s get started! But before we do, here’s a teaser!
What You’ll Need for the Fire Truck Wagon
- Wagon or cart. For reference, Edgar used a gorilla cart. You can use any wagon or cart and adjust the dimensions as necessary.
- Corrugated plastic: 48″ x 96″ sheet. You can also use cardboard; however, corrugated plastic will make it more durable.
- Red spray paint
- Duct tape. You can also use painter’s tape to block the spray paint if you are worried about it sticking too much to the coroplast or (especially) if you use cardboard.
- Gorilla spray adhesive
- Zip ties
- Pencil or pen
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Fire engine logo printouts
Optional
- Fire truck wagon PDF file (Edgar’s dimensions)
- Red blinking lights. They come in a pack of three. You could use one light (instead of buying three) and still achieve that WOW factor!
- Seats. Edgar used two toddler booster seats. They were merely for comfort.
- Steering wheel (either a repurposed one from a toy or one made from cardboard).
How to Make the Fire Truck Wagon
Cut Out the Separate Pieces
To begin, if you use Edgar’s precise dimensions in the template provided, we recommend cutting your coroplast into two sections to simplify the process. Edgar carefully chose measurements in order to maximize the entire plastic sheet. Make one section 51.5 inches by 56 inches, so you only need to separate the mirrored sides with two lines and the middle rectangular shape, as depicted.
After separating the two mirrored sides and cutting out all other sections shown in the diagram, use scissors to cut out the “windows” in the front and side sections.
After cutting out all the windows, it’s necessary to do a test fitting to ensure that all the sections fit properly around your wagon. Use zip ties to secure them in place, which will also help establish where the zip tie holes need to be before spray painting.
Connect the Pieces
Edgar opted to tape only two pieces together: a side piece and a front piece. He did this to ensure that he could still quickly lower one side of the cart if needed. Although this is not required, it also ended up unnecessary for us, as we just lifted the kids out of the fire truck without manipulating the sides. If you don’t require this feature, we recommend connecting all the sections with duct tape on the inside. Doing this will help prevent gaps and separation on windy days.
Decorate
Edgar applied duct tape in linear patterns to prevent red spray paint from reaching certain areas of the fire truck and improve aesthetics. If any color does manage to get onto these “blocked off” sections, it can easily be removed with the help of goof off.
Once the paint is dry, reconnect all the sections back onto the card and secure them with zip ties in the previously created holes. Secure any loose areas inside the fire truck with duct tape, including the top area that holds the flashing lights. Then, use gray duct tape to outline the head and tail lights for a more realistic look, just like Edgar did.
To add some personality to your fire truck, you can print out logos from the internet onto plain white paper or find stickers or decals on Amazon. Edgar opted for Columbus-specific logos, which he found through a quick Google search. Pinterest is also a good source for free printables. All you need to do is place the logo in your chosen location and then secure it by spraying the gorilla adhesive.
Next, Edgar added three emergency flashing lights to the front of the fire truck. While this is optional, it sure does add to the dramatic effect. You could also use just one light, which would still look impressive!
Steering Wheel (Optional)
Edgar repurposed an old toy the kids had stopped playing with as the steering wheel. However, Edgar has a separate video with detailed instructions if you prefer to create your own steering wheel using cardboard. Furthermore, the steering wheel segment in the video runs from minutes 1 to 3.
Edgar attached a ladder made from leftover coroplast to the cart handle, which is optional but adds to the dramatic effect. If you are also curious about the music in the Tik Tok video, he simply placed a bluetooth speaker into the wagon and played fire truck music using his phone. Meli and Xander loved it!
Voilà! Your fire truck wagon is complete and ready for your little firefighter to enjoy for Halloween! Meli and Xander got the BIGGEST kick riding around in their firetruck on Halloween and “Boo at the Zoo.” Meli felt like she was in a parade and waved at everyone as she passed them. They were getting a lot of awe-struck stares from kids AND parents. Seeing how much joy this easy project brought our young firefighters was heartwarming.
Additionally, you can watch Edgar’s DIY video for a clear and detailed guide, which provides visual step-by-step instructions for making this fire truck wagon.
Final Thoughts on the Fire Truck Wagon
As can be seen in the video, this fire truck wagon is an easy project and provides hours of joy to your little one. We hope you enjoyed this idea and found these instructions helpful. You and your little one will get quite a few looks (positive ones), photo snaps, and questions on how you created this while out in public. So, just be ready for the attention!
Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with the fire truck wagon in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback and see your firefighters in action! What DIY Halloween projects would you like to see next? Edgar thrives on your input! Would you like more Halloween or DIY toy ideas? Please look at our Halloween crafts and DIY Toys for more inspiration!
