If you want a summer craft that can be used whenever it’s hot, this is just the thing for you! It can be adapted to add accessories for all kinds of fun play and can be taken apart and stored very easily. What is it? A PVC Pipe Kiddie Car Wash! It’s great for tricycles, Big Wheels, and Little Tyke toddler cars, too.
Here are the basic materials and instructions needed for your drive-through car wash. And remember that once you understand the concept, you can change or add parts for whatever configuration you want!
Supplies:
- (22) 3/4” x 30″ PVC pipes – middle pipes (yellow), bottoms and short uprights (green)
- (2) 3/4” x 61″ PVC pipes – tall uprights (red)
- (4) 3/4” x 37″ PVC pipes – overhead crossbars (blue)
- (1) ¾” x 6” PVC pipe – to connect to the hose adapter (orange)
- (9) 3/4” tees
- (11) 3/4” elbows
- (2) 3/4” crosses
- 3/41” PVC pipe-to-hose adapter
- 1 shower curtain and curtain rings
- 6 pool noodles cut to half the length
- colorful sponges and plastic shower scrubs
- nylon cord to hang accessories
Tools needed:
- 1/16” drill bit and drill
- water hose
- ratcheting PVC pipe cutter (if you’re cutting your PVC by hand)
There are a couple options for cutting the pipes. You may opt to do it by hand using the ratcheting PVC pipe cutter. PVC pipe is not hard to cut, but there are a lot of cuts so allow yourself some time. If this isn’t the option for you, you can ask the home supply store to cut the pieces for you.
Once you have the pieces cut, lay them out for each side to match the diagram. The bottom on one side will have two corners and two tees. The other side’s bottom will have one corner and three tees. Other than that, the sides are the same. Assemble bottoms, short and tall uprights, and middle pipes together so you have two complete sides to the car wash. Stand up both sides and connect the overhead crossbars so you essentially have a tunnel to walk through.
Once you have set up the pipe, you have to drill holes where you want the water to shoot out. You can put holes wherever you like, but we suggest drilling the middle pipes and 3 of the 4 overhead crossbars. You can always drill more holes if you wish to add more water flow. Drill holes approximately one inch apart using the 1/16” drill bit. This size hole will control the water flow so it is not gushing out.
Accessorize by hanging sponges and pool noodles from the top crossbars using nylon cord to mimic the scrubbers at the car wash. Simulate the “dryer” at the end with a shower curtain hung on the bar you didn’t drill holes into. Cut the shower curtain at the bottom to a length of no more than 54”. Then cut narrow strips up from the bottom leaving about 2-3 inches at the top. Do not cut all the way through. Use the plastic shower curtain rings that click to lock (the inexpensive ones) so it stays in place.
Set up in your yard or driveway with clear space on both ends to enter and exit the car wash. Using a ¾” PVC pipe to hose adapter, attach a standard water hose to 6” pipe on the front corner. Turn on the water, and wait for the smiles!
