Cardboard Tow Mater

We had a really busy weekend as usual. I throw my husband a golf tournament every year for his birthday party. This year I incorporated a fund raiser for his cousin that was recently paralyzed. Our turn out was amazing with 44 players. The tournament was yesterday, and I am always exhausted the next day from the preparation, play, and excitement.

 

Therefore, today I spent most of the morning on the couch watching Cars with my sons. A while back we made a cardboard McQueen. While watching the movie, we were inspired to make Tow Mater.

Here he is!!

 

 

I am going to attempt to explain how to make our version of cardboard Mater. He would be sooo cute for a birthday party or a drive in movie theme where each child brings their own car to watch an outdoor movie.

 

I started by cutting the two long flaps on top at an angle to form the windshield. Once I cut one side, I always use that piece of cardboard as a template to make the other side exactly the same.

 

I also cut off the "back" short flap and used it as my "roof" behind the windshield. Then I taped up the windshield and made a few more cuts as noted above.

 

Here is what yours should look like at this point. I always use this color of tape because I have found it is the easiest to paint over. Make sure you smooth the tape out as much as possible.

 

I made a few more cuts to make the "bed of the truck" and then we all began painting. I was brave and we did it over the kitchen tile. My husband gave me that "LOOK".

 

 

We used cut up sponges to paint it on so it would have a rough texture over the brown cardboard, and so it would be less messy for the kids to paint. My little one helped paint for at least 30 minutes. He giggled away as he sponged paint on.

 

 

The next step was to cut slits and insert some cardboard mirrors on Tow Mater. I also sponged a little blue paint on each side.

 

I added some eyes, another box on the front, some Tow Mater style teeth, his open hood, and some tin foil on the side mirrors.

 

I spray painted some plates brown and hot glued them on the sides. Oh yes, and I painted Tow Mater in white.

 

I hope I didn't miss any steps. My plan was for the pictures to give directions. I hope they are self explanatory.

 

I didn't put a hook on the back yet because I am sure the kids will tear it out in two seconds! For now, they are tickled pink with their very own life size cardboard Tow Mater!