Build a Toy Monster Truck Arena

Learn how to build a toy monster truck arena from some wood scraps and pink insulation foam. This is an easy DIY project inspired by the Monster Jam’s monster truck arena.

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing how to build a toy monster truck arena! Earlier this year my son and I attended our first Monster Jam. That trip inspired this project.

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Tools and Supplies

The following items some of the tools and supplies I gathered to build the toy monster truck arena.

Tools:

• Miter saw (or circular saw or hand saw)
• Table saw
• Orbital sander
• Foam hot knife cutter
• Kreg Jig Pocket Hole Jig

Supplies:

• Pink insulation foam
• Brown spray paint
• Blue spray paint
• Spray adhesive
• 1″ caster wheels (4) and hardware to install them
• White acrylic paint
• Dollar Tree Cars (2 packs)
• 1/4″ plywood (2′ x 4′)
• 1×4 pine boards (8′ – 2x)
• 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws

Watch the How To Build Video

Watch the how to make video below or continue reading for the written tutorial.

How to build a toy monster truck arena

I built the toy monster truck area with some scrap wood for the frame. The “mud” is pink insulation foam. I sized the arena so it could fit underneath my son’s train table. Continue reading for more build details!

Step 1: Cut the boards to size and drill pocket holes

Cut the 1×4 boards and 1/4″ plywood to size:

• 30″ (2)
• 20″ (6)
• 19 7/8″ x 29 7/8″

Drill pocket holes.

Step 2: Assemble frame with pocket hole screws

Build a rectangular frame and attach boards to the bottom for supporting the insulation foam.

Step 3: Cut foam

Cutting the insulation foam was the most fun step of the whole project. I used a box cutter to cut straight lines out of the foam and a hot foam cutter to cut out curvy shapes. If you use the hot foam cutter, make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator.

• First you need to create a base layer for the arena. Cut a piece of foam to the size of the 1/4″ plywood.
• Next, cut out corner pieces of foam to the borders of the arena
• Finally, cut out a piece of foam for the center dirt mound in the arena.

Customize this step to match your desired appearance for the arena. I modeled the arena to match what it looked like at the Monster Jam event.

Step 4: Glue foam to plywood

Glue the base pink insulation foam to the 1/4″ plywood.  Glue the arena corners and dirt mounds / obstacles on top of the base layer with some spray adhesive. You could probably use hot glue instead. You want the bond to be strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of a young child.

Step 5: Paint arena and seal

Spray paint the pink foam brown. Spray paint the frame of the arena another color. I also spray painted some cheap Dollar Tree cars the same color as the arena.

I painted arena border line with white acrylic paint to somewhat match the appearance of the Monster Jam arena.

Seal the paint with a few layers of a clear coat.  I recommend spraying 2 layers of gloss (for high protection) followed by a layer of satin or matte to tone down the shininess.

Step 6: Install caster wheels

Install 1″ caster wheels on each corner of the arena frame.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Insert the foam inside of the arena frame and enjoy!

DIY Monster Truck Arena

My son loves the monster truck arena! It has seen many hours of play. If you build one, please share a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter!

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