Craft your own wagon

What can I use instead of wooden skewers or plastic straws for the axles if I can't find them?

If you can't find skewers or straws for the axles, use straight wooden dowels, sturdy pencils trimmed to length, or thin metal rods pushed through the poked holes so equal lengths stick out on both sides.

My wagon wobbles or drags—what should I check and fix?

If the wagon wobbles or drags when you roll it on a flat floor, check that the axle holes are centered and straight, straighten or shorten skewers or dowels, add small cardboard washers between wheel and base, and secure wheels with a dab of glue or a tight wrap of tape as the instructions suggest.

How can I adapt this craft for younger or older children?

For younger children have an adult pre-cut the base and panels and use large plastic bottle-cap wheels and non-toxic glue for easy assembly, while older kids can measure and cut their own cardboard or wood, poke axle holes themselves, and experiment with wooden dowels and paint for decoration.

How can we extend or personalize the finished wagon to make it more fun?

To personalize and extend the project, add a handle by taping or screwing a craft stick to the front, glue on craft-stick rails for cargo, paint designs or stickers during the decorating step, or attach LED stickers and a small cardboard tailgate so the wagon can carry toys.