I remember my first Indianapolis 500 like it was yesterday…
Well, it wasn’t yesterday. It was 1994, and I was 8-years-old. I went with my dad, my grandfather (aka Dzia Dzia in Polish), and my uncle. To this date, I’ve now attended the Indy 500 26 times and I’m 37-years-old.
This past May, my wife and I took our 7-year-old son to his first Indianapolis 500 and he loved every second of it.
And yes, he’s wearing my Indianapolis Motor Speedway hat I wore back in 1994.
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely take kids to a car race. With preparation, the right gear, and the right attitude, your kids and the whole family can have a fun day out at the track.
Taking kids anywhere in public has it challenges, but try introducing your young child to 300,000 people, traffic jams, loud cars, hot sun, and a lot of walking. He loves racing, but there’s a difference between watching a Race on TV from the comfort of your living room vs. making the trek out to the track and spending all day there. And that’s something certainly to consider when you’re thinking about taking your Kid to the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, or any other IndyCar race or NASCAR race.
Prepare Them For What To Expect
We live in Indianapolis, so the month of May in our home is just like December preparing for Christmas morning. We decorate our home with checkered flag décor, and most Sundays we have a race on our TV screen. We even make our way out to the track for practice or qualifications, so they have seen the track only when it’s not as full.
Think of taking your kids to a race like taking them to the park…but for a much longer amount of time. It’s a long day away from the comfort of home (you’re outside) and their toys (you’re in grandstands) and the pantry full of their snacks and drinks (pack a cooler or hit the concession stands). You have to think about each of these elements and explain to them what it’s going to be like. We all like some kind of heads up when we’re experiencing something new, and kids are no different.
Here’s how to set them and you up for success…
Get The Right Seats
Some big races like Indy and Daytona can draw hundreds of thousands of fans in attendance. This isn’t like catching a game with your local minor league baseball team. You need to get racing tickets in advance and make sure your seats are in a spot your kids will enjoy. Maybe sitting too close to the track makes you uneasy, so you’ll want to sit higher up. Maybe you’d rather sit on the straightaway than in a turn. Or maybe you want to see pit lane so you can catch the action of pit stops. Think before you buy your tickets.
It’s A Long Day So Plan Ahead
If you’re going to a large race like the Indy 500 or Daytona 500, often times you have to leave your home or hotel early to beat traffic. Make sure you get to bed early the night before and they’re well rested. In the morning, make sure you know what gate your tickets say to walk into so you can park as close as possible.
Once inside, you may arrive before the race starts. I know my son asked “when will the race start” a handful of times after we arrived. Think of some things to do after you arrive. This year for the Indy 500, we specifically parked somewhere near a grass field. We brought a soccer ball for us to kick around to kill some time before walking to the gate. Often times there are midways and kid zones inside the track for families to check out. Look at your venue’s website for more information on specifics for each race.
Dress For Success
You will be outside all day long, so check the forecast and make sure you wear the right clothes. Comfortable shoes are key, and I wouldn’t recommend sandals for your kiddos. For the Indy 500 this year, it was cool in the morning then warmed up by the start of the race. So we had hoodies on when we parked and played outside, then left them in the car when we walked to the track. Don’t forget sunglasses too if it’s going to be sunny.
Understand Racing 101
My boys watch racing, play with toy IndyCars, have racing books…they get racing. If your child doesn’t understand racing it may make for a long day of “cars turning left” for them. Tell them how many laps the race is so they can follow along. Give them a spotters guide so they can identify the cars. Talk about picking a favorite driver or team to cheer for. Make sure they understand yellow flags, pit stops, etc. so they at least have an understanding of what’s happening. Questions will come up, but if you prepare them this way it fills some of the gaps they having walking into a race in person.
Pack Your Patience
It’s crowded, it’s hot, it’s loud, and you’re kids are with you. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Expect for this. As parents, we all know anything can happen and plans can often fall apart. Do your best to be patient with your kids and understand it’s overwhelming for them too. Hey, maybe you need to bail because it’s just too much for either you or them. That’s okay. Think about when to pull the rip cord and give up on the race or think of things to maybe change things up to keep your kids going. Taking a walk under the grandstands is a change of scenery that can help too.
What Should I Bring To The Race Track With My Kids?
You’re not packing for a week long beach vacation, although the night before the race it may feel like it. My biggest tip is to pack lean and light, but keep your kids in mind first. We’re adults. We can adapt a lot easier than our young kids. So if you pack for them and think what will make them happy and comfortable then you’re on your way to winner’s circle.
If you’re ready to start your engines and take your kids to the race track, here is my list of must-haves and some options to consider:
Cooler (Backpack vs. Rolling)
Most race tracks allow you to bring a cooler with you inside. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a cooler size rule (18”x14”x14” in size) and so does Daytona International Speedway (must be soft-sided and no bigger than 14”x14”x14” in size). Check the track website you’re attending for their specific rules.
It really is up to you when it comes to using a backpack cooler or a rolling cooler. Both work fine, but would you rather carry one around on your back or pull it along with you? Just remember, it’s always heaviest at the start of the day, and the lightest at the end of the day.
My Race Track Cooler Recommendations
Earth Pak Insulated Backpack Cooler
Tessco Rolling Insulated Cooler
Reusable Ice Packs For Your Cooler
Travel Kids Water Bottle
Hydration is key when outside for kids, especially if it is hot out. You’ll want to make sure you cooler is packed with plenty of water for you and the kiddos. We typically bring some Gatorades and travel water bottles. Make sure they’re not so big that they won’t all comfortably fit in your cooler. Remember you’ll have other snacks and food probably in there too.
My Race Track Kids Water Bottle Recommendations
YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle
OLDLEY Kids Water Bottle
Kids Ear Protection
Racing engines can get up to 130-140 Decibels loud, so it’s important to protect your kids ears out at the track. Most kids won’t like having ear plugs jammed into their ears, so what we’ve done is gone with noise canceling headphones.
My youngest son wears a pair of these, but my oldest son who is more into racing has noise canceling radio headphones so he can listen to the race on the radio while protecting him from the sound of the cars.
My Race Track Ear Protection for Kids Recommendations
Snug Kids Ear Protection Headphones
Nabevi Headphones for Kids
Koss QZ-99 Noise Reduction Stereophone
Sun Protection
Being outside all day means dealing with potentially hot temperatures and a lot of sun exposure for your kids. Skin protection is critical for all of us, and skin cancer can still happen even in kids. Best to protect the kids at the track with these items.
My Race Track Sun Protection for Kids Recommendations
Columbia Boys’ Terminal Tackle Long Sleeve Tee
Kids SPF 100 Sunscreen
Racing Kids Bucket Hat
Other Things to Consider
Kids get bored easily. We knew traffic was going to be bad driving to the Indy 500 so we brought our son’s Amazon Fire Tablet so he could watch videos and play games while we sat in traffic.
If your kids are younger, maybe consider some small games or coloring books to keep them occupied at the track. Whatever you think will keep them from complaining is worth finding room to pack for the race. Trust me on that one!
My Recommendations for Other Items to Consider Taking to The Race Track
Amazon Fire Kids Tablet
Racing Coloring Book
Kids Card Games Set of 6
Enjoy The Race With Your Kids!
My son loved his first Indy 500. He’s already counting down to the next race he can attend. If your kids loves racing, but you’re worried about making their first attended race a success, I hope this guide helped you realize taking them to the track is possible — and it rocks!
The post How to Prepare Taking Your Kids to a Car Race appeared first on Dad Really Wants.
