Activities for Kids

Buckle Up! 10 Hot Spots for Car-Crazed Kiddos

Push the pedal to the metal at these hot spots perfect for pint-sized car enthusiasts.

By Melissa Heckscher February 24, 2016

Does your kid go “Vroom, vroom” with anything even remotely resembling a car? Do you find yourself tripping over mountains of Matchbox cars or trying to make room in your home for yet another Hot Wheels track? Well, it’s time you hit the road and take your budding racecar driver someplace where the cars are bigger than boxes and where he can learn the history behind his favorite set of wheels. Inspire your little auto aficionados at one of these car-themed destinations.

LeMay – America’s Car Museum – Tacoma, Wa

On your marks, get set… explore! The LeMay has 150,000 square feet of exhibit space to roam, featuring a record-breaking collection of cars (more than 300 on display!), trucks, and motorcycles dating back to the 19th century. Besides marveling at the smorgasbord of vehicles, visitors can learn how cars work via a slew of interactive exhibits. Racing fans can see the engineering that goes into making NASCAR cars (and how race car drivers stay safe in 200 mph crashes); fans of the movie Cars can ramble down a mock Route 66 to see the sorts of big-finned rides featured in the film; and, drivers too small to try the big-kid simulators can rev their engines on a hand-built slot car track with an assortment of little cars ready to race.

Online: Americascarmuseum.org

photo: Helen Walker Green

Where do you take kids who like to go “Vroom!?” Share with us in a Comment below.

— Melissa Heckscher