My family and I saw Cars 3 last weekend and loved it! Disney brought back the dazzle and charm from the first Cars movie and also introduced us to some awesome new characters including the Hispanic female lead, Cruz. Girl power all the way! This new version inspired me to share some of my fun and easy Cars-themed ideas for your young racing fan’s next party or playdate.
Pool Noodle Car Races
I love this simple idea to create an instant racing game. You need to buy an extra large pool noodle with a wide opening. Cut the pool noodle in half to reveal two race tracks. Toothpicks can seal the two foam pieces together and then secure with tape. I found some perfect checkered flag duct tape at Michaels. Lean your track on a wall or create a ramp with some benches or pool chairs. Then, let the kids race away! You can use the Cars 3 collectible vehicles, but any Matchbox car will do.
Checkered Flag Tape Decor
Now go ahead and grab that extra checkered flag tape for some simple party decor. The tape can be wrapped around water bottles, utensils, or bubble containers. I even used it to decorate the bottom of our drink dispensers (see below). You can place a stripe of tape down the front of colored paper bags and use them to distribute lunch or goodies.
Traffic Light Fruit Bowls and Kabobs
It’s such a win-win when a snack is adorable AND healthy! This “Traffic Light Fruit” is perfect for a Cars-themed get together. Fill three white bowls with red fruit (strawberry or watermelon), yellow fruit (pineapple or banana), and green fruit (kiwi or grapes). When the bowls are stacked on the table you will create a traffic light! There is also the option to create “Traffic Light Fruit” kabobs. Stack the red, yellow, and green fruit on a wooden skewer and display on a platter.
Doughnut Tire Cake
This idea was sparked when my son had his first Cars-themed party and told us he didn’t like cake. We decided to create a “tire cake” out of doughnuts and it was a big hit! I suggest you pre-order a couple dozen chocolate cake doughnuts because they most resemble tires. Simply stack the doughnuts on a large tray, and you’re all set. For extra fun, you can exchange the tray for an oil drip pan from any automotive store. You can also add mini car rims inside some of the doughnuts. I found mine from the Ridemakerz brand sold at Walmart or Amazon.
Drink Pit Stop
Create a drink pit stop or “fill up” station with two large drink dispensers and simple labels. Fill one dispenser with red Gatorade and label it “Lightening Punch” and the other with yellow lemonade to create “Cruz Quencher.” If you are feeling really creative, you can exchange the dispensers for plastic gas cans with a pour spout.
Tire Pool Floats
I found these fun tire floats at the Dollar Tree. Grab a bunch to blow up and throw in your pool for an instant Cars party. They are a super inexpensive way to decorate. Make giant tire stacks at your party entrance or hang them around the room. You can also lay them across your lawn and use them as beanbag-toss targets.
Bike License Plates
A fun Cars craft is to have your kids make a cool license plate for their bike. Any craft store sells simple rectangle foam cards. Then you need some alphabet letters, stickers to decorate, and pipe cleaners to secure the plate to the bike. Your kids can use the letters to spell out their name or favorite Cars character.
South Beach Park Track Races
If you have really little ones, why not pack up the bikes, trikes, scooters, or big wheels and head to South Beach Park in Jacksonville Beach. You can take over the track and have a Cars-style race complete with mini trophies for the winners. Follow it up with a picnic lunch under the shady pavilion. You can cut sandwiches into car shapes with a cookie cutter, and don’t forget your “Traffic Light” fruit!
Dune Buggy Races
One of the best places in Jacksonville to race with your kids is the Baja Buggy Adventure Park on the Northside near the airport. Their motto is “the place kids drive” so this is a perfect spot for a Cars-themed party. No experience is necessary, even for the little ones. Your bigger kids can race by themselves around the dune buggy track just like their Cars friends did in Cars 3. It’s some serious muddy fun. Check out my son’s buggy party here.
Junior Carting at Autobahn
For the kid who wants to feel like a real race car driver, you need to check out the Autobahn Indoor Speedway on the Southside near Phillips Highway. This high-speed go-karting location is loads of fun for both parents and older children. There is a junior carting option which is perfect for ages 8 and up. They will experience the thrill of racing in a safe environment.
For more details and over 25 additional ideas, you can visit my Disney Cars Party Pinterest board. Ka-Chow!
About the Author
Pam Kaye is a work-from-home mom with two awesome kids, Daniel and Annabel. She moved to Jacksonville in 2007 when her husband, Mark Kaye, became the morning show host on radio station 95.1 WAPE. Having children inspired Pam to start her blog, PopMommy.com, where she writes about her family and everything “pop culture.” Before mommyhood, Pam worked as a publicist for the movie and radio industries. Follow her on Instagram (@popmommy) to learn all about her tweens, her travels, and her obsession with Taylor Swift. Pam loves checking out new Jacksonville restaurants, cheering on the Jags, and meeting amazing children through her family charity, Kaye’s Kids (www.kayeskids.org).
