Pinewood Derby

Friday night was our local homeschool group's annual Pinewood Derby race. We have been so busy that we didn't find out about it until Sunday afternoon before the race. Thankfully, B. and K. had an extra car. Since we only had one car, we told the kids they had to share it. We asked them to think of how they thought we should shape and paint it. Of course, each one had a different idea. The trick is to come up with a design that can be made from a small chunk of wood. Lacy profiled the design on the side of the wood and cut it out with a vertical mill. Thursday evening, each of the kids took their turn sanding the rough edges. Once everyone had their turn, Lacy put on the final touches to prepare it for paint. The girls decided they wanted their half to be purple with pink polka dots. Ethan wanted his blue.

Ethan painting along the half-mark line.

Sooo, we let the girls paint their half first and after that dried, Lacy and I put tape across it and Ethan finished his half off. The tape allowed Ethan to paint along the line without getting on the girls' half.

Alana putting the polka dots on.

Brianna concentrating very hard.

The result: a definite half-boy/half-girl pinewood derby car.

Half girl.

Half boy.

Once at the race, each one took their turn putting the car on the starting line. Each car entered in the race ran four heats. A total of 40 cars were entered. Our car got 2nd place in three of those heats and 1st place in the last heat. They received a participation plaque made by their very own Uncle Ryan. The kids are at the age where they don't really notice if they won or not, they just enjoyed making their car and watching it race down the track.

Ethan and K. at the track.

Brianna preparing for the race.

Alana and Justin enjoying some snacks.


The Brownmobile pit crew waiting at the finish line.