Planning a Race Car Party in 5 Easy Steps

If your birthday honoree feels the need for speed and planning a race car party is on the docket, fuel your party planning inspiration with these 5 easy steps!

From start to finish, we’re covering ideas for conquering invitations, car themed decorations, a high energy refreshment station, exciting activities and even grand prix style party favors.  Your mind will be racing with ideas!

Planning a Race Car Party in 5 Easy Steps

Step #1:  Building excitement for a high performance event starts with a creative invitation.  Rev up enthusiasm by putting together race car themed invitations.  Ideas include attaching printed party details to a toy race car, adding hand-written celebration specs to a die cut car or using a graphic designed version printed from your home computer.

No matter the style chosen, add some clever wording and details to convey the theme.  Some sample phrases could be, “join us at Jack’s Birthday Race Track” or “get ready to rev your engines”.  Use fun race car themed verbiage such as rsvp to “the pit crew” or “race start time” is 3:00 p.m. sharp.

Step #2:  Plan high impact decorations inexpensively.  Having high impact decorations at your race car party doesn’t mean having to go to great expense.  Many of the best decorations might be found right in your own home or garage.

Cruise through your home and pull out any car themed toys or props you can use for play and decor—matchbox cars, motorized or push cars, model and remote control cars, car tracks and more.  A quick search of the garage may yield car parts like wheels and rims, or car care items like gas cans and motor oil.

Cleaned and made child-safe, these items make for especially authentic decorations.  Add in car lot style flags, some appropriate theme coordinating tableware, and balloons in your chosen color palette. Of course, if budget or time allow, adding racing car checkered flags, a start and finish line and things like road signs and stop lights can “wheelie” impress!

Step #3:  Plan for High Octane Fueling at the Refreshment Table.  Even high energy kids need a pit stop for refueling.  Planning for race car refreshments can be loads of fun.  How about a race track style concession stand with trackside treats and snacks?

Crowd pleasers like hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and pretzels will keep little motors running.  Themed desserts like car shaped cookies, pylon shaped cake pops or doughnut “wheels” would be pretty slick sweet table additions.

Of course, a cool helmet shaped or race car cake would be impressive too!  Having Kool-Aid “coolant” or some other beverage for keeping guests from overheating is always a must.

Step #4:  Keep the Party Rolling with a Variety of Activities.  Kids love games and activities.  A race car party lends itself to some pretty fun entertainment.  Guests can decorate license plates or box cars, or even color race car coloring pages.

Schedule in a few rounds of “Red Light, Green Light” or create an “Amazing Race” style game with pit stops and laps involving tasks that teams must complete.  Set up race tracks for guests to race cars.  Assemble model car kits for party goers to build and paint at “the body shop”.  The possibilities are endless!

Step #5:  Finish Strong with Winning Party Favors.  Let every guest finish their party experience on a high note by sending home some thrilling car themed favors, like toy cars, a pit crew t-shirt or car shaped treats.

With these winning ideas, you’re in position to gear up for your own high impact race car party full of energetic details!