The month of May in Indy—the flowers are blooming and the sound of race cars fill the air. My family is crazy about the Indianapolis 500 and we’re always looking for race car activities. Whether it’s the month of May or not, these awesome activities are full of race car fun!
Race Car Fun for Children in Indianapolis
Our kids are too young to partake in many of the Indy 500 rituals, so we make every effort to instill a love of all things racing. And, we’re lucky that Indianapolis is home to many racing-inspired places to play. Check out these ideas for race car fun.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
One of our favorite stops for a racing experience is The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Here you’ll find the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pedal Car Racetrack Experience and Church Brothers Collision Repair Drag Strip right inside the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. Stop by the replica of the Pagoda to learn racing and Indianapolis Motor Speedway history, and then get ready to race. That’s right, you can race family members on pedal cars and take your photo in the winner’s circle.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
4750 W 16th St, Indianapolis
Closed until 2025 for renovations. Check back here for updates.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is located inside the famous Indy 500 oval and features more than 25 winning cars, including the first winning car from 1911, the Marmon Wasp. The museum also houses the famous Borg-Warner trophy, featuring sculpted likenesses of each winner of the Indianapolis 500. Don’t forget to take a ride on the oval and get your picture in a race car or kiss the bricks!
Indianapolis Soap Box Derby May Rally
Wilber Shaw Soap Box Derby Hill, 2200 W 30th St, Indianapolis
Indianapolis is home to the largest soap box derby track in the United States. Wilbur Shaw on 30th Street is a hot spot for local kids to race their soap box derby cars. During the month of May, you can attend a rally (race) as a spectator. The cars release from the top of the hill and travel to the bottom in a quiet ride.
Indianapolis Soap Box Derby races take place from April – September.
Indy RC Raceway & Hobbies
5135 S Emerson Ave K, Indianapolis
Indy RC Raceway offers indoor RC Car racing inside their 7000 square foot, air-conditioned facility. Take your favorite 1/18, 1/12, and 1/10 scale cars and trucks to race Oval, On Road, or Off-Road. If you don’t have an RC Car, their hobby shop is available to help you select the perfect model.
Trak 36
6570 E. US Highway 36, Avon
This free public race track for battery-powered RC vehicles is a favorite in the community. Bring your own radio-controlled car and race around the dirt track or sit and watch others. This isn’t just limited to race car fun, RC monster trucks do well here too!
Charlie Brown’s Pancake & Steak House
1038 N Main St, Indianapolis
If race car paraphernalia and the collection of 40 years of race car fandom are your things + you’re hungry, you have to stop into Speedway’s own Charlie Brown’s Pancake & Steak House. The checkered flags mean you’re there! My friend Ashley recommends the checkered flag breakfast and the pit stop burrito.
Fastimes Indoor Karting
3455 Harper Rd, Indianapolis
Do you want to get behind the wheel and experience some race car fun for yourself? Head over to Fastimes Indoor Karting for go-kart action on a bi-level track. That’s right, two levels of racing! Adults race 9 hp karts and juniors (must be 4’5”) race 6 hp karts. Juniors must race with their adult.
Call before you head to an open track time, as they are sometimes booked for private events.
K1 Indoor Go Kart Racing
9998 E 121st St, Fishers
Another amazing venue for Go Kart racing in Indianapolis, K1 Indoor Go Kart Racing, is a race fan’s dream! Real racing décor and memorabilia fill the establishment, along with leather sofas and big-screen televisions. The track is professionally designed and all the karts are electric. Hold on to your hats, these karts go fast!
Speedway Indoor Karting
1067 N Main St Suite B, Speedway
Speedway Indoor Karting features two distinct tracks–a European-style track with a multi-level road course and an oval slick track. A favorite for any Indy fan and anyone looking for some really fast race car fun! They offer several types of karts, including a two-seater, driven by a staff member, so kids 4+ can take a ride in a kart.
Rascal’s Fun Zone
629 US-31, Whiteland
Mini-golf, bumper boats, bowling, and go-karts are all part of the excitement at Rascal’s Fun Zone. They offer so many different types of race car fun. There’s indoor and outdoor go-kart racing, including a two-seater option for both the indoor and outdoor track for dads and moms to take the little kids out. For kids 44”-55”, check out the rookie track with smaller go-karts.
Whiteland Raceway Park
654 N Front St, Whiteland
America’s oldest kart track, Whiteland Raceway Park, is rumored to be a breeding ground for future racers and is currently owned by former Indianapolis 500 driver, Sara Fisher O’Gara. Although this track is more well known for its competition, they have karts for rent for participants over 14 years old. This outdoor track is available for team building, birthday parties, and other private events.
Greatimes Family Fun Park
5341 Elmwood Ave, Indianapolis
Greatimes on the south side of Indianapolis has three tracks for go-karts and you’re sure to find some racecar fun there, even for the little ones. There’s a road course that has a long and twisting track with both single-rider go-karts and double go-karts. The Slick Track is a short track with wide lanes for passing and sliding. The Kiddie Track is a smaller track with slower go-karts.
Mead Village Park Playground
1501 Locust Drive, Columbus
This playground is themed around NASCAR driver and team owner, Tony Stewart. NASCAR fans will love this playground and love that it’s themed around the passion of Columbus resident, Tony Stewart and his NASCAR team. Kids can get behind the wheel of pretend cars and have their own race car fun right there on the playground.
Take them out to the ball game at Victory Field. Grab tickets to see the Indianapolis Indians now!
Don’t miss the Indianapolis 500 Festival Kids Day and Rookie Run on Monument Circle.
