Fun Activity Friday: A review of the Petaluma Speedway Fieldtrip

A few weeks ago, when we were learning about cars, specifically race cars, we took our son to the Petaluma Speedway to see a real dirt track oval and experience a race.  Given how much he loves the Pixar movie, "Cars", we figured it would be a big hit AND it fit well with the theme.

One lesson that really hit home was that race cars are extremely LOUD.  We were fortunate that we bought some ear plugs on the way there because the initial reaction to the noise was rather tearful.  No amount of preparation for the noise level really prepared him for the roar of the engines.  The earplugs worked great though.  While at the racetrack, we also learned what the different color flags mean to the drivers, and that cars that look similar in style race together.  We also touched a piece of the track that had sprayed up.  I was a little disappointed that the pits were not visible from the stands, because that would've been a great way to see how the cars get gassed and how their tires are changed with tools.

What I really enjoyed watching was how the experience was played out in the car on the way home (before he fell asleep that is).   While we are not going to be regulars at the track (I'm not really into watching cars go around in circles), this was a fairly inexpensive family activity that also promoted and solidified his learning.  I wish I had done a little more research ahead of time so that I could have shared even more of what was going on, but at the age of three, I think the lessons he did learn were developmentally appropriate, and he might have been lost with more detail.