How to Make a Backyard Race Track for Kids

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 2, 2021

If your children enjoy playing with toy cars, you can create a backyard race track for them to race around on. For the more ambitious DIYers, you can lay a concrete track that your kids will be able to play on for years. If you want to create something a little less permanent, you can also create a track by laying some paving bricks to create a route. In addition, you can cut a pool noodle in half for some gravity assisted car-racing fun.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Laying a Concrete Race Track

1
Determine the width of the track. Before you map anything, determine how many lanes your track will have. Will it have two like an ordinary street or will it have four lanes like some toy racing sets? To get the right dimensions, measure the width of one of your child's toy cars. Each lane on the track should be wide enough to accommodate one car. Then multiply the width of the car by the number of tracks you want. This should give you a rough estimate of how wide the track should be.
- For example, if your child's toy cars are one inch (2.54 cm) wide, your track will need to be more than four inches (10.16 cm) wide. This will ensure a little space between each car so that they are not packed tightly together.
2
Mark your track. With some string or rope, map out the path of the track. Lay out the string, looking to create good bends and curves for your child's toy cars. If you want to lay out the track in detail, consider planting two rows of stakes and tying the rope around them to create the outline of the track.
- You should also use the string to measure the length of your track. This will help you determine how much Bricktor you need.
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3
Dig a trench. Once you have your track mapped out, you will want to excavate it. With a shovel, dig a trench that is the desired width and about four inches (100 mm) deep. If you are digging in an area of your backyard where there is sod, you might consider chopping out the grass and replanting it elsewhere.
- Avoid digging into the roots of any nearby trees or bushes. Exposing their roots may kill the plant. In addition, the roots may eventually warp your track.
4
Line the trench with Bricktor. Unspool the Bricktor and line the bottom of the trench. The Bricktor provides additional support and prevents the concrete from cracking. This will be particularly important if you live in a place that experiences significant seasonal temperature swings.
- Be sure to use your measurements of the track to purchase enough Bricktor to cover the length of your track. Most rolls of Bricktor have measurements that will help your know how much area they cover.
5
Mix your cement. In a large wheelbarrow, combine ¾ of the concrete and ¾ of the sand. Then add a small amount of water and mix with your shovel. This mixture should be soupy. Then add the remaining ¼ of the sand and concrete and continue to mix. Stir until the mixture is wet and thick but not soupy.
- You can also add black oxide powder to the mix to give it a black color.
- For the best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the cement mix.
6
Lay the cement. Once the cement is thick, you should use the shovel to pour it into the trench. Fill the entire trench and then use a wooden float and a trowel to level it off and create a flat surface for the track. Once level, let the cement dry for at least 24 hours.
- Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the cement's drying time.
7
Draw lines. Take a piece of yellow chalk and draw lines on the track to create the lanes. In addition, you can also paint on lines or create stencils and spray paint lines and traffic signals. Be as creative as you would like decorating the track.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Building a Brick Race Track

1
Map out the track. Find a place in your backyard where you would like to build the track. Pick a relatively flat place where you will not kill any grass. It should also be big enough to accommodate the track. However, because you are using bricks, you can also adjust the track as needed.^{[1]
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- Have your kids come help you lay out the track so that they get a fun route that they helped design.
2
Lay out the blocks. Lay out the blocks end to end to create the track. Experiment with different routes and designs. Ultimately, you will want a track that loops back on itself. However, you can go with whatever design suits you and your child.^{[2]
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- If you want to connect the blocks permanently, consider connecting the bricks with landscaping adhesive once you have your track laid out.
- If you want to create bends in your track, consider using chalk to draw rounded lines at the corners.
3
Add lanes. Take a piece of yellow chalk and mark a line down the center of each block. This can be a straight line or a series of dashes like on a highway. You can also place a large patio stone near the track and draw parking lines on it to create a parking lot for your track.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Pool Noodle Race Track

1
Cut the noodle in half. With a serrated knife, cut the noodle in half lengthwise. To get a straight cut, consider cutting along one side of the noodle. Then use the first cut to guide the knife as you cut the other side. This should give you two even halves with grooves down the middle.
- If you want to do four lanes, you can cut another noodle in the same way. You can repeat this step to create as many tracks as you want.
2
Glue the sides together. Lay the noodles side by side on a flat surface. Take a hot glue gun and run a bead of glue just below the cut on one of the noodle halves. With the groove facing up, press the sides of the noodle halves together, squishing the glue between them. Hold for a few seconds.
- Repeat this step to attach any additional tracks.
3
Add some flags and a finish line. Take your construction paper and cut out some small triangles with a pair of scissors. Tape or glue the triangles to toothpicks and then stick them along the side of the track. Finally, cut out a rectangular piece that is about the width of the two tracks and attach a toothpick to each end. Write “Finish” on one side of the paper and stick it at the bottom end of the track.
4
Prop up the track. Place the track on a chair, table, bench, or anything that gives it some downward slope. The higher the angle, the faster the cars will go. Have your kids place their cars at the top of the track and then let go of them to race.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making a Simple Track

1
Mow a track in the grass. If you want to create a track that will not last very long, you might consider mowing lanes into the grass in your backyard. You can mow a track in tall grass or adjust your mower's deck and mow a path that is slightly lower than the other grass you mowed. Simply weave a path as you mow and you have created a temporary track.
- If you want to give the track lanes, consider using spray paint to map them out.
- The width of your mower deck will determine the width of your track. The wider the mower deck, the wider the track.
2
Draw a track with chalk. If you have a large slab of cement or concrete in your backyard, like a patio or a basketball court, you can create a track using chalk. All you need to do is clear off the area and draw a track. Add as many lanes as you need and any sketch out any traffic signals.
- Depending on the space available, you can make a track that is as wide as you want.
3
Spray paint a track. Take some yellow or white spray paint and mark a track. You can make the track small enough for your children's toys or large enough for them to race on themselves. Once the paint has dried, your kids can start racing.
- For grass, you can use normal spray paint. However, the outline of your track may be visible for a few weeks. Avoid spray painting on any concrete because the track will be visible for months.
- Depending on the size of the cars, you can make the track as wide as you want.