• Get creative with design and building materials at a family pinewood derby event.The doll stands near the toy machine image by Podfoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Pinewood derbies have been a Boy Scout tradition since 1953. Bring the fun, excitement and learning of a pinewood derby into your home by hosting a family pinewood derby tournament. From building the cars in teams to hosting a creative trick competition, family pinewood derbies add excitement and fun to a derby, especially when families restrict themselves to official pinewood derby rules. Consider hosting a derby at a family reunion or a backyard party to bring even more family members into the action.
  
  

Building Challenge

• Even the process of building a pinewood derby car can be turned into a family event. Divide the family into teams of two; for families with young children, one parent or adult per young child is the best way to ensure a fair playing field. In families with older children, a children-versus-parents arrangement may provide friendly competition. Purchase one official pinewood derby building kit per team. Set a timer and see which team can successfully build a working derby car in the least amount of time.
  
  For a more create challenge, abandon the official kits and challenge teams to create a functional derby car in a set amount of time (three to four hours) using whatever materials they can find. Award a prize, such as a ribbon or a get-out-of-chores free pass, for the most creative working car completed within the time restriction.
  
  

Racing Games

• The heart of any pinewood derby is the racing of the completed cars. Use household materials to create a simple pinewood derby track. A cardboard box with a curved section of stiff poster board angled in the open side serves as an indoor ramp; a flat board placed on a staircase also makes a quick ramp. For a more elaborate set-up, craft a larger ramp using a simple wooden frame and a flexible sheet of balsa wood. Host heats in which two family members race their cars at the same time; the winner of the first heat competes against a new player in the second heat. Continue eliminating racers until one winning racer remains. Reward the racer with a relevant household prize, such as a dinner of her choice each night of the following week.
  
  

Family Derby Cars

• If you are planning a large family get-together such as a reunion in the near future, invite family members to get into the spirit ahead of time by announcing a pinewood derby event to be held during the gathering. In addition to the typical racing games, challenge families to create cars that represent their family unit or the larger extended family. Cars might include pictures of each family member in the window, a painting of a family seal or a license plate with the family surname. Prior to the races at the event, invite families to display their cars and share the inspiration for the design and decorations. Though not necessary, you may opt to award a prize such as a ribbon or trophy to the car that best represents a particular family.