Is (almost) five years old too young for Scalextrics?

What say ye?

Way young. Hotwheels hotwheels hotwheels.

Unless you are going to play and he watches..... But even then you get pissed off because he wants to play with the cars all the time.

We've been doing Hot Wheels for three years and I thought it might be time to move up. I have some ancient Aurora stuff in the basement, but thought about getting something more modern. I have no experience with Scalextrics, but I just saw that a local hobby shop has them. I'm glad I asked. Thanks.

Yup, Scalextrics at five would result in terminal understeer at every corner due to a lack of ability to grasp the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics. Come clean and tell the spousal unit it's what you want for Christmas

Actually, this was a genuine for-the-kid idea.

Woody wrote: Actually, this was a genuine *for-the-kid* idea.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure it was.

The boob job was for-my-wife too.

T

I don't know. I'm on the fence about this one. Part of me says yeah sure, they're big, the cars are rugged. But the other part of me (that wants a scalextrics set) says no, the cars are expensive ti let a 5 y.o. destroy, etc, etc,etc.

Man you made me want a set now.

model trains might be the right bridge gaping activity. Gets use to putting tracks together and how the electricity works, yet it takes more to derail.

sachilles wrote: model trains might be the right bridge gaping activity. Gets use to putting tracks together and how the electricity works, yet it takes more to derail.

I don't know about that, I could derail my Marklin HO pretty easily as a kid. Damn thing couldn't corner worth a damn. The Scalectrix basic cars are pretty rugged. I held the distance record at a now defunct () shop with a Scalectrix Mini. Forgot to let off going into turn one, flew about 6ft off the track and rolled for a couple more. Good times.

Woody wrote: What say ye?

I have had a VERY different experience with my two boys. Boy 1 just turned 7 yesterday, and we were at the hobby shop driving slot cars. He has been driving since about 3+ years old. My trick was to not give him really nice cars that were expensive. The 1/43 carrara GO cars with an extra magnet in them work a treat. Plenty fast and won't jump the slot as easy. Then once he got the hang of it I sent him off with any of my cars he chooses. He knows not to crash on purpose, as some of these things are down right expensive. When he was about 4 we were at the local hobby shop running cars and the local "hot shoe" came in. This guy is rather errogant and will SCREAM out the lane he wants as he is walking through the door. One time he even removed my cars/controller/ and case because I was on the lane he wanted! Anyway this one day we were in running and Dave happend buy and my oldest Colin was running his 1/43 scale Porsche lemans car that has the extra magnet. He was able to litterally just hold it wide open the entire time. Anyway Dave doesn't like to be beaten because he proudly "tweaks" all of his cars, but today was not his day. Colin was beating the pants off him. The first time dave crashed Colin stopped and waited for him. That irritated Dave, I was smilling. So Dave switched cars, and still couldn't beat him. I was smirking and trying not laugh. So a few more cars were tried. The last car Dave declared was his fastest. He still couldn't keep up and Colin in the shear innocence of a child asked why the other guy couldn't catch him That was it, I flat lost it and laughed so hard Dave threw his cars in the case and left!!!

Kid #2 Connor, has been driving since he could walk. And now he is almost 4, and is capable of driving any slot car put in front him. From a HO to 1/24 graphite pan wing car.

Many hours have been spent with the two of them racing, and unbelievably not fighting. I do and have enjoyed it immensly. I would say that if your little one has any interest give them a try, I don't think you'll regret it one bit.

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Paul

Paul

That is a great story!!!!

Dammit, now you've got me thinking about buying an old Aurora track and getting my T-jets and AFX cars going for my 5 and 3 year old girls...

Yeah, an extra magnet can do wonders--on some cars you can just super glue one to the chassis. Scalextric also offers some cars that are a little less detailed, meaning less stuff to break off.

i just bought a large~ish AFX set for my 5 and 8 year olds.

fingers crossed

Yes, it's a repost. But it's just so berkeleying cool! James May does Scalextric at Brooklands, full episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH06kqg--8U

Go for it, my daughter has been driving a 1/10 scale Traxxas Slash for 4 years now. I started letting her drive when she was for years old. She can now take her Slash apart from bumper to bumper. If she can handle a 1/10 scale rc car, slot cars should be a walk threw the park for you kid. Remember they only get mad if you win too many times.

Crap. Used to have an A-mazing HO set as a kid (multiple sets put together streched between 3 rooms) and many cars, not sure where they went. I've been pondering slot cars for the finished basement that doesn't get used. I had almost given up on the idea, then I read this thread.

Dammit. I see a trip to the hobby store this week while I'm off.

Jerry wrote: Crap. Used to have an A-mazing HO set as a kid (multiple sets put together streched between 3 rooms) and many cars, not sure where they went. I've been pondering slot cars for the finished basement that doesn't get used. I had almost given up on the idea, then I read this thread. Dammit. I see a trip to the hobby store this week while I'm off.

Take money, 1/32 can get expensive. The nicer cars can run upwards of 100.00 US. I had a dream of doing a Gulf collection, then did the math.

Our hobby store nearby has a 1/32 and an HO track, with people that meet there for events. I've never managed to find the time to check it out, but really want to get back into it. Is HO scale dead?

Fond memories of a place in Mt Lookout (Cincy) as a kid in the late 70's that had probably 5 tracks, all for 1/24 and "Womp Womp" scale (anyone else familiar with that term?). He had a few 1/24 that seemed to fly, and I had a few Womp Womp's that I remember racing in a few tournaments. I still scan through eBay occasionally...