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Race Time

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Race Time lets you build and race a Pinewood Derby car or Raingutter Regatta boat. You'll design, build, and test with an adult, then race with your pack. The best part is making something yourself and cheering for everyone.

Why it's worth it

Race Time lets you design something, build it with your own hands, and watch it zoom down a track or sail down a rain gutter. Working with an adult, you'll figure out how to make your car or boat faster, and you'll cheer for every racer in your pack. Whether you finish first or last, you go home with something you made yourself.

Start this week

  1. Ask your den leader for your pack's race date and the race rules.
  2. Draw three ideas for how your car or boat could look.
  3. Ask whether your pack has a build night with tools and helpers.
  4. Find a spot at home where your project can dry without getting bumped.

Plan ahead: Find your pack's race date first. Building, painting, and drying usually take a few weekends, so start requirement 1 early instead of the week of the race.

Stay safe

  • Let an adult do the sawing and drilling. Wear safety glasses when you sand, and paint outside or with a window open.

Requirements · 5

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    With an adult, build a car for the Pinewood Derby or a boat for the Raingutter Regatta

    Tip: Draw your design first. Let an adult handle saws and tools while you sand and paint.

    For example: You draw the shape, your adult does the cutting, and you sand it smooth, paint it, and add decorations. Then you work together on the wheels or the sail.

  2. Requirement 2

    Learn the race rules for the vehicle you chose in requirement 1

    Tip: Read the race rules together so your car or boat fits the size and weight limits.

    For example: Race rules usually limit weight and size and say which parts you can use. Read your pack's rules together and check your car or boat with a kitchen scale and a ruler.

  3. Requirement 3

    Identify ways you could make your chosen vehicle faster

    Tip: Talk about ways to go faster, like smooth wheels for cars or a good sail shape for boats.

    For example: For a car: sand the wheels smooth and make sure they spin freely. For a boat: try a different sail shape and test it in a bathtub by blowing on it.

  4. Requirement 4

    Before the race, talk with your den about how you will show good sportsmanship during it

    Tip: Plan with your den how to cheer for others and shake hands, win or lose.

    For example: Your den might agree to clap for every racer, say "good race" to the person next to you, and help pick up a car that falls off the track.

  5. Requirement 5

    Race your car or boat in a Pinewood Derby or Raingutter Regatta

    Tip: Race on race day and have fun. Cheer for your friends too.

Talk about it together

  • What part of building was the most fun?
  • What did you change to make it faster, and what happened?
  • How did you feel on race day, and how did you cheer for others?
  • What would you try differently next time?

Good questions to ask a family member or den parent who has built one before

  • What's the most important thing for making it go fast?
  • What mistake should I watch out for?
  • What was your favorite one you ever made?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Host a build night with tools and adult helpers for families who need them.
  • Share race rules early so everyone builds to the same limits.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Wolf adventures

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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.