First-timer's guide: Bringing kids to the Indy 500
Editor’s Note: CityMom Stacey may no longer call Indy home, but that doesn’t stop her from making the annual trek to the Circle City for the 500 every year. And yes, she brings her kids! Read on for her tips…
We get interesting reactions when we say that our 7-year-old has been to four Indy 500 races thus far, and our 10-year-old is at five races and counting - “But isn’t there a snake pit?!” “But isn’t it so loud?!” “Do kids even like racing?!”
Yes, there is a Snake Pit (not actual snakes, think mosh pit), but my kids don’t even know it exists. Yes, it can be loud, so we bring hearing protection. And yes, your kid will probably love racing! It’s fast-paced, with many fun traditions, and the month is full of activities. Both of our children became race fans at a young age, so it’s never too early to start your own family tradition for the month of May.
If you’re ready to try out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, here are my tried and true tips:
1. Sunscreen, water, and hearing protection.
I feel like this might be obvious, but I’m gonna make it first on the list just in case. Nothing will make your day rougher than sunburn, dehydration, or noise sensitivity! Double-check your bag on the way out the door and make sure you have all three things.
MOM TIP: We prefer over-the-ear hearing protection for our kids as opposed to the little foam earplugs that don’t like to stay in tiny ear canals.
2. Scope out the map ahead of time and decide where you want to be.
IMS is huge - so huge that Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, Vatican City (plus a couple more landmarks), would all fit inside. Most kids won’t be up for hiking all over the 2.5-mile track, so pick an area of the track and plan to hang out there.
We park in the neighborhoods east of the track (some lovely families rent out their driveways, but get there early to grab a spot!), walk down to 16th St, and enter from the 16th Street gates - there are clean restrooms close by (parenting win!), the IMS Museum is a nice air-conditioned spot to recharge if it gets hot, and you’re close enough to the garages to wander through before the race starts.
MOM TIP: The Snake Pit, FYI, is on the opposite end of the track from the museum - leave that to the college kids and come hang out with us. :)
The 2024 Indy 500 theme is…
3. Enjoy the events before race day.
Yes, the race is super cool, but there is so much more! If you want something quieter or less crowded, check out a practice day earlier in the month, the GMR Grand Prix on May 11 (same cars, same drivers, just less crowded and a slightly different course), or qualifying day. All of these will give you a taste of racing but at a slower pace.
On race day, there’s plenty to do before the race - you can walk on the actual race track, peek in the garages, watch the parade of marching bands, hear the bagpipes, watch the trophy be delivered to the pagoda, (kiss the bricks while you’re there, iconic picture alert!), check out the IMS Kids Zone in the Fan Midway, and more.
4. Know the cooler sizes, and bring your own food.
There are some awesome concession stands to check out (helloooo, Hoosier pork tenderloin!) but I recommend packing your food as well, especially snacks.
Depending on where you are, it can be a long walk (see #2, it’s a huge place) to the stand you want so it’s great to have some kid-friendly favorites on hand. We like trail mix, fruit, gummy worms, and sandwiches - think of things that won’t melt in the heat and don’t need utensils.
Also, note that the only restrictions are no glass containers, so we find the most exciting juice boxes for the kids as a special treat.
MOM TIP: If you want to start a new tradition for your family, pack tiny milk bottles so you can all drink with the winner at the end! And of course, plenty of water!
5. Get involved in the race.
Pick a favorite driver and cheer him or her on! Our family’s tradition on race day is to cut up the spotters guide so that each car is on its own slip of paper and draw them out of a hat before the race begins.
If you have older kids and adults, you can up the ante with a cash pool or a gift card prize, but two years ago I laminated a picture of the Borg-Warner trophy to use for whoever drew the winning driver. (I think my kiddos might love the laminated trophy more than they’d love cash!)
MOM TIP: Outside of drawing drivers, you can sport Paretta side braids like my daughters, and I will be, or there’s merchandise in the Fan Midway, so you can buy a favorite driver’s shirt each year as a souvenir.
I hope these tips give you the confidence to brave the track with little ones in tow because there’s nothing like watching your kid’s eyes light up at hearing the roar of a race car for the first time.
