Build a LEGO Car Race

Here’s a fun LEGO building idea for kids who love to tinker and pretend! Build a LEGO car race that releases two cars at the same time. The simple gate mechanism is so fun to build and play with.

This LEGO car race can lead to all kinds of imaginative play. Build a whole scene with spectators on bleachers, a concession stand, and a pit area for servicing the race cars.

There are several ways to play with this LEGO car race. Kids can open the gate and then drive the cars with their hands. Or, they can prop up a board or a large book to make a ramp. Then the cars will race on their own!

Another idea is to use hot wheels cars instead of LEGO cars. They will definitely go faster! LEGO wheels are not the best for speed.

Plus, it’s fun to compare hot wheels cars and see which ones are the fastest!

Ready to build your own LEGO car race?

Building Instructions:

We used two 16 x 16 plates as the base for our car race. The race lanes are 6 studs wide. We covered our race lines with tiles, which allows the cars to roll faster.

Here’s how I built the gate. I used a 1 x 15 Technic liftarm and a 5 x 3 L-shaped liftarm. I connected them with a 1 x 5 liftarm and a 1 x 3 liftarm.

Black Technic pins (with friction ridges) are perfect for connecting them.

Here’s a picture of the completed gate. I used two 1 x 5 Technic bricks and two light gray Technic pins (no friction ridges) to make the gate open and close.

Then you can just push the gate open with your finger. It’s super fun!

How to Build a LEGO Race Car:

Here are building instructions for the cute little cars!

Step 1: Gather the pieces shown.

Step 2: Attach a 1 x 2 – 1 x 2 white bracket and a 2 x 2 plate to a 2 x 6 plate. Then attach a 1 x 2 light gray grill to a white bracket.

Step 3: Add a 2 x 3 plate. Then stack two 1 x 4 plates and attach those to the car. Behind that, add two 1 x 2 plates and 1 x 2 – 1 x 4 bracket.

Find two 2 x 2 corner plates.

Step 4: Place the 2 x 2 corner plates on the car as shown.

Step 5: Add a 4 x 4 plate and a 2 x 4 plate to the car. Then find a 1 x 4 brick and four 2 x 2 clear slopes.

Step 6: Add the slope bricks and the 1 x 4 brick to the car as shown.

Step 7: Then add tiles to the roof. We used two 2 x 2 tiles and a 1 x 4 tile. Add two 1 x 2 slopes (30 degree) to the back of the car.

Step 8: Make some headlights for the car! Use two 1 x 1 bricks with a stud on the side and two 1 x 1 translucent orange round tiles.

Step 9: Use two 1 x 1 translucent red round plates to make tail lights.

Step 10: Flip the car over. Then find two 1 x 4 light gray plates and two 1 x 1 plates.

Step 11: Add a 1 x 1 plate on each side in the center of the car. Then add the two 1 x 4 light gray plates as shown.

Step 12: Add wheels, and your race car is complete! Now build another one in another color!

Set up a ramp for your car race!

You’ll want your ramp to be as thin as possible so that the cars don’t have a big bump when they transition to the floor. Use a thin piece of a wood or a hardcover book.