User-friendly race sets

Almost all of the race sets on the market are complete sets—that is, everything necessary to begin racing is in the box.  (The exceptions are a few large layouts marketed by Ninco that come with everything except the cars.) These race sets are “plug-and-play” systems.  Everything snaps and plugs together with no tools needed.  Also, the sets all come with reasonably complete and understandable instructions.   This means you can buy the race set of your choice and then just wrap it up and place it under the tree, knowing that on Christmas morning you and your kids can open the box, snap everything together right on the living room carpet, and let the fun begin.  The only additional item you really need that first day, besides what’s in the box, is a small bottle of light plastic-compatible oil with which to lubricate the cars as shown in the instructions.  As you and your children gain experience you will discover a variety of add-on items that will make the racing more fun and more competitive, but all the immediate necessities are there in the race set box, right from the beginning.

Some race sets are more beginner-friendly than others.  We carry a complete selection of two different conventional track systems, Scalextric and Carrera.  They are both quality systems, but Scalextric is generally more child-friendly (and parent-friendly, too.)  Scalextric track sections slide together easily and lock positively with no clips or other small parts needed to hold them together.   They are made of a flexible, resilient material that stands up well to repeated assembly and disassembly and the rougher handling it will get from day-in, day-out use by children, especially if they like to change the layout a lot and must set it up on the floor where it will likely be stepped on.  Carrera track is more breakable and uses small plastic clips on the underside of the track.  The clips can be difficult and frustrating for children, requiring more skill and, sometimes, finger strength than they may be able to apply.  Carrera track has its positive qualities, too, but it is better suited to the particular needs and preferences of serious adult enthusiasts.  If Dad has his heart set on a Carrera layout the kids can still have fun racing on it but Dad may not want to let them use it unsupervised or change the layout.

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