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Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge. {We Failed}

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

There a few things my boys love more in life than die cast cars. (Popsicles and Christmas immediately come to mind; however, both are seasonal occurrences, whereas their love for Disney Cars and Hot Wheels is steadfast and endures throughout the seasons.) Hence, when I was approached by @HotWheelsCanada to join the Hot Wheels Parent Connector Club, of course I jumped at the opportunity. Heck, why wouldn’t I take all the credit for being a hero mom? I sensed exultation and accolades, and I wanted in.

Before long, a veritable cornucopia of Hot Wheels tracks, stunts cars, playsets and more arrived at our front door. The boys were in heaven! They immediately wanted to rip into the toys, but I cautioned that they’d have to wait, as we were tasked with participating in a Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge. This meant that I’d be inviting over some of their friends, having a little party, and challenging them to build the most epic Hot Wheels track ever. Sounds like fun, right? Gentlemen, start your engines!

Hot Wheels Track Builder ChallengeOkay, so there’s only one car at the start line. And that’s because there was only one boy at our “party” – Ryder. Now before you start feeling sorry for him for having no friends, let me explain.

It’s been a hard month. We’ve had an illness in the family, and I’ve been struggling to juggle the demands of momhood, business, family travel… and life’s little curve balls. Although we had originally settled on a date for the track challenge party, our guests had to postpone. Then we had to postpone. And then life got crazy. And every time I thought to myself, “Damn, I really have to host that party with the boys and the cars and the tracks and the noise…” … I shuddered a little.

So yes, it’s pretty much my fault.

But then, in between planning yet another playdate and trying to sync everyone’s schedule, it occurred to me that Hot Wheels are about play. So, I unceremoniously tore apart all the boxes, dumped some tracks on the backyard patio, and I told Ryder to play. And he did. From generation to generation, the trusted Hot Wheels brand has ensured hours of fun for children of all ages. The newest playsets are just as enjoyable, with innovation and ingenuity that is both anticipated and appealing. 

It was quickly apparent that our participation in the Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge was an abysmal failure. Instead of having a gaggle of kids putting together a race track worthy of competition, I had Ryder snapping and bending, building and coaxing pieces into place.

Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge

Hot Wheels Track Builder ChallengeBut you know what? Rock on. The kid was having fun. He was learning new skills, perfecting his architectural talents, and making strange car noises that only boys under 12 years old can perfect. He even paused halfway through to introduce his car to the dirt. “Look Mom! The car falls in the dirt!”

Hot Wheels Track Builder ChallengeUp until that point, I still had delusions of grandeur, thinking that Ryder would create an irrefutably excellent track – one that would crown him the winner of all track challenges past, present and future. Except he launched that damn car into the mud about 37 times. At first, I barked at him to keep going – I had a blog post to write and I needed an acceptable final photo to showcase our accomplishments. Except, he looked at me and with those beautiful mermaid eyes, and declared, “But THIS is fun. This is what I like.”

I gave up and settled into the hammock. Who was I to argue?

And so he dillied and dallied for about an hour, and the sun dipped lower and lower into the horizon. Finally, I began to concede defeat; Ryder was not going to create an award-winning masterpiece any sooner than I was going to win Masterchef Canada. But when I finally let go of the notion that we were miserable losers, I captured some truly heartwarming moments of a child at play.

Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge

Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge

Hot Wheels Track Builder ChallengeAlas, I don’t have any celebratory photos to share. No grand finale; no story of a Hot Wheels Track Builder Challenge success. But I do know that a little boy spent two hours today examining the intricate inner-workings of a Hot Wheels track, and that brought him much, much joy. We are Hot Wheels fans for life.

Love what you (didn’t) see? Here’s your chance to win a Hot Wheels Prize Pack, valued at $50. Included is a Basic Car Assortment, Mutant Machine, Colour Shifter, Monster Jam Truck, Quick Kick Loop, Speedometer, Curve Pack and Launch Pack. (Does that sound like a different language to you? No matter, your kids can play interpreter. I know mine can!)

To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Special thanks to Hot Wheels Canada for putting up with our non-entry and allowing us the chance to simply play.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Crystal Englot

    My 4 year old son is a total Hot Wheels addict! He definitely gets that from his Dad, who also loves to play with them as well lol

  7. Amy Stack

    I have two really cute Hot Wheels enthusiasts in my family- my two little guys- and they would love to share this! PS- I love the honesty in your post. I am also guilty of barking orders to try to satisfy some image of childhood perfection I have had in my mind. I’m glad you both enjoyed it at the end. :)

  10. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    My 5 yr old niece would definitely be into this, she’s a creator of sorts. And kudos playing and imagination in play is actually winning.

  11. Cheryl

    He’s so adorable and it looks like he’s having a blast! It’s so funny to watch the way a child’s imagination works while they are playing. Our little toy houses have now been turned into parking garages for my son’s cars.

    I hope everything in your life is starting to settle down a bit so you can find some time to relax!

  16. Natalie

    My 5 year old…and my hubby! Hubby still has some cars from when he was a little boy many years ago ;)

  30. Doris Calvert

    My niece and nephew love Hot Wheels, but just want to say your son didn’t fail that’s Hot Wheels and you can switch them around but he did pretty good.

  34. Darlene Schuller

    My son is!! I just want to say regardless of friends or not.. the boy looks like he’s having a fantastic time!!

  38. Flora M

    Believe it or not, I was when I was a kid LOL And it was FUN !! Now my two youngest granddaughters love the cars – no tracks as there really isn’t ANY room in their house (with 7 people and a dog) to be able to build and set up. Maybe “nana” will find some room at her house for it though (wink-wink) :)

  41. Sarita

    My 5 year old son (and 2 year old daughter) both love playing with the Hot Wheels cars and tracks. They’re scattered all over my basement!

  57. Amy Brown

    My nephew is the hot wheels lover, he lines up all of his cars on his headboard every night before he goes to sleep.

  63. Andrea Amy

    My youngest three are all huge Hot Wheels fans, but its my 5 year old who is the addict.

  76. Audrey Skinner

    My great-nephew would love this and it would be great to have for him to play with when he comes for sleepovers.

  92. Christy Martin

    My almost 3 year old nephew would go insane with this! He is big with anything with wheels – like beyond normal.