FOS taking kids with you
Discussion
Took my two lads when they were 5 & 3 years old in 2008, one a petrol head (already at 3) and the other not. They liked the cars on display, especially in the supercar paddock & liked the cars when they were going up the hill.
However they got bored easily with the waiting between runs and didn't like the noisier cars especially the Hemi powered wheelie thing. They also got spooked by people starting up engines in the paddock. Then it rained, which would have made life difficult if we weren't lucky enough on that occasion to know an exhibitor with a motorhome to retreat too.
There is a lot of walking if you want to do all the site including the rally stage at the top of the course which might be a bit much for little ones even using the tractor buses up part of the hill. If you do go up there be aware they stop the rally section for about an hour at lunchtime.
It's do able, but best if you go with another adult & take it in turns to look at things with your lad whilst the other one goes off on their own for an hour or so to do the not so child friendly bits.
I've also taken them to the Revival which I reckon is the easier option of the two with children.
Oh, & take your own food & drink for him (& yourself) as the food costs on site can be somewhat expensive.
However they got bored easily with the waiting between runs and didn't like the noisier cars especially the Hemi powered wheelie thing. They also got spooked by people starting up engines in the paddock. Then it rained, which would have made life difficult if we weren't lucky enough on that occasion to know an exhibitor with a motorhome to retreat too.
There is a lot of walking if you want to do all the site including the rally stage at the top of the course which might be a bit much for little ones even using the tractor buses up part of the hill. If you do go up there be aware they stop the rally section for about an hour at lunchtime.
It's do able, but best if you go with another adult & take it in turns to look at things with your lad whilst the other one goes off on their own for an hour or so to do the not so child friendly bits.
I've also taken them to the Revival which I reckon is the easier option of the two with children.
Oh, & take your own food & drink for him (& yourself) as the food costs on site can be somewhat expensive.
Edited by Tempest_5 on Thursday 16th June 22:04
Took my one and half year old daughter to her first FoS last year (with the wife). Stayed by the house and trade stands and near the track to see the cars go by. One thing to think of getting before you go is some ear protectors (the ones that look like big headphones) as they can be quite expensive to buy there.
They'll like watching the wacky races
They'll like watching the wacky races
that said, all this mention of walking up the hill - my 6 month pregnant wife is coming - am I going to have problems dragging her up the hill instead?
I'm always astonished when I see parents pushing child buggies up to the rally stage let alone navigating them around the thousands of spectators at the bottom.
Personally, I wouldn't bring a small child as I'm selfish and see it as a day out for myself, not to be spent trying to interest/educate/placate a tired, hot, grumpy, bored, whinging kid
Personally, I wouldn't bring a small child as I'm selfish and see it as a day out for myself, not to be spent trying to interest/educate/placate a tired, hot, grumpy, bored, whinging kid
Taking my 4.5 year old for the first time this Saturday. He will happily spend a day at a race track watching the cars and I know he will love this. Also I think Lightning McQueen (Pixar) may be attending and he will be beside himself if he spots him! The only bit I need to accept before hand is a constant demand for an ice cream and the fact he will probably want to be on my shoulders for the long distance walks.
Late to this one, but we took our 1 year old for one day last year and she had a great time. Ear defenders are a must, though our little darling contrived to lose hers somewhere in the pits (possibly under Mr Ragnottis lovely Renault 5) and I had to go charging off to find her a new pair before the Vulcan bomber arrived. She loved the wacky racers and the static display of hot rods on the cricket pitch; she danced around a lot to Billy Gibbons and Jeff Beck; and generally had a lot of fun. We had the grandparents on hand to share the child care load, and found it pretty easy. She walked a bit, sat in her pushchair a bit, and we took an easy pace towards everything which helped. We made it up to the very top Rally paddock and down to the hill climb startline, with no problems.
This year we're taking her again, and going for the saturday and sunday - but we are marshalling the rally stage, so will be splitting childcare between the wife and I. Wife and Daughter aren't camping tho - they're decamping to a local hotel, whilst leaving me in a tent. Assuming the layout is similar to last year, that should also give us a hidey hole relatively close by if she decides she needs an afternoon nap. She has already expressed excitement at seeing more "racey cars". She is a bit of a veteran of motorsport events now, and seems to really love them.
Personally I can think of no more child-friendly big motorsport events than the FOS.
This year we're taking her again, and going for the saturday and sunday - but we are marshalling the rally stage, so will be splitting childcare between the wife and I. Wife and Daughter aren't camping tho - they're decamping to a local hotel, whilst leaving me in a tent. Assuming the layout is similar to last year, that should also give us a hidey hole relatively close by if she decides she needs an afternoon nap. She has already expressed excitement at seeing more "racey cars". She is a bit of a veteran of motorsport events now, and seems to really love them.
Personally I can think of no more child-friendly big motorsport events than the FOS.
I'm taking my 3 1/2 year old for the first time on Saturday. I've been to most since the very first so the focus is on him rather than me (and I don't really bother much with the trackside action any more).
If I remember, they used to include earplugs with the programme - do they still do this? If not, where do you buy headphones?
If I remember, they used to include earplugs with the programme - do they still do this? If not, where do you buy headphones?
Last year at about 4 months old...
There is a baby in there, honest, but didn't think the Marshalls would be keen on us hanging round on the start line to properly pose a photo
Was at his first Breakfast Club at 7 days old.
Would agree that ear protection is a must, along with bringing own food and drink. And sun tan lotion!
There is a baby in there, honest, but didn't think the Marshalls would be keen on us hanging round on the start line to properly pose a photo
Was at his first Breakfast Club at 7 days old.
Would agree that ear protection is a must, along with bringing own food and drink. And sun tan lotion!
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