Pinewood Derby – Scout Life magazine

Take a Look at These Phenomenal Pinewood Derby Cars From 2024

Experience the thrill of speed and creativity in our 2024 Pinewood Derby car hall of fame.

How to Make a Fast Pinewood Derby Car

There are many ways to make your Pinewood Derby car go faster. Here are some of them.

Where to Add Weight to a Pinewood Derby Car to Make it Go Faster

Should you add weight to the back of your Pinewood Derby car or to the front? Here's what we know about that age-old question.

Check Out These Fantastic Pinewood Derby Car Designs From 2023

These fun, fast and fantastic Pinewood Derby are awesome!

Use Science to Build the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car

A former NASA engineer explains how you can use science to make the fastest car at your next Pinewood Derby.

25 Funny Pinewood Derby Jokes

Be a humor champion with these winning Pinewood Derby jokes that are guaranteed to take the checkered flag.

Watch How a Pinewood Derby Car Kit Gets Made

VIDEO: Watch as logs from a sustainable forest get turned into kits for your Pinewood Derby car.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Pinewood Derby

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the Pinewood Derby, as well as links to helpful resources and additional information.

100 Photos of Star Wars Pinewood Derby Cars

Jump into hyperspace with these awesome Star Wars-themed Pinewood Derby cars built by Scout Life readers.

How to Paint a Pinewood Derby Car to Give It a Glossy Finish

Sandpaper and paint can turn a block of wood into a sleek Pinewood Derby car that looks as smooth as steel.

Download a Free Pinewood Derby Car Design Template

Use this handy template to sketch out your Pinewood Derby car's design before you start cutting.

How to Make a Pinewood Derby Car Display

When the race is over, enter the winner's circle by building this display for your Pinewood Derby car.

Pokémon Car Designs in the Pinewood Derby

Take a look at Pikachu, Turtwig and Charizard Pinewood Derby cars inspired by the Pokémon universe.

Minecraft Car Designs in the Pinewood Derby

Minecraft-themed Pinewood Derby cars are super popular this year. Check out these awesome photos.

What Are the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Rules?

Race rules provide guidance and create a fair race for everyone. Make sure you know your pack's rules before you start building.

How to Polish Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Axles and Wheels

Polishing your Pinewood Derby car's axles and wheels may be the most important factor in building a fast car.

Photos of Lego-Themed Pinewood Derby Cars

Block out some time to look at these snappy Lego Pinewood Derby cars.

Photo Gallery of Shark Pinewood Derby Cars

Shark Pinewood Derby cars are designed to intimidate the competition. Take a look at some of our favorites.

Take a Look at These Stunning Pinewood Derby Cars From 2022

These Pinewood Derby cars are amazing! Check out this photo gallery of creative Pinewood Derby cars sent to us by Scout Life readers.

These Incredible Pinewood Derby Cars From 2021 Will Inspire You

Check out these Pinewood Derby cars! Our photo gallery of creative cars is incredible. Take a look and then send us a photo of your 2021 Pinewood Derby car.

Get Inspired by These Awesome Pinewood Derby Car Designs of 2020

Take a look at this photo gallery of creative Pinewood Derby car designs sent to us by Scout Life readers.

These Pinewood Derby Cars Are Glowing (Yours Can, Too)!

The new, amped up cars glow in the dark and sport some sweet headlights and lights on their underbodies.

Amazing Pinewood Derby Car Designs of 2019

Take a look at these photos of awesome Pinewood Derby car designs sent to us by Boys' Life readers.

Cool Pinewood Derby Car Designs of 2018

Check out these pictures of cool Pinewood Derby car designs sent to us by Boys' Life readers.

Outstanding Pinewood Derby Car Designs of 2017

Need ideas for your Pinewood Derby car design? Here are images of some of the coolest Pinewood Derby car designs of 2017.

Pedro’s Nitro Derby

Collect nitro boosts as you race your car on nine challenging courses in Pedro's Nitro Derby.

Cub Scouts Race Pinewood Derby Cars in SunTrust Park and Get a Visit From Their MLB Heroes

Nothing tops the feeling of sending your Pinewood Derby car flying down a track … unless, you’re racing that car on the field where baseball superstars hit it out

This Mom Wasn’t Sure About Her Son’s Pinewood Derby Car Design But Then…

When Sherry’s son had an ambitious idea for the design of his Pinewood Derby car, she wasn’t enthusiastic about it. In fact, a slew of questions came to her

This Scout Dad’s Use for Old Pinewood Derby Cars Will Make You Want to Get Crafty

Love the Scouting memories but need a new use for those fewer-than-five-ounces blocks on wheels? Neil Fern, father to two Scouts, is here to save the seasoned Pinewood Derby

Putting Science to Work for Pinewood Derby – Tips From a Former NASA Engineer and a Scout Mom

Ask a Cub Scout his favorite activity of the year. There’s a good chance he’ll tell you Pinewood Derby. And whether kids realize it or not, part of enjoying

My Pack Decided to Make a Massive Pinewood Derby Car

My name is Stacie Keenan, and I’m a leader from Pack 1475. We built what we like to call “The World’s Largest Scale Pinewood Derby Car”! About Pack

Hosting a Pinewood Derby for Children with Special Needs

Amid the typical cheers and laughter heard at Pinewood Derbies across the country, something very special was happening at April 22’s Pinewood Derby in Neenah, WI. As

9 Pinewood Derby Photo Contest Entries You Have to See

The major thrills of Pinewood Derby come from a celebration of all things Cub Scout, like friendship, leadership, and learning. That’s why we want to recognize nine

100 Fantastic Pinewood Derby Car Designs of 2016

Here are some of the best Pinewood Derby cars of 2016 sent in by Boys' Life readers.

Pinewood Derby Workshop Honors Late Scout Leader

A Personal Tragedy Felt By the Whole Community In the days before Christmas, Cub Scout Pack 22 in Whitman, Massachusetts lost a long time Scout leader and volunteer to a

Sportsmanship is the Real Winner at Pinewood Derby

In some ways, Pinewood Derby can be disappointing for young, hopeful minds and hearts, especially considering the fact that most of the racers don’t end up technically

A Pinewood Derby in Times Square

Depending on where you are, Scouting takes on a slightly different flavor. Here on the Cub Hub, we like to bring you stories from various areas and councils that showcase

Announcing the Pinewood Derby Photo Contest Winners!

Whew, it’s been a whirlwind of a couple of months with our first ever Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby Photo Contest. First of all, we want to say thank you to all of you who

What’s Next for the 2015 Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Photo Contest?

It’s getting close to the end of the month and for most of you that means wrapping up your Pinewood Derby events. For us it means wrapping up Phase 1 of the 2015 Cub

15 Insanely Creative Pop Culture References in Pinewood Derby Cars

Scouting has been around a long time, so of course it often pops up in our entertainment and popular culture. While, obviously, no one is “stuck on” Webelos for

Six Pinewood Derby Cars That Will Make You Hungry!

Pinewood Derby isn’t always about the speed. Creativity counts for a lot. But there’s something about these creative Pinewood Derby cars that made us hungry, real