Anyone who grew up playing with Hot Wheels toy cars will enjoy “Hot Wheels: Race to Win” at Discovery Center Museum now through May 16. This new, family-friendly exhibit offers activities for all ages.
Visitors work together to build and test the fastest and safest speed machines on the planet, using Hot Wheels die-cast cars to experiment and play. This behind-the-scenes look at the thrilling world of racing investigates the scientific process for designing super-fast cars and helps families who have ‘the need for speed’ to understand how it’s achieved.
“This family learning experience provides hands-on opportunities for parents to explain complex physics concepts in fun ways using the popular Hot Wheels toy cars as they experiment with different principles to see which makes a car go fastest,” says Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of the museum that produced the exhibit, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Families love the Pit Stop Challenge in which they race the clock – and their family and friends – to change tires and refuel the car.
A six-lane downhill speed track, booster power track, adjustable angles track, and timing track are just a few of the ways visitors will be able to test their theories regarding the science of racing and cause and effect.
Real race car parts, authentic artifacts, and captivating memorabilia round out the experience.
“We’re excited to offer families something special with their museum visit,” says Sarah Wolf, executive director of Discovery Center. “Having an exhibit of this caliber is a great way to reopen and welcome guests back to Discovery Center.”
Introduced by Mattel in 1968, the “tricked-out” toy cars have come a long way, both in the die-cast and life-size varieties. More than 800 models and 11,000 variations of Hot Wheels cars have been created and more than 4 billion Hot Wheels die-cast cars have been sold.
“Generations of children have enjoyed the thrill and speed of racing with Hot Wheels, and this new interactive exhibit now brings families together to learn what brings racing to life in a fun and memorable way,” says Julie Freeland, senior director, Global Live Events & Attractions, Mattel.
To schedule a visit to the exhibit, register online at discoverycentermusuem.org/reservations#Reserve.
Admission to Discovery Center and “Hot Wheels: Race to Win” is $11/person for the general public and free to Discovery Center Members and children ages 1 and younger.
Hot Wheels: Race to Win is produced by Mattel and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The latter is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. The exhibit is sponsored locally by SwedishAmerican-a division of UW Health, Illinois Bank & Trust and WTVO/Fox 39.
Discovery Center Museum is a children’s science museum providing math, science and art experiences for all ages, with more than 250 hand-on exhibits, a planetarium, a special area for children ages 6 and younger, and an outdoor science park. It’s the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, “The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.”
In 2019, Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St.
General admission to the Museum is $9 adults, $9 children (ages 2 to 17); free to museum members and children age 1 and younger. Temporary hours: Thurs.-Fri. 10 am to noon and 2-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Thurs. – Sun. ❚