By Ava Gates
As summer break begins, you might need something to entertain the little ones. Sometimes finding childcare, summer school, or summer camps can be tough. Lancaster Rec offers some great opportunities, but if you’re looking for at-home options to keep kids active and learning, here’s one (United) Way to keep young minds engaged.
Driveway Trike Race
Since 1999, United Way of Lancaster County has held their annual trike race as a fundraiser to support their work in the community. Now this event has been held in many locations such as Binns Park, Rhoads Energy’s, the former Clipper Magazine Stadium and most recently Greenfield Lancaster. But your race doesn’t have to happen anywhere other than a driveway or even a sidewalk!
Materials Needed:
- 1 Trike/Bike per team
- For assistance in getting a refurbished bike right here in Lancaster County, check out The Common Wheel!
- Safety Gear
- Helmets are a must when riding a bike (or even a trike)!
- Knee and elbow pads
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Trike Race Trophy (optional)
Setting Up Your Race:
Now that you have all the materials, it’s time to set up your race! Recruit some friends or siblings and break up into teams. (Your team can be as small as two people or as large as five! But both teams should have the same number of riders.) There should then be one trike and one race lane per team.
So, take your sidewalk chalk and divide the driveway or sidewalk into two, or more, lanes. Make sure you have enough space for each team to race without causing a collision! Next, be sure to mark your start line and the turnaround line. You can make these as far apart as you want.
Before you start your race, it’s important to discuss what the prize might be. At United Way, we have the Tike Race trophy, and a lot of bragging rights, that are presented to each winner. You might want to make a certificate out of some paper and crayons. Maybe an old plastic princess tiara would work. Make your trophy something worth winning! (Even if it’s just bragging rights.)
You are now able to start your race! Racers should gear up with the right safety gear (Remember to always wear your helmet!) and will line up at the start line. Have a parent, guardian or designated referee count you off and start the race. Teams will have one person at a time ride to the turnaround line and return to the start where the next person will hop on the trike and repeat the same steps. Keep pedaling until all your team members have taken their turn and crossed the start line.
Finally, have your referee name the winner and award your very own Trike Race Trophy!
If you try this summer activity, be sure to share your results through email or social media and tag United Way of Lancaster County. We can’t wait to see how your race turns out!
