what kinds of racetracks are great?

[WatchingThemGrow]

My boys would like some race tracks. They are 2.5 and 4. Any suggestions?

[Naranjadia]

We got the 24' Blutrack race track a year ago and the kids love it/ it's versatile, they can create many positions with it. I see that you can also get it with wedges in order to support loops - though my kids make them anyway with items around the house.

We also had a track with a motorized chute that would popel the cars up a loop and around a circle, but it lasted less than a year before the motor wore out and was much more limited in terms of what they could do with it. It was more for watching than interacting. I can't remember which one it was, we picked it up at Target 2 years ago - probably Hot Wheels brand.

[Tondi G]

the only hotwheels track set that we've had really good luck with (although it did take a fair amount of big batteries) was the Sky jump set. When we got it, it was after the movie Speed racer came out so it was the speed racer sky jump.... they just rebrand it. My little guy sat for a LONG time watching the cars go through the track over and over.

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-Sky-Jump-Track/dp/B004U5FRQI

[WatchingThemGrow]

Thanks for those replies. It's funny b/c I've *never* really looked at these things. I do remember seeing a post about blutrack vs. darda. I need to go see what people decided about those two. I'd rather have something interactive than just something to watch. Any more ideas? Any BF deals, by chance? I'm wondering what Learning Express carries since they have a big BF event with 20% off.

[WatchingThemGrow]

What are your thoughts on this set? http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-DACAC-Create-Course-Building/dp/B003O64HQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1322141880&sr=1-1 It is made by Darda and seems to be the same as this http://www.amazon.com/Darda-Create-Course-Building-System/dp/B0006M6VV4

[kristac]

I think those sets look fun but too advanced for a 4 and 2.5 year old. Maybe start with a smaller Darda set.

We have good luck with http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-4-Lane-Raceway/dp/B000JSI63G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322147099&sr=8-1 at that age. Also my boys really love thier road rugs (and not a ton of pieces to clean up!)

[KrisM]

That Hot Wheels 4-lane raceway is good. We're on our second (cheaper in a store than Amazon). The first lasted about 3 years and we had a couple cracks so we replaced it as it still gets played with.

DS2 is getting the Darda Victory Lane (http://www.amazon.com/Darda-921-11177-NASCAR-Victory-Lane/dp/B0000AZTBE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322147895&sr=8-1)for Christmas. I had asked about BluTrack vs. Darda and decided we don't have the space to set up the BluTrack.

I got the Darda at Tuesday Morning last year. That store is so odd you might still find one there. It was $30.

[WatchingThemGrow]

I think those sets look fun but too advanced for a 4 and 2.5 year old. Maybe start with a smaller Darda set.

We have good luck with http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-4-Lane-Raceway/dp/B000JSI63G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322147099&sr=8-1 at that age. Also my boys really love thier road rugs (and not a ton of pieces to clean up!)
Oh, I forgot to mention that my 5.5 yo will definitely be joining in the fun, likely directing everyone else. When they play, everyone plays the same thing. It is crazy. We have to have 3 of everything, so I thought this set would give everyone the pieces to make their own tracks if need be. We'd need to order another car, though. Do you think they could manage it with the big kid helping?

Kris, I did remember something about Tuesday Morning, and I looked for tracks there last week. I got the $12 puppet stands, but no racetracks.

What other stores have you guys seen Darda in? Our local indy toy store has a little bit, but they have no sales

[WatchingThemGrow]

and decided we don't have the space to set up the BluTrack.
If YOU don't have the space, then we surely don't! Our house is 1/3 smaller than yours IIRC.

[KrisM]

If YOU don't have the space, then we surely don't! Our house is 1/3 smaller than yours IIRC.

Most likely true! I haven't used them or even seem them, but that's what others said. I need another bump n go car. I think those sound like they'll make it more fun - a second car to go around after the first ends.