In the spotlight

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

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.

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.

Photo Galleries of Pinewood Derby Car Designs

Scroll through photos of Pinewood Derby cars created by other Scout Life readers to get design inspiration. Have you made a Pinewood Derby car? Send us a picture of your car!

Creative Pinewood Derby Cars From 2025

Past years: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | More…

Photo Gallery of Shark Pinewood Derby Cars

100 Photos of Star Wars Pinewood Derby Cars

Pokémon Car Designs in the Pinewood Derby

Minecraft Car Designs in the Pinewood Derby

More Pinewood Derby Photo Galleries …

How to Build the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car

From polishing the axles to wheels to weight placement, check out these proven tips and tricks for making the fastest Pinewood Derby car.

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.

What Are the Official 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.

Where Do I Put Weights on 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.

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.

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.

How to Design and Paint Your Pinewood Derby Car

For many Cub Scouts, a Pinewood Derby car’s design is more important than its speed. Here are some ideas for giving your car that extra polish.

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.

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.