The race is on for kids big and small this half term

Author: Vicky Gooden

Thinking back to when you were a kid, what are your lasting memories of play?

It dawned on me recently that vehicles had been a rather central part of play for me. From pretending to be an ice cream van demanding orders from my family to spending hours at my cousin’s house playing Micro Machines on her dad’s computer. And then came the weekends and having Formula 1® on the telly as mum cooked up a roast. The thundering of the cars as they flew around the circuit providing the base to mum’s pots and pans percussion.

Now I have a daughter in primary school who when I’m driving has **many ** questions which I like to think is less about my driving skills and more about her natural inquisitiveness. What’s indicating? What’s the speed limit on this road? What’s that red triangle button?

I have a friend with a primary aged son who regularly dips into Formula 1 on the telly with his folks. He’s fixated on the bright green car that zips around the track. For him it’s like real life Hot Wheels, with pit stops being a very exciting focal point.

It could be that for kids, the ongoing interest in driving and cars is heightened because for them it is simply something they cannot do yet. The closest my daughter gets is when we’re parked up, the engine is off and she sits up front and presses a few buttons. So what better way to charge their imaginations than by actually putting them in the driving seat?

Last week, I visited F1 Arcade in London, right by St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s on level one of One New Change and I was lucky enough to be able to travel direct into City Thameslink station where it was then a short 8 minute walk away.

The place is big with a long impressive bar and banks of Formula 1 simulators. The TV screens dotted around the venue run through different promos, one of which promotes the experience as a family day out where anyone from the age of 7 can race until 6pm daily. There’s a DJ booth and cocktail menu which hints at the partying the older crowd might enjoy in the hours after that.

My husband joined me on this outing so that I had a head to head racing partner. And to be honest he was over the moon. After a short check in and briefing, we were shown to our sims and the racing began.

An appreciated feature of head to head racing is that you can play in the same race against each other but on different levels. This meant that I placed myself as a Rookie and the husband naturally went up to Semi Pro. I got the last laugh on one race though as I left him for dust. Considering F1 Arcade for a family day out makes the selection of racer level a bit of a genius move. It places F1 Arcade as one of those rare days out where if you have a 7 year old and a 15 year old, both will be happy. Not to mention mum and dad.

The F1 simulators give you a truly immersive experience as your senses are treated to the sights and sounds of the F1 circuits around the world, all the while shifting you around in response to your driving skills as you ask yourself ‘could I really be the next Lando Norris?’ Kids will love the anticipation of seeing where they are starting each race on the grid. If they are competing head to head with a group of friends, they might also spot the likes of Max Verstappen close by.

The simulators are very well equipped for those at the younger end of the scale. The steering wheels and pedals can be brought forward. If it still isn't right for the young racers, a booster can be provided. And if all else fails, the steering wheels themselves have brake and accelerator functions so everything can be controlled from there which is also brilliant for accessibility needs. On that note, all F1 Arcade venues are accessible for disabled visitors.

Via QR codes on the sim screens, you can seamlessly order food and drinks. The kid’s menu offers a meal deal at £9.50 for a main, scoop of ice cream and unlimited drinks refills. All the crowd pleasers are available, from cheeseburgers (or plant based burgers) and chips to chicken tenders and pizza. F1 Arcade also has a team in place to host kid’s birthday parties.

Even though our visit was over lunchtime on a Tuesday, there was still an exciting atmosphere: the lights, the music and the palpable energy of those in sims hurtling around corners trying to achieve their best lap yet. We took ourselves to a booth once our races were complete and tucked into a cheesy flatbread, dynamite fried chicken and halloumi fries. All delicious.

For a family of 4 during half term at around noon to take part in team racing would cost £64. If you opted for the London venue you are obviously then a stone’s throw from other tourist attractions to make a real day of it. Even a stroll over the nearby Millennium Bridge would command a few wows from the small people.

And with Father’s Day on the horizon, maybe the kids could treat him to a race or two because it turns out F1 Arcade is a brilliant visit for kids both big and small.

Click here to Book F1 Arcade London or F1 Arcade Birmingham

For more information about family racing at F1 Arcade click here.