I received complimentary admission to a screening of Cars 3.  This post may contain affiliate links.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so thrilled to be able to return to the racing world with Lightning McQueen in Cars 3.  It’s been over 10 years since rookie #95 took the track and the Piston Cup.  Now he’s being outpaced by the next generation of racers, including Jackson Storm, who rely on the latest technology and design.  Can McQueen keep pace with these young cars?  With the help of new trainer Cruz Ramirez and some old racers, he might have a chance.

To celebrate the release of the new Disney Pixar film, my girls and I made some Cars 3 Candy Bark.  As a mama of three daughters, I know two things: girls like Cars and chocolate.

What You’ll Need

• 3 cups red candy melts
• 1/4 cup white candy melts
• Lightning bolt sprinkles
• Mini Oreos

I had purchased the lightning bolt sprinkles to make Harry Potter Pretzel Rods for my lil’ Harry Potter obsessed Muggle.   Originally they came from Amazon, but I noticed they are currently unavailable.  If you can’t find them, I’d choose yellow sprinkles.  They’ll add the flash of color that Lightning McQueen wears.

How to Make Cars 3 Candy Bark

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.  Melt red candy melts according to package directions.  I normally microwave mine in short spurts, stirring in between.  Once the candy is melted, spread over waxed paper with a spatula.  My helpers tested me to see if can maintain the fun while baking by spreading chocolate suuuuper thin.  Ugh.  I told myself it’d be better to have more pieces anyway, but ideally 1/4 of an inch is ideal.

Next, melt the white candy melts.  We opted to make lines crossing the red chocolate.  Use a piping bag or even a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.

Immediately add sprinkles for Lightning McQueen’s lightning bolt and Oreo cookies for the tires.

Once the candy has set, cut or break it into pieces.  You can store candy bark in an airtight containers, but I promise your kids will find and devour it.

My middle daughter and I have already seen Cars 3 and loved it.  As you’d expect from Disney movies there’s a strong moral throughout, tied with humor perfect for every member of the family.  While you’re waiting for your bark to set, check out this extended look “Lightning Strikes.”

More Cars 3 Fun

If you’re looking for some additional fun for a Cars 3 birthday party or the fast track to fun on a summer day, try these activity pages and games:

Cars 3 Piston Cup Race Maze

Cars 3 Spot the Difference

Cars 3 Memory Race

Cars 3 Finish the Race Board Game

Cars 3 Bulletin Board

Teacher friends, revvin’ up for a new school year?  Check out my “Cruz’n into a New Year” bulletin board here.

We are off to the drive-in (yes, they still exist) with our neighborhood this weekend to see Cars 3 again.  This super easy candy bark will be a fun treat to share with our friends while welcoming McQueen back to the top!

Cars 3 is now playing in theaters.  Have you seen it yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!

I received complimentary tickets to a screening of the film to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lightning McQueen is a legend in the racing world.  But legendary is often synonymous with old.  Can he keep up with the new tech heavy race cars, like Jackson Storm?  Cars 3 brings viewers back to the track to watch McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) speed back to the top or speed into retirement.  With the help of a new race technician Cruz (voiced by Cristela Alonzo), McQueen rolls through racing history in search of inspiration.

New Cars

Jackson Storm

From Radiator Springs to the raceway, the cars we know and love have returned for the latest installment in the Cars trilogy.  But there are a couple of new faces to meet.  The villainous new-comer Jackson Storm (voiced by Armie Hammer) is full of speed and full of himself.  Check him out in this video clip:

Cruz Ramirez

Saddled with a reluctant student, Cruz Ramirez is tasked with aiding an aging Lightning McQueen.  Her unconventional training ruffle McQueen.

Without spoiling the plot, it’s Cruz and McQueen’s relationship that inspired to start the 2017-18 school year.  Don’t stress, kids.  We still get to have summer.  But this teacher loved seeing the wisdom being passed and the relationship between trainer and driver.  Plus, having a girl car in a leading role always makes me smile.  Cruz has big dreams, and a team of friends to help her reach them.

This new car is going to be everywhere!  Toy stores, Disneyland, and even my classroom.

Making Cruz went pretty quickly…much quicker than animating her I’m sure.  This leading lady and the Cars theme will appeal to the students in any classroom.

Aside from the movie theater and classroom bulletin boards, there’s another place you can see the newest star in the Cars franchise.  Cruz will be cruising down to Radiator Spring in Disney’s California Adventure park.

We’ve loved being able to see Lightning McQueen and Mater in Cars Land, and Cruz is a welcome addition.  With the new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and now Cruz taking her turn in Radiator Springs, California Adventure is definitely on my summer bucket list.

Also on that list? Rewatching Cars 3 with my family and neighbors at the drive-in.  Cars 3 is now in theaters.  You can tail your favorite Disney Pixar cars on Facebook ,  Twitter  Instagram, YouTube, or on the official website.  CARS 3 is now playing in theatres everywhere!