To not understand how a railcard works

[Ohioatdawn]

Go easy on me because I sometimes have difficulty understanding things properly.
I'm trying to find a cheaper way to travel by train for our family of 4 so I'm looking in to buying a family and friends railcard.
We are 2 adults + 2 DC both school age.
Railcard says it gives a 60% discount to kids fares, and 1/3 off of adult fares.
So I've just gone online to National Rail and done a search for cost of tickets without a railcard compared to the cost with railcard.
The journey I have put in for 2 adults + 2 kids on the date selected is £78 with no railcard.
The same journey/same date is £61 with a family & friends railcard (there is an option for clicking 'add railcard').
£17 cheaper with the family railcard.
£17 discount is alright I suppose, but to my mind that is not 1/3 off of 2 adult tickets plus 60% off of the 2 DC tickets.
Please help if anyone is experienced with this - why is the website saying 1/3 off of adult fares and 60% off of kids fares with a family railcard but then only deducting £17 for all 4 of us?
Non peak time travel, I should add.

On Trainline it came up as around £54 day return this Saturday or £40ish with a Railcard.

It's actually ridiculous how fares vary depending on where / how you buy them

Most discounts won’t apply before 9.30 in the morning. You do have to jiggle about with times…

Not on weekends.
Time restrictions don't exist on weekends.

Came here to say this!

I have a Disabled Railcard and I set aside a chunk of my Clubcard points every year for it.

This thread has opened up a whole new world to me!
I didn't know you could go on to different train websites and get different prices on each of them for the same trip!
I have now found out that I can get to London for a cheaper rail fare using some sites rather than others. I did not know this!
I have only ever used the National Rail site before!
I've been playing around with different sites, Southern Rail, Midland Mainline, Trainline, etc. and it looks like the railcard deducts different amounts depending on which website it is. I've now managed to find a fare for £45 for the 4 of us for this Sunday, compared to £78 when I started looking earlier this morning!
@Whoarethoseguys I can't manage to find the £17 deal you have found, that really would be amazing!
So my trip is Lewes to London Victoria depart Lewes 9am and depart Victoria 7pm this Sunday.
I also didn't know I could buy a railcard using Tesco clubcard points, so thank you for that too @AlleeBee and @amusedbush !
We have to budget for everything as we are not a high income family but I don't want that to be a barrier to showing my DC the wonderful culture and history that London offers.
Thank you everyone who has helped me with this!🙏
Next up - any tips for a cheap family meal whilst in central London?! Or is that asking too much!😂

@Ohioatdawn enjoy your trip 🙂
I generally use the website for the train company that uses the route I need (so for Lewes that's Southern Rail).
I find that's usually the best way.

@Ohioatdawn this Sunday is Easter Sunday though.
Most places might be closed.

Also worth asking at your local train ticket office. The staff may be able to find a cheaper fare than going online.

Having a railcard gives you all sorts of discounts to tourist attractions etc (not restaurants unfortunately) but saving on entrance fees might free up funds for eating🙂. Last time I went to London we got 2 for the price of 1 tickets on the London Eye, river cruise etc. You can book in advance via this site
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/days-out-guide/2for1-london/

Ah sorry didn’t realise it was a weekend ticket