2hr train journey with 5yo, any tips?

[plipplops]

I'm taking DD to London on Thurs for the day. It's by a long way the longest train journey she's ever done (only about 20 mins previously) and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to entertain her? I don't want to take anything heavy as I'll have to carry it all day, and we're getting the train home half an hour after her bedtime so she'll be completely hanging, so any tips on helping her maybe sleep then? I've got an iphone which I don't really like her playing with but will make an exception if there's a really good game or something that might help...

Would really appreciate any thoughts, thanks

I think you are overthinking this one-iphone, bag of crisps or picnic, some paper pens, a few books that take a while to read - if all else fails walk up and down the train a bit - it will be fine.

If she is tired she will sleep in the buggy - yoi may need to stand at the doors though

I'd start by not worrying about it. We have done journeys longer than that just as entertainment without going anywhere! Ds likes trains so we've done quite a few preserved railway round trips of that sort of length. A few sweets and a notepad and pen (trainspotter style!) has always been enough to amuse him.

I'd start by not worrying about it. We have done journeys longer than that just as entertainment without going anywhere! Ds likes trains so we've done quite a few preserved railway round trips of that sort of length. A few sweets and a notepad and pen (trainspotter style!) has always been enough to amuse him.

I would take her somewhere she can run around for half an hour first so she is happier to sit down. What about a magazine? You can dump it at the end of the journey so you don't have to carry it. Snacks are good.

Thanks everyone. She's 5 so won't have a buggy or anything but I'm hoping if she's tired she'll just nod off in a chair. Will probably get one of those crappy overpriced kids magazines (REALLY hate them but it'll keep her occupied for a bit!) Incidentally she's a very short five so I'm gambling on her not having a ticket, have bought mine and was just going to hand that over in a confident sort of way, any experience of that type of thing?? x

I took DD1 on a train journey of that length when she was 4. It was the first time she had spent much time on a train - other than a short journey during which she decided she didn't like tunnels!

Second the magazine/comic - take crayons/pencil and you can work through the workbook and puzzles. Snacks are useful to overcome boredom/pass the time.

I really logged in though because you said you had not bought her a ticket. DD1 didn't need a ticket, being only 4, but that does mean that she was not entitled to a seat. I had a reserved seat but she had to sit on my lap - just something for you to consider.

Actually, she did sit by herself for a lot of the way as train started off quite empty; however, when it filled up with football supporters we were surrounded (although they were lovely and actually one of them stood (with his mates) and let DD1 have his seat next to me. if I was doing it again, I would spend the money on her ticket!

Hope the journey - and the day in London - go well for you both.

My Dd just read - take a book? And pencil and paper for drawing/ noughts and crosses etc.

It will be really easy OP. I've been doing 2hr train journeys with DD since she was a newborn & now she's 4 it is a dream. Paper, crayons, a book to read to her. Have a little trip to the buffet car to get a snack/coffee. Some trains (Virgin, Great Western) do activity bags for kids for free, altho they are not always in stock. I-spy.

I agree about not having a seat - done now, but for future reference it's cheaper to buy a ticket for an adult & one for a child than just an adult ticket if you use a Family&Friends railcard. I have been buying DD a seat since a 4hr journey where she had to sit on my pregnant lap the whole time.