Long train journey with 20 month old, any ideas?

[sparkymummy]

I'll be on my own with DS and a lot of stuff so need some ideas of things to keep him occupied, pref cheap, that will take up little space and distract him for as long as possible!

Thanks

crayons, colouring in books, sticker books! Lots of snacks.

You need to book a space next to the disabled area so he can still sleep in his buggy if needs be. Get to the station very early, and the info desk will tell you which platfprm the train is on long before it is publicly announced, then the staff on the platform can tell you exactly where to wait for the disabled carriage. Obviously you have to move if a wheelchair user does get on, but most disabled areas accomodate one wheelchair on each side, so you should be OK. Also don't expect people to be mind readers. Most people will have no idea how hard it is travelling with a lo, so if you need someone to move seats, I've found something along the lines of "There are a couple of empty seats next to eachother up there, I don't suppose you'd mind if I stole your seat would you, it's a nightmare trying to find somewhere next to the buggy to sit"............
Be reassured that a long trin journey is 100x more fun and easier than a long car journey. Good luck

I did this last year with my (then) 18 month old. The worst thing was the luggage, take as little as possible! He didn't really play much with the toys I took(cars/duplo etc)and they kept falling down between seats. Small books were the best bet-maybe buy a magazine? Make sure he is fairly hungry and he will spend a lot of time eating.
My friend took a portable dvd player (when she travelled)but I wasn't keen as it seemed a bit small for him to be gazing at for a long time. Take a book/magazine for you when he (hopefully) naps.
There will be a babychange on the train(think it was by the disabled bit-agree with that by the way, lots of room there). Do make sure he doesn't press open button as you are on loo!
Most important double check on the day that the train will not do an unscheduled stop which means you have to take luggage/toddler etc over a bridge and load it into bus,drive 20 miles to next station and have to load it in again -while being told that the porter cannot help as it against health and safety! However in the midst of this choaos DS was an angel!
And remember-it will pass! Good luck

snacks

snacks

snacks

Long train journeys can be ok, but it's the changing trains (tube especially) that is most difficult ime. Travel light! Rucksacks are good.

I travelled from London to Bristol with DS last week and it was a nice modern train with a large area for wheelchair users at the end of the carriage (near the loo). It was great, DS had a bit of space to move around when he got fed up of sitting still (as toddlers are wont to do!)

one of those etch-a-sketch pads with the attachable pen are great. We have just embarked on train and plane journeys, and this came in very useful, kept 21 month old DD occupied for ages. Books are good, I also found that a water bottle with lid on also kept her occupied for hours, for some reason, as did my mobile phone, although it was off!

Agree with disabled space, perhaps you could ask for train assistance, usually for disabled people but those with children can sometimes get help if your seat is booked. This is a porter who will help with your luggage to the carriage and onto the train, and will be able to help get you to right location for seating. We used this, but were told that if someone disabled or less mobile needed it they would get priority, like the seats.

sparky, i was going to post something similar; we are taking my dd(19mo) on a 7+ hour flight next week. we have indulged in a portable dvd player as we travel a lot so think it will eventually be good value! I've also got colouring, a mini magnetic drawing thing, some new books and some old books, some Peppa play figures, a bunch of old keys and loads of food.i'm hoping that all this plus some eating and sleeping will get us through!