Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Long train journey, two lively children - help!!

41 replies

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 07:24

I need to take my two small children on a 10 hour journey on a couple of trains. They are 5 and almost 2 and very energetic!! Last time we were on a train the younger one wasn't able to walk up the aisle because he was too wobbly but I'm really hoping his balance has improved and he can walk up and down a bit. He's huge so I really struggled to carry him with one arm and hold on to something myself to get up the aisle. I will have one other adult with me. Any top tips very much appreciated!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 07:25

Ps it isn't very clear above so I should say the previous journey was a short one - we've never done anything anywhere near this long.

OP posts:

Thursday452poh · 11/06/2019 07:28

Is flying an option?

Theworldcouldbemymollusc · 11/06/2019 07:29

I’ve taken 2 children this age on train journeys on my own before so you will be fine. Just think safety and entertainment. Reigns for the youngest? New magazine/toys/colouring/film on iPad for the journey. Lots of snacks/drinks. Try to book seats with a table for all your stuff. Trains are great for kids the windows are huge and they can look out for cows etc in fields. I’m quite jealous as my kids are older but I used to love doing this!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Mrscog · 11/06/2019 07:30

I think maybe snacks, books, iPads, sticker books etc. Set a timer every 30 mins on your phone so they know each time it goes off they get another activity.

Don’t let them walk up and down the aisles, it’s potentially dangerous and annoying for other passengers.

jackparlabane · 11/06/2019 07:32

Sit near the vestibule and kids can jump up and down there without being in the way of passengers.

NameChange30 · 11/06/2019 07:35

I recently did a long train journey with a 2yo. I'm not going to lie, it was hard work. We prepared a little bag for him with a new sticker book, a few books, small toys and - last minute addition - small pot of play dough. The play dough was the biggest hit. An iPad/tablet is another essential and we used it a couple of times.

We took our small pushchair (the compact, light one we use for travelling) and at one point we managed to strap him into it and get him to sleep. That was the best bit of the journey

TapasForTwo · 11/06/2019 07:40

Agree with a PP. Please don't let him run up and down the aisles. The train jiggles about a lot and there isn't much room. He will massively piss off the other passengers. If he needs to let off steam go the the end of a carriage where the large accessible toilet is as there is plenty of room. He can make as much noise there as he likes without annoying the other passengers.

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 11/06/2019 07:43

Reserve your seats, preferably with a table
Essential.

Yotam · 11/06/2019 08:15

Can you allow time when you change trains to have some active time? Is there a park or indoor play area nearby for example.

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 09:07

Don't worry, I'm not going to let him run up and down between passengers, but I had a problem on the previous journey where I needed to take him to the baby changing several carriages away and really struggled to safely get down the aisle. When we finally got there it was out of order! And then I had to get him all the way back, it was really tricky as he's much too heavy to carry with one arm. We can't stop for any length of time to go to a park as it already takes all day and that's without any delays.... Thank you for the suggestions, we have reserved seats but on one of them there weren't four seats together so we are all scattered - will prob have to stand up I guess as can't have a 2 year old on a seat on his own. That bit is only an hour though. For the other bits I think we are at a table but the reservation booking system was really not very easy to use so I'm not completely certain.

OP posts:

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 09:08

Ps hopefully we will get a window but on short journeys I have sometimes ended up with seats with no window which is quite annoying....

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 11/06/2019 09:16

Could you borrow a toddler carrier to carry him on/off and in the train?

When DS was younger we had an ergo which was invaluable for train journeys.

Branleuse · 11/06/2019 09:22

loads of movies/tv shows downloaded onto a tablet. Overpriced kids magazines. Picnic food and extra money for the buffet as that almost feels like an outing. Colouring books

ComeAndDance · 11/06/2019 09:26

Plenty of snacks, books, iPad, games etc..
Take a seat for the 2 yo, you don’t want them in your knees for the whole journey.
Think about having a seat close to the carriage with the bar and go and do a small trip there for snack a couple of times.
With a bit of luck, they will both sleep for a bit too.

Just seen that you are scattered or unsure about getting a table etc...
Ring the company and have your tickets changed. You can’t have your 2yo or 5yo on their own! And you dint want to spend that time standing up next to them either.

ComeAndDance · 11/06/2019 09:27

Also if you are taking different trains, it will break the journey up and will make it much easier than 10 hours straight in the same train iyswim

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 12:12

Yes I agree, although getting on and off will have its own hassles, it will break it up a bit. I will have my luggage in a big rucksack so a toddler carrier wouldn't work for getting on and off but possibly might be useful for moving around the train. I'd be very surprised if either of them sleep but I suppose you never know. Going to the buffet car is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

OP posts:

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/06/2019 12:15

Can you wear your backpack on your front and carrier on your back? Alternatively, could the other adult take a wheely case then also wear your backpack?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/06/2019 12:16

And yes as above, get confirmed seats all four of you round a table.

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 11/06/2019 12:21

They do gin in cans , I would pack a few of them for yourself. Hopefully with a few gins in you , the trip might be bearable.
Have you an iPad for movies? Make up little containers with snacks ( lots) and some new activity book/ you.
All the best I don’t envy you !

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 11/06/2019 12:22

For the 5yo- eye spy book for train journey. Lots of different things to look out for.

I did several long journeys and my top tip would be splashing out on First Class for the extra space. Only for quiet kids though.

BruceAndNosh · 11/06/2019 12:32

Loads of people suggesting stuff to watch on ipad.
Not many suggesting headphones.
PLEASE take headphones, for you own sanity as much as other passengers

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 13:23

Yes I currently only have one set of kids headphones so need to get another one and a splitter so they can both watch together. I did look at first class but it would have been nearly £1000!!

OP posts:

babysharkah · 11/06/2019 13:27

Electronics and food. Skip meals and dole out snacks. Small ones, that take longer to eat. It will be hard work.

Cant you book table and window seats?

I did a 12 hour flight with three yo DTs and it almost broke me.

Original poster

Danascully2 · 11/06/2019 13:45

12 hour flight with 3 year old twins!!!! That sounds like my idea of hell (no offence to your children!) At least we will be getting on and off a few times....

OP posts:

mazv1953 · 11/06/2019 14:04

We got ours a cheap secondhand DS each and loaded a few films. Godsends

Flip

1 2