Travelling with children; what are your tips? Share them with South Western Railway

[EllieMumsnet]

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We all know that travelling on family days out with children are not always the cheapest of experiences. However they can provide great family bonding and memories that will last a lifetime and just as importantly don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket every time. With that being said South Western Railway want your top tips for travelling with children, especially your best money saving tips!

Here’s what South Western Railway have to say: “If you’re savvy at looking out for great family deals then sign up to receive our customer newsletters. You’ll receive exclusive offers and inspiration on where to visit on the network, helping you to plan a fun family day out.”

Do you ensure you bring pack lunches and snacks for the whole family so you don't have to spend anything on food? Perhaps you like to bring along extended family or friends? Do you bring lots of fun games to use as distractions if and when needed on the journey? How do you decide where to go if you have children of different ages?

Whatever your tips are for travelling with children and saving money on family days out, share them on the thread below and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

always bring food and make it picnic style so its part of an event that takes time and destratcion.pack in Tupperwares.snacks too.
allow a magazine or colouring book to be bought for it.or print some off if we have time from online.
for short travels or when you nearing destination let them know where your getting off so they 1)stop asking when are we there and can be looking for the signs.and 2)gets them preppered and ready hwen needing to be off.
always start getting ready a couple of stops before hand.they have faffing down to an artform and it takes longer than you think.
go to the toilet before hand.
games like how many cows on the way.i spy.carfs.
try and get a seat with a table.

For train travel of any distance, buy a family railcard to save money, and buy a ticket for any toddlers (even though they don't need one) so that when you book in advance they get a seat and you don't have to have them on your knee for the whole trip.

I really appreciate the train companies that let you choose your seats when you book, so you can make sure you get a table, preferably not too far from the toilet!

You mean apart from don’t?!
I always have plenty of snacks with me, they get a small budget to buy sweets/other crap from the trolley and for long journeys/flights they get a bag with a few little toys - blind bags are very popular, small colouring book and pens, lollipop or whatever. That keeps them entertained for a bit!

Snacks and books!

We play funny man game on the train - like consequences with pictures. When they were tiny, stickers were always good - to stick on each other and on paper.

To save money when you get there, 2 for 1 tickets with days out guide valid with your rail ticket. Also, make the kids get Blue Peter Badges! They get in loads of places for free. And always remember that even if you can't be arsed to make a packed lunch in the morning it is never a better idea to eat out! So much more expensive, and less fun too.

Plentiful snacks, colouring, activity books and toys!

We take a packed lunch with us & lots of other snacky bits & sweet treats! We try to do as many activities as we can that aren't screen based so we have it as a last resort if needed!
Sticker books are great - especially the sticker mosaic style ones. The classic games - I spy, hangman & noughts & crosses are good too. Our son can also pick a new book or magazine for the journey.
I like the idea of audiobooks suggested by another mumsnetter so will look into that for the next train trip!

Definitely take the train! So much easier to entertain kids on long journeys, no need for toilet stops either. If possible go first class too, the extra room makes all the difference.

Family and Friends railcard helps keep costs down. Love train travel. Children expect a packed lunch, even if a shortish journey. And we take books, paper for games, Uno or some such. Great fun.

Lots of wee snacks are a must. I dont mind buying a lolly, ice cream or sweets when out but it makes the day so much easier if you have brought the bulk of the food. I also love my waterproof backed travel rug. Activity books, bug boxes , binoculars or even just a toy are a great distraction. We also make up play lists for long journeys.

Make sure you take a few books that the children love, not any that make noise though as they can be very annoying for other passengers. Snacks a plenty too, water, wet wipes and a change of clothes especially if you have toddlers!

We always take food and drinks with us as it's much cheaper, and plenty for the children to do... comics, crayons, little toys, and if necessary, they can watch something on our phones. I also still take a change of clothes and travel potty for the little one.

Pay for tickets in advance online whether it's train or attractions. Use family saver railcard to cut costs. Look for deals on apps such as wowcher or Groupon for cheap deals especially during holiday times. If travelling with younger kids/toddlers who may need a nap, a smaller pram that can allow the child to sleep is a must or for times when little one gets tired. Knowing where the nearest toilets are or download the map app to help with directions. Change of clothes, packed food and distractions (tablets, games, activity books) must.

have a meal during the journey . get them involved in packing toys etc to entertain them

I always go to store and buy little knick knacks you would either put in a party bag or stocking. Bubbles, mini playmobil blind bags, stickers drawing activity books. Keeps the kids entertained. Snacks that last mini fruit bags, string cheese water bottles mini boxes of pringles, lunchables favourite candy. Again things they would normally eat. Travel cushion to keep them cosy, sunglasses so they look out the window when it's to sunny, play games take a pack of cards mini magnet games to not loose the pieces. Charger the tablet loaded with music and movies. Portable charger spare headphones. Space all of these out so if they get bored give them a new toy or snack or play a game. Make sure they have a nap. Get up to stretch legs once you stop for a bathroom break or food it will recharge the kids. All of these tricks really work. Tried and tester

Travel is so important to me, it brightens your day, making yourself go out improves your mental and physical health, so I have invested in a Network Railcard, it gives me up to 1/3 off the following ticket types for travel in the Network, which means we get out and about, even had on journeys to the Isle of Wight. My tips for travel are notebooks to write down the date, and where we have been with memories of the day. I take a rucksack with drinks, sandwiches and fromage frais tubes. On a cold day, I have taken a flask of boiling water, and some pot noodles, which we love on the train.

Always take snack and drinks with you.
Always have wet wipes and a change of clothes.
Make sure you phone is fully charged just in case you need to put on some kiddie rubbish on for your kids to watch while your on your journey.
washable crayons and paper too if you have enough space. ..
Also be prepared for people tutting and commenting on your parenting skills, I suggest maybe tattooing “sorry” on your forehead, as your bound to get someone saying that they never acted like that in “their day” and that parents are not strict enough with children.
😉😂

We have started to take lunch/drinks etc with us as eating food on the go can be so expensive! We always look for deals on days out (joining the National Trust has proved brilliant value!). On any journey we tend to play counting games - our 7 year old loves bridges so either in the car or by train we count/spot bridges and tunnels. I usually carry pocket activity books and an iPad in my bag for entertainment purposes!

I will go to the £1 shop and pick a selection of new toys (usually animals then we can add them to our zoo at home). Sticker books, crayons and a note pad and this entertains them for an hour or so, we play eye spy, which is fun, and does not take up any room in your backpack. My best tip would be buy your tickets as quickly as you can and reserve your seats with a table - without this - the journey is 10 time more difficult. Make sure they have gone for a wee before we board, and take a large square lunch box full of goodies, sandwiches, cheese squares/triangle, raising, juice and in the past I have downloaded an audio book, which went down a storm

Snacks and packed lunch as necessary. Sticker/activity books Or something to read. Fortunately mine love the train.

A pack of cards! Or UNO. Versatile, keeps all ages busy and not too heavy to lug around...

I always bring packed lunches and a hefty supply of snacks. Mini colouring sets (I save the ones they get in party bags for this reason) and tablets with headphones. I usually stash some of the smaller presents they've received from big birthdays (only if they've had a big party, I'm not made of stone) and bring them out when we are travelling for the novelty factor. My two are quite close in age but have very different interests and temperaments so I have to have enough to keep both entertained.

Snacks snacks and more snacks!
iPad fully charged
Power bank fully charged
Hope for the best 😬😂

Simple answer. I just dont take them. They, almost always, kick me in the skull when I drive and are good as gold when the father drives so I dont take them. I leave them in the house with the pitbull.

Pre-freeze a soaked wet, flat sponge in a sandwich bag.

1. Use as ice pack for packed lunches.
2. Then use to clean mucky hands and faces.

Also:
Clearly state your behaviour expectations before you board the train and then again as necessary during. Also don't underestimate what you think of as "cute", as being "interminably annoying" to the people around you.