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

When my daughter was 3 we bought her a portable DVD player with earphones so she could watch DVD’s quietly on the plane

If possible work travelling to work around the usual nap time. Having a nap in the car, train, plane etc at the regular time can really help. Make sure you have plenty of books, toys etc to keep them amused.

We make a list of things/items they need to keep a lookout for while we travel my children seem to love it

We rarely travel by train, it’s too expensive as a family of six, even with a railcard. I wish it was otherwise, for environmental reasons particularly. I would say for the comfort of fellow passengers the key is to make sure you have plenty of ways to entertain the children.

Several of our children get travel sick in the car (another reason I wish the train was affordable). My top tip is to be always prepared for this - we pack flash wipes, baby wipes, and plenty of already prepared sick bags (double layers of robust carrier bags).

Be prepared for the worst! Recently DD was sick all over herself and me ten minutes into a plane journey, luckily I had baby wipes on hand and a spare change of clothes for her. I sat stinking of sick while she looked and smelt lovely afterwards, Id packed a toy that she doesn't often see (only in crisis) so it was a novelty to her and kept her entertained for the duration

Involve them, don't ignore them. Play games based on the first one to spot a cow or a particular registration number, etc. Let them have their toys in the back. Play music. And don't ask them if they're feeling ill, or they will be! I don't think ours ever were, anyway.

Definitely plan ahead if you can and take colouring books and comics if it's going to be a long journey.

plan for everykind of disaster, change of clothss, nappies, cleaning.

treat it like a military exercise!!!!!

We always pack satsumas, bananas and bottles of water for snacks en route. We have a CD of sing along songs they love and we play games like I Spy. Must admit they usually fall asleep on long journeys, so don't need a lot of entertaining!

Always take packed lunch and paper to clean up the mess on their hands , avoiding contamination

Always have a few small inexpensive toys (pound shop toys are ideal) that kids have never seen before and present them one at a time ideally wrapped in tissue to keep them amused throughout the journey,

We always took a picnic, never bought food or drink out. We kept the kids entertained with games of I-spy and audio books borrowed from the library.

I prefer travelling by train, if the place/person I am going to visit is easily accessible by train. Everyone can go to the toilet when they want, I can hand out snacks, play games, don’t arrive exhausted.... in my experience train delays don’t outweigh roadworks/accidents/snarked up motorways.

packed lunches, snacks and activities to keep them entertained.

toys they havenet played with for a while, or plasticine, kept mine amused for the whole flight to florida

When we travel i always take a little basket for in the middle seat of the var, this is full of some healthy snacks and little toys/games. When we travel by plane I take the kids to a pound shop and they can choose a few items that they pack in their bags and have once on the plane. My daughter chose a pack of cards, a dot to dot book and a sticker set. My son chose a toy car, a felt picture making set and some colouring sets. They get excited about finally using their new things and keeps them occupied. I also have snacks or food if travelling over lunch time.

A tablet loaded with games and videos is our best friend for travelling in the UK and on planes. Colouring books etc are great to but nothing grabs a childs attention more than a tablet. Not ideal for all the time but a lifesaver when travelling (and when eating out).

Essential to bring games to keep the little ones amused - ideally an ipad or at least a book to read and some puzzle books, plus treats

Plenty of snacks and a couple of pads of paper and pencils normally does us. We play games (i-spy, hang man, guess which pokemon I am etc) and do some drawing.

Preparation is a good investment! If you can take food, drinks, spare clothes and activities with you then you can keep the costs down and be ready for anything. Also over time it becomes a habit and is easier and more organised!

Take plenty of small snacks along with music and story tapes for the journey in the car. Keep a surprise ‘up your sleeve’ for when the boredom really starts! Be prepared to make plenty of breaks where they can let off steam and energy.

Be prepared. You just know they are going to be bored within 5 minutes so make sure to bring plenty to distract them. Movies on tablets are always good as are colouring books and games such as I spy. Also bring food and don’t forget baby wipes for dirty hands.

Get them involved with maps, route planning, time tables, hotel choices.

I always take activity books, plenty of snacks and wet wipes to clean up any mess.

We always take a bag with drinks, snacks, sweets, magazines and colouring and it keeps them quiet for hours.