Traveling by train with children from A to Z - how to choose a place, what to take with you, what to do with your child on the road. How to entertain a child on the train What to take your child on the train

06.06.2024

The long-awaited spring has already arrived, which means that summer is coming - time for vacations, time for travel. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to travel by private car; they have to travel a long distance by train. This in itself is tiring, especially in the heat, and even with a baby! I had the experience of traveling on a train with a child, and I hasten to share it with you!

Every mother probably clutches her head while packing her bags for the trip. I don’t want to forget anything, I want to take into account all possible situations. There are a lot of questions in my head: what is there? what drink? what to take from medicines?...

I will try to answer these questions based on personal experience, and if I missed something, please add it in the comments.

What should a child take to eat on the train?

In hot weather, you need to be very careful with food! Especially when it comes to baby food.

If you are breastfeeding, then believe me, you are very lucky! After all, breast milk is 100% likely to be fresh, at the right temperature, the right taste and smell, and in the right quantity.

If you are bottle-fed, stock up on dry adapted formulas; you should not take milk with you on the train.

Children's instant porridges are very convenient for travel.

Also stock up on food items for quick snacks. These can be fruits (apples, bananas...), children's cookies, crackers, dryers.

What should a child take to drink on the train?

How to entertain a child on the train?

Leisure time for a one-year-old child on a train is a separate issue, especially if the trip occurs in the first half of the day.

Here, clothespins are ideal as toys. What can't you do with them? I described in more detail earlier how we play with clothespins.

Don't forget to take books on the train as well.

Mom and dad’s smartphones/tablets, which have various applications for kids installed, come in very handy.

And for a snack, in case the baby becomes completely bored, save something new that the baby has not seen before. It doesn't have to be a new toy! For example, I found my old cosmetic bag and threw in all sorts of different treasures that were completely unnecessary for mom, but so interesting and intriguing for the baby.

You should not take loud musical toys with you: you are not alone on the train. If you are already accustomed to them, this does not mean that your neighbors will react to them just as calmly.

Travel first aid kit

Thermometer. It is better to take an electronic one: although it is not as accurate as mercury, it is nevertheless safer.
Antipyretics. Antipyretics must be taken in two types: in suppositories and in the form of syrup. For example, Paracetomol suppositories and Ibuprofen syrup.
Antihistamines. I took Fenistil drops and Fenistil gel.
Gastrointestinal remedies. Smecta is an excellent absorbent. Take at least 4 sachets.
Nasal drops. Nazivin or Vibrocil are vasoconstrictors. And, of course, something for rinsing the nose: saline solution, Aquamaris, Humer. You should also have an aspirator in your first aid kit so that, if necessary, you can free your nose from accumulated mucus.
Don't forget about possible cuts and abrasions. Peroxide, brilliant green, bandage, cotton wool, adhesive plaster.
For the throat. Lisobact tablets.
For the care of delicate skin. Bepanten, Sudocrem. Don't forget to grab Panthenol.

What should I wear for my child on the train?

Clothes for the train should be made from natural fabrics, light and comfortable. Be sure to stock up on replacement T-shirts: the baby may sweat, and our trains, as you know, are constantly drafty.

Personal care products

Stock up on wet wipes. You will need them during diaper changes and to wipe everything around that your baby can reach. Of course, they won’t kill all microbes, but, you see, it’s somehow calmer.

I regretted that I did not take Styrillium on the road, it would have been very useful to me.

I hope you don't forget anything important! Have a happy and healthy journey!

Train trips vary in duration, but most often on the way the child at least needs to be fed or put to bed, or at least just find something he likes. However, before boarding the train, you still need to choose the travel time, the type of carriage and decide whether the child needs a separate seat. Of course, it’s not always possible to do all this, but it’s worth a try.

Choosing a time to travel with a child by train

If departure dates and times cannot be changed, then you should not even think about it. Likewise, if the trip is long and in any case includes sleep and active wakefulness. If you have to travel by train for half a day, and there is not the only train in the desired direction, then there is something to think about so that this journey brings you and your child the least amount of trouble and the most positive emotions. Consider when your child sleeps and whether he will sleep on the train. If this is your first trip, then imagine different options. Some children have difficulty falling asleep, so it is better to avoid daytime or nighttime sleep on the train. For other children, everything is fine with sleep, then for parents it is simply ideal that the train travel time coincides with this period. Each time of day has its own advantages and only you know them, so all you have to do is find them and use them skillfully.

We choose the type of carriage that will be comfortable for both children and parents

It is clear that the main parameter is often price, although not always. Many people prefer a reserved seat carriage, because sociable children and restless ones are more likely to find company there. In addition, it is believed that the reserved seat has more space and freedom for children, and there are no problems with automatic air conditioning. Personally, I find it much more convenient to travel with a child in a compartment. Many parents, traveling together, buy all 4 seats, even if there is only one child (we do exactly that). I think the advantages of a separate room are clear to everyone, but this type of carriage actually has its disadvantages for children. Be that as it may, doors are doors, and they limit the space, and all the passengers are not visible. In the reserved seat you can climb the aisles and the upper shelves. Moreover, if a child ends up on someone else’s territory, he may be accepted into the company, or you will quickly find out that he is not welcome there. You can also make rooms out of sheets, which is not so interesting in a compartment, and there is no point. And, of course, the entire carriage gets to know the active little passengers, and the children themselves easily find each other. As a result, the compartment is more suitable for calm kids who do not yet climb on their own or who by nature can calmly play quiet games. Also, if the child has to sleep on the train more than he will be awake, then the compartment also seems more attractive to me. In any case, try to take into account your child’s wishes when choosing a carriage, and then the trip will be a pleasure for the whole family.

I really want to tell you about the air conditioning in the compartment. The fact is that so far in my practice I have encountered only one option, when it turns on automatically throughout the entire car and cannot be adjusted. If this happens during the day, then there are no particular difficulties, because the doors are open and the air is mixed. In addition, you can get dressed, change location, and you don’t have to be on the top shelves. But at night, as happened in our case, this is a very unpleasant moment. A strong stream of cold air comes from the ceiling, and one can only sympathize with those on the upper shelves. Downstairs is somewhat better, but over time the small room quickly cools and additional blankets are used. It turned out that when the child fell asleep, it was hot, but in the end it became very cold, not to mention the flow of cold air that did not stop all night. Attempts to ask to turn it off were unsuccessful, since in other compartments at 12 at night many were still awake, communicating and feeling hot - after all, their doors were open. They were in the clear majority, since we were the only ones sleeping. According to them, they cannot turn it off for individual compartments, so we had to get out. In any case, I would highly recommend having a light hat for your child with you - it will be useful not only on the train in such a situation, but may also come in handy on the plane. The time of year, in my opinion, does not matter in this case, because now we encountered this in February and it was still frosty outside, and in the summer months the air conditioners in the compartment are turned on very often.

It remains to add that on trains there are carriages and compartments for disabled people, which seem to me very convenient for traveling with a child. I doubt that you can get into this compartment itself without the appropriate documents, but you can find out if they are free. In any case, such a carriage is more attractive for children. There are wide corridors and large toilets, which is already convenient. The compartment itself has more space and only two shelves, one of which is wider than usual, which will make it more comfortable to sleep with the baby, if necessary. Another point is that the adjacent compartment should also be a two-seater, but just with the usual contents. It remains to find out what these places are. Similar compartments are also found in ordinary carriages. At the end of 2008, they promised that carriages for disabled people would appear on routes from St. Petersburg to Moscow, Helsinki, Adler and Murmansk, so find out.

Train ride with children video

Tita Ku 01.12 11:16

And this article took me back to the past! When our son was 9 months old, we went from Crimea to Omsk - to my parents! Three days in a compartment, can you imagine???? how they tried to dissuade us, how they frightened us, but I stood my ground. We took the entire compartment and off we went! By the way, my son was born in 1992, then we still didn’t know what diapers were! A lace along the diagonals of the compartment, clothespins - and nothing! Everything is fine! By that time, Yura was already sitting on the potty, and there were minimal problems with this matter. We ate “porridge” made from cookies - the most harmless product, for the first day we took milk, and then drank sour milk - our baby loved it very much... It was a long time ago, but I don’t remember anything overshadowing our such long annual trips. Then the daughter was born - already with two babies! So, do not be afraid, dear parents! The main thing is no experiments on the road, and be prepared that the journey is no easier for the baby than for you. Remember this. Be patient and tolerant. Happy Travel!

Oh, these kids with their endless energy! We adults are always surprised: “How can you jump, run, ride a bike all day and not get tired?” But the real headache comes when you need to go somewhere with the kids, and at the same time you don’t know what to do with the children on the train.

Packing things

Before you go on a long trip with children, you need to think through everything down to the smallest detail. First of all, think about what the child will do. I present to you a few recommendations on the road.

Pencils, markers, colored pens

These accessories will keep your baby occupied for a while, and if you also buy a new coloring book with his favorite cartoon characters, then you will be guaranteed peace for several hours.

Books

Books can be divided into two categories: educational and fairy tales. Take the fairy tale books that your baby loves to listen to at home. After reading the fairy tale, you can discuss and ask your child which hero is good and which is evil. Educational books nowadays are full of variety in stores. If your baby doesn’t yet know the names of flowers, animals, birds, then this direction. When your child is five or six years old, take a book that teaches children letters and reading in a playful way. Of course, with such books the baby himself will not be interested, and here you will have to work with the child. But think correctly: at home, in worries and troubles, there is often no time to work with the child, but here there is plenty of time, and the baby is not bored.

Ball

Take a small ball, it will definitely come in handy. There are always other kids on the train who are also bored, get to know them and invite them to play ball. This way, you will also save other parents from the problem of how to keep their children occupied on the train.

Plasticine

Kids are always interested in different figures, and if you also join such an exciting activity, it will be doubly interesting.

Constructor

If your child likes to design various objects, take him a construction set. It's better if it's new.

Air balloons

When you think about what to do with children on the train, think about balloons. All children love to play with them. Buy balls of different shapes and colors. You can simply play with them, throwing them to each other, or you can draw different faces on the balls with felt-tip pens.

Bubble

They will amuse not only your child, but also all the children in the carriage.

Player

A tablet or player with recordings of his favorite cartoons will come in handy at a time when you cannot devote time to your baby.

Puzzles

Basically, when it comes to what to do with a child on the train, puzzles can be a way out. They are compact and light in weight, which is valuable when packing bags for travel.

Wheelchairs for children

Is your baby between one and five years old? Be sure to take a toy with you - a gurney. It's better if it's musical. Don’t worry about your neighbors, let your child play rather than rage and cry, thereby irritating fellow travelers even more.

Advice

When packing your bags, it is better to put the toys in a separate bag or bag, since you will need them before you board the train. If the bag is not heavy, let your baby carry it.

Children are cunning creatures

Children very quickly understand the boundaries of what is permitted. When you are among strangers, it is difficult to explain anything to a child or punish him for a bad deed. They become uncontrollable. Therefore, think about how and what to keep your children occupied on the train so that the trip does not turn into a long and painful nightmare.

All mothers know that only babies who sleep soundly behave ideally on the road. Most passengers treat children's whims with understanding. However, as practice shows, parents rarely manage to avoid negative comments addressed to them. In order not to waste your nerves and get the most out of the trip, parents should think in advance about how to organize and what to do with their child during the flight. Of course, all kids are different. They are different in age, in temperament, and in their interests. We bring to your attention 45 ideas for keeping your child occupied while traveling on a plane, train, or car.

Traveling with a child on a plane: 15 games and activities for children during the flight

15 Fun Activities and Games for Kids on a Plane

The first entertainment that will clearly interest any child is getting to know a new space. Tell your child about the plane, show and let him touch everything that surrounds the little passenger. After takeoff, you can walk your child around the cabin, telling him where the pilots are sitting, what the flight attendant is doing, etc. Thus, you will not only distract the child, but also allow him to get used to the new territory.
Now you might be surprised, but food can be a great entertainment on a plane. Of course, a child cannot chew something the entire flight. But for some time, puree in a beautiful jar can distract him. Passengers with children are allowed to take liquids into the aircraft cabin - juices, water, mixtures. You can also bring fruits and dried fruits on board. Parents of older children can take with them a pair of Chupa Chups, which will be very helpful during takeoff when their ears are blocked. Children under one year old, as a rule, do not experience such problems.
Prepare little surprises for your child that children simply adore. However, they need to be taken out and presented to the child gradually. For example, first you take out a drawing or coloring set from your bag. Of course, along with pencils. For half an hour, or even an hour, little artists will definitely not bother anyone. Detailed and simple picture-instructions for drawing animals will help parents quickly teach their children to draw a bear, tiger, turtle and other representatives of the animal world.
Then you can take out a treasure box from your bag, which will contain small funny things, such as a bracelet, a ring, beads or construction toys from Kinder Surprises. You only need to take a plastic container with a toy on the plane; it’s better to leave the chocolate egg at home. Kinder surprise toys can interest not only children, but also adults.
Remember, in Soviet times there was a slogan: “the best gift is a book.” Take a couple of small but interesting books with you on the plane. A new book with bright pictures will definitely captivate your child for a while.
A simple piece of paper in a confined space can also be great fun. Show your child how to make an airplane out of paper. Fly on an airplane and “design” the airplane yourself. By the way, the finished paper airplane can be painted.
Finger toys will help entertain, distract and keep a child interested for a long time. With them you can stage a whole performance, inventing all sorts of stories on the go (or rather on the fly).
Some airlines give little travelers special kits that include puzzles and puzzles.
It is much easier to captivate teenagers; they will be happy to watch a film from the air cinema repertoire, play games on a tablet, listen to music, etc.
When purchasing toys for travel, pay attention to the Oogie men, who have suction cups on their arms, legs and head. As a rule, children play with these toys with pleasure.
You can buy an army of soldiers and have a real battle on a folding table. The main thing is that the baby does not see these toys in advance.
Don't forget to take your child's favorite toy with you on your trip. He will feel more confident with her.
A massage can be great fun. To do this, parents need to purchase a Su-Jok ring massager at the pharmacy. This ball is very useful for the development of baby's speech. It's inexpensive, and the kids really like it.
Many children love all kinds of stickers, so it’s worth purchasing a special book for them in advance, in which small stickers are glued.
And, of course, any child will be distracted for some time by a tablet with cartoons.

Traveling on a plane with a child is problematic, because flights can be quite long, and you can’t go out for a walk (for obvious reasons). Parents should think through and prepare for such a trip in advance.

What to do with toddlers and older children on the train: interesting ideas

What should parents do to prevent their child from getting bored on the train? How to prevent aimless walking along the corridor of the carriage, endless whining, causing irritation among neighbors in the compartment? Of course, a long road tires even adults, what can we say about children with their inexhaustible energy? If you are planning to travel by train with a child, you also need to carefully prepare for it.

15 ideas for activities with your child while traveling by train

Once in the compartment, sit your child by the window and tell him about the railroad. After the train has started, spend some time with your baby and look out the window with him.

Write interesting stories about people living in houses, about different animals that live in the forest that you pass by. The baby will become interested, and for some time he will be happy to look at the landscapes outside the window.

When he gets tired of sitting in one place, give him a tour of the carriage. Perhaps your child will find himself a travel companion, and he will not be so bored with the long journey.
Colored pencils, markers and a sketchbook - these supplies will also distract your child for a while. Ask him to draw a train, railroad, houses, forest, etc.
Books have always been indispensable assistants on the road. Read to him or let him look at the bright pictures in baby books.
Take the alphabet with you and start learning letters. At home, as a rule, there is not enough time for such activities.
According to many mothers, finger toys will be an indispensable attribute on any trip. You can put on a real performance with them. Children will be happy to take part in it directly.
With older children you can play board games and put together puzzles.
Entertaining games of “Words” or “Cities” will captivate your child for a long time. Each word must begin with the letter that ends with the previous one. For example, car - antenna - bus - plane, etc. Cities: Moscow - Anapa - Astrakhan - Norilsk, etc. Of course, the choice of game depends on the age of your child.
Older children willingly solve riddles. Therefore, they can buy special books. Teenagers enjoy solving puzzles and crosswords.
Teenagers enjoy playing Monopoly. This economic game perfectly develops logical thinking.
Battleship - an old but very exciting game will also help you pass the time on the train.
Kids can buy new toys for the trip - small prefabricated cars, soldiers, a fortress that needs to be assembled.
And if a mother takes colored paper, scissors, glue with her on the road and is patient, then her child will diligently cut and glue.
Having a DVD player with a screen will be a great salvation for parents. All children, without exception, love cartoons. Many children are delighted with good cartoons, cars, etc.
If your child meets other children on the train, then the “watch” of entertainment can be shared with another mother. An hour you entertain the children in your compartment, an hour she.

What to do with children on the road by car: 15 ways

A long trip in a car can greatly tire little fidgets, because their movement is limited, they cannot run and frolic. What can they do? Of course, be mischievous and capricious.

How to travel by car with children: advice from doctors

According to psychologists, traveling in a car for children from 1.5 to 3 years old can become real stress. At this age, it is difficult for children to be tied to a chair for a long time. Therefore, doctors recommend stopping every 2 hours and giving the baby the opportunity to move around and take a walk.

Children over 3 years old, as a rule, willingly travel in a car; for them it is an interesting adventure. And yet, after looking out the window for a while, they also demand attention and entertainment. How can you entertain a child in the car?

15 ways to make car travel fun for your child

Despite the popular belief about the dangers of tablets, psychologists do not see anything wrong with such entertainment. It all depends on the games, cartoons, films chosen correctly by the parents and the time that the child will sit with his nose buried in the tablet. Doctors recommend that children under three years old be given a viewing limit of 20 minutes a day. For older children, no more than one and a half hours a day.
An audiobook can be a great entertainment for children.
Small children can listen to songs, children after three years old perfectly perceive radio fairy tales.
Teenagers willingly listen to audio plays and audio books.
Kids love hanging toys in the car.
Small children play with soft toys for a long time.
Children over three years old eagerly look at picture books.
You can entertain your child in the car by playing interactive games with him. For example: “who will be the first to see a yellow car, a cyclist, a red house, etc.” The child can be given the task of counting roadside poles or monitoring the appearance of traffic jams.
With teenagers, you can study car brands. As practice shows, they are delighted with such interactive activities.
Word games can also be a great activity to do in the car.
You can organize a competition for the most interesting story about a car trip.
The forgotten Rubik's Cube will become a lifesaver for travelers.
You can also draw in the car. Of course, it will be quite difficult for a child to draw something, but he will easily draw a “squiggle”. Mom’s goal is to create an artistic masterpiece from this “squiggle.”
A performance performed using finger puppets will also distract the child for a long time.
If several children are traveling in the car at once, then you can take turns composing a fairy tale. The first child says one sentence, the second continues the story, etc. This fairytale therapy will relieve stress and calm you down.

The road will become an interesting adventure for the child if the parents take the time to communicate with him and think in advance about how to spend the time on the road interestingly and usefully. Dear parents, cherish every minute spent with your children. They grow so fast!

All we can do is wish you a happy journey!

What does an adult do during a long journey? The train is good, comfortable and warm, there are shelves for sleeping, hot water and a table. There are other people - fellow travelers. So adults solve the problem simply: they sleep, then read books or communicate with each other. What to do with a 4 year old child on the train? You can’t give him a book; for example, children don’t know how to play with cards. Okay, there will also be children among the traveling companions; it’s not boring together. But what to do in other situations?

Games for a 4 year old child on a train

A far-sighted parent, when packing for the trip, will take a children's backpack with toys, books, coloring books, sheets of paper and pencils for the little passenger. Various musical singing toys, CDs with children's songs. Recently they have been releasing a PSP with different games or just a tablet. Of course, electronics are harmful and you shouldn’t fascinate your child often with a bright screen. But on the road, all means are good!

Favorite toy

Does your child have a favorite – his favorite toy? Take it with you when you are tired of entertaining your child, let him play like this. He shows her the landscapes outside the window, talks, and sleeps in his arms at night.

All day long rubbish

Your child is fascinated by your gadgets, buy him a toy phone and let him talk to someone about different topics. Give me some hints sometimes. “Call grandma, find out how she’s doing...” or “Call Aunt Anya, tell her where we’re going, what we’ll see her soon.” This will take a while for a sociable baby.

Kaleidoscope

Take a kaleidoscope with you and take turns looking out the window or just around. Come up with names for colors and patterns. This develops the child’s imagination, and will help him look from the other side.

Suitcase

How and what to do with a child (4 years old) on the train? Memory training game!

How to play. You start: “I’ll put an orange in my suitcase.” The next child - he must repeat after you and add his own: “I will put an orange and a peach in my suitcase.” Your turn: “Then I’ll put an orange, a peach and a tangerine in the suitcase.” The main thing is to remember all the things and not get lost in the order until you run out of ideas about fruits or make a mistake.

Consolidation: when the first round is over, change the topic: “In the yard I found a rake, a bucket, a watering can,” etc. For a child who is familiar with the alphabet, you can choose the names of objects for alphabetical order.

Smile more often

The game develops auditory memory. To do this, you will need to record songs from children's cartoons onto a tape recorder or phone. Play them one by one and ask your child to guess who sang and what cartoon it was from. Sing along with the hero.

Drawing and washer

These boards are sold everywhere - very convenient. If you don’t like it or want to draw something else, it’s easy to erase the drawing. At your request, the child will draw a favorite animal or toy, then write words, numbers or shapes around it as you dictate. Then he can make riddles using drawn things, you guess. You can even put together a story by looking at the drawing. For such a game, however, a sheet of plain paper or an album with pencils would also be suitable.

Stickers

What to do with a child on the train (4 years old) - a game for attentiveness and development of classification skills.

Take on the road an album with stickers, a lot of different ones. At your request, let the child glue them, dividing them into groups - cars in one direction, fruits in the other. Can alternate in color or size. You can diversify: he sticks something on, and you name this item. Gradually add to the album and name it according to the child’s wishes.

It’s better to come up with some interesting activity that can captivate the child. At 4 years old, kids are inquisitive and active, they are painfully bored with sitting still. Even the calmest and most obedient. They can be understood; even adults get tired of being locked up. What does the ubiquitous Forum think?

“Our journey was 32 hours, by train. My son is 3.5. We ate in a restaurant; it was so hot in the carriage that we couldn’t save any food, everything would have spoiled instantly. We read fairy tales out loud, took a magazine, and did all sorts of crafts. I also took my phone with recorded cartoons. I slept peacefully." Anna

“Mine, however, is 1.5 years old. We took the potty - after all, the toilets are closed at the stations, and it’s impossible for little ones to tolerate it. At 4 you can’t wear diapers anymore. Mine loves to draw, so I’m stocked to the brim with an album, coloring books, wax pencils, and colored pens. We ate boiled chicken and juice in bags.”

Masha

“Take different games, my contact, she makes friends easily. He can run around the carriage and find all the children his age or slightly younger. Then they run around together. Don’t forget the potty, the toilets on the train are terrible and how can you keep napkins or the child suspended while moving?”

Julia

“Mine was only 4 when we went to reserved seat. They took a pot with a lid and when they wanted, they covered the shelf with a sheet, then they took it out. I took out different games and played with my phone until I had enough charge. Anyway, take the tablet separately, because there is no place to charge it on the train. Read books with pictures. It’s also good if you’re lucky with your travel companions – who will be with the child or have something to do with you. We had a grandfather who played with mine.”

Tanya

The forum can give a couple of everyday tips on what to do with a child (4 years old) on the train.