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Get On Track For A Great Time

Posted: 4/29/2011

Youngsters can have fun learning important life lessons from a trio of animated trains and their friends.

(NAPSI) - Trains have always fascinated kids and provided a great opportunity for all generations to enjoy time together. There are several ways to incorporate trains into your plans this spring and summer, all of which are sure to be exciting and fun but also educational for the entire family.

For a memorable experience, consider taking a train on your next vacation or long weekend getaway. Make plans to board Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, a scenic ride that travels along Southern California’s coast. Or, take a trip into New York City on the Northeast Regional line.

When planning the trip, also consider places that feature train museums, historic railroad rides or train-themed restaurants. Hop aboard Durango, Colorado’s historic Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to experience a steam locomotive ride, or enjoy ocean views on Newport, Rhode Island’s Dinner Train.

You can also ask nearby railroad lines if they offer kid-friendly guided tours, so the entire family can enjoy seeing how the train and train station operate.

Ideas for rainy days include having a train movie marathon. Introduce older children to classic flicks featuring trains, such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” or a more modern title like “Train Master,” depending on their age.

For preschoolers, there’s even a new television series that features characters that are all trains. “Chuggington,” a CGI-animated television show that airs daily on Disney Channel’s Disney Junior, follows the humorous adventures of three “trainees,” Koko, Wilson and Brewster, who live and work in the town of Chuggington. The show is populated by dozens of trains of all shapes and sizes, all of whom work to make Chuggington a better place.

Along with all the adventure, each episode teaches positive life lessons to help with preschoolers’ social skills. The older and wiser engines on the show provide guidance and encouragement as the trainees learn about friendship, the importance of telling the truth, completing tasks, resolving conflict and other important values, all with humor to which little ones can relate.

Kids can now re-create the adventures and stories of their favorite characters in “Chuggington” with new collectible engines and train sets available in stores. Train play is a great way to stimulate kids’ imaginations and has been shown to improve fine motor skills.

For more fun, consider hosting a train-themed party for your children and their friends. Kids can help make their own train ticket invitations and decorate train-themed cupcakes. Train-inspired games and activities can include “Conductor Says,” musical trains or a scavenger hunt with a train map.

Add some color to your party by incorporating “Chuggington” characters and playing some of the games from the website, www.Chuggington.com.

Note to Editors: While May 7, which has been declared National Train Day, is a good time to run this article, it can be used at any time.

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