All Aboard for Screen-Free Fun: How to Keep Kids Entertained on Summer Train Journeys
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All Aboard for Screen-Free Fun: Trainline and Yoto Launch Free Audio Drawing Activities for Kids
As the school summer holidays approach, parents across the UK are gearing up for family getaways. However, travelling with young children often brings a familiar modern dilemma: how to keep them entertained on long journeys without relying entirely on tablets and smartphones.
The Summer Travel Pressure Facing Parents
New research commissioned by Trainline reveals that more than three in four parents (77%) admit to feeling intense pressure to use screens to keep their children occupied while travelling. Ironically, over half of those surveyed (61%) stated they would actually prefer not to rely on digital devices if they had a viable alternative.
The societal pressure creates a difficult double-edged sword for families. A quarter of parents (25%) reported feeling judged by fellow passengers for keeping their children quiet with screen-based entertainment. Yet, an overwhelming 73% said they remain highly conscious of how their child’s behavior might affect others on board. This data proves that when it comes to keeping kids settled on public transport, many parents feel like they simply cannot win.
Longer Journeys Call for New Creative Solutions
The need for engaging, non-digital entertainment becomes even more acute during the summer peak. According to Trainline’s internal tracking data, UK family rail journeys are, on average, 41% longer during the summer months compared to the rest of the year. Longer travel times naturally stretch children’s patience and test parents’ resourcefulness.
To ease this seasonal travel friction, Europe’s leading train and coach app, Trainline, has teamed up with award-winning children’s audio platform Yoto. Together, they have launched a brand-new, completely free collection of guided audio activities called the Trainline x Yoto Draw Alongs.
Sourced directly from Yoto’s popular daily podcast, Yoto Daily, these custom audio tracks act as a creative travel companion. Each episode guides children step-by-step through drawing imaginative holiday and rail-inspired scenes, giving young travellers an engaging and calm alternative to staring at a screen.
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Inside the Free ‘Draw Along’ Collection
Available for a limited time over the summer break, the collection features 12 guided drawing episodes, including seven brand-new tracks that have never been broadcast before. The activities are designed to spark curiosity, prompting children to sketch out scenes inspired by what they see out the window or what they imagine their holiday will look like.
Young artists can design their own “dream train,” map out a mountain trail, sketch an “under-the-sea train,” or illustrate an ice cream feast. Crucially, the episodes are available entirely for free via the Discover section of the free Yoto app—meaning parents do not even need to own a physical Yoto Player device to join in the fun.
What the Experts and Creators Say
The collaboration is backed by child therapist Saskia Joss, co-host of the podcast Help! My Child’s Anxious and an advocate for the mental benefits of imaginative play. “Travel helps children build confidence and a sense of adventure,” Joss notes. “But as a parent, I know that sometimes it can feel daunting, especially with younger children. Creative activities like audio storytelling and drawing encourage imagination, focus, and a sense of calm. These free Draw Alongs offer parents a fun alternative instead of turning to screens.”
Leah Knighton, Global Brand Marketing Director at Trainline, points out how naturally train travel connects with a child’s inner world: “As a parent myself, I know how much a train journey can spark something in children’s imaginations—like that familiar childhood thought of whether there might be fish outside the window while travelling through the Channel Tunnel. By partnering with Yoto, we want families to feel prepared and in control, with a screen-free option that keeps children engaged and makes the whole journey easier for everyone on board.”
Jake Harris, Executive Producer at Yoto and host of the Yoto Daily podcast, added: “We know how powerful audio can be in capturing children’s imagination, even when they’re doing something else, like travelling or creating on the move. This new collection is ideal for supporting families to travel more comfortably and confidently.”
Inspiration from Trending UK Destinations
The drawing prompts themselves were directly inspired by trending holiday spots across the UK. Trainline’s analysis of family booking data highlighted massive spikes in coastal and scenic destinations. Among the fastest-growing spots for family summer travel are:
- Newquay (+252%)
- Carbis Bay (+247%)
- St Ives in Cornwall (+227%)
- Motherwell (+218%)
- Great Yarmouth (+217%)
By threading beach scenes, camping trips, and historic steam trains into the audio content, the activities align perfectly with the actual landscapes families will see this summer.
Top Tip for Budget-Friendly Family Travel
In addition to keeping kids entertained, Trainline is reminding families how to keep travel costs down. Buying a Family & Friends Railcard offers a massive 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off children’s tickets. Disproving a common myth, the railcard isn’t just for large groups; a single adult travelling with just one child can still unlock the exact same savings, making it highly valuable for quick days out or long-distance summer staycations alike.
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