Summer Fun with Thomas the Tank Engine

What true blue Thomas the Tank fan hasn't dreamt of riding the rails on the Island of Sodor? Now little engineers will get their chance, because Thomas is chugging into a train station near you! Families can ride on a real (okay, a 15-ton replica) Thomas at a Day Out With Thomas event.

Here's more information:

Pulling out of the station for its 16th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas: Leader of the Track Tour 2011 will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada . Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite No. 1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors.

You can search to see which cities Thomas is visiting and purchase tickets on Ticketweb. Thomas is visiting over 45 cities through mid-November.



We've been invited to attend a Day Out With Thomas next week, and even though my boys are sophisticated 7 year olds, they can't wait! The one nearest us will be held at the Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton, CA, on July 29, 30 and 31. We've ridden the steam trains at Roaring Camp Railroad before, and there is honestly no better way to spend the day than chugging through a cool, shady redwood forest on a train. Grownups love it because the scenery is so beautiful, and kids love it because, well, it's a steam train. I can only imagine how much more exciting it will be for kids when it's not just any old steam train they're riding, but the one and only Thomas! Stay tuned for my Day Out With Thomas post where I'll tell you all about it!


New Thomas & Friends app debuts on the iTunes app store

If you can't make it to Day Out with Thomas event, your child can still enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine this summer with the new Thomas & Friends app for ipad, iphone, and ipod touch. Thomas & Friends™: Hero of the Rails, brings Thomas and his engine friends to life in an interactive app filled with animation, CGI video, painting activities, puzzles and games. It's based on Thomas' animated feature-length movie Hero of the Rails, and it's available for a limited time for $0.99 in the iTunes app Store at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Disclosure: I am receiving 4 complimentary tickets to a Day Out With Thomas event, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Event information is provided by DKC PR and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.