My daughter has always been a big fan of Disney Princesses. And Barbies. And tea parties. And anything with sequins, glitter or sparkles. She has displayed an affinity for pink and tutus since birth. So, it was kind of surprising to me when she became a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine when she turned three.
If your child is also a Thomas fan, I have no doubt that you can sing the Thomas theme song (sing with me now…."They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight…..") I'm sure you also know the difference between steamies and diesels, and can identify Annie and Clarabel upon sight. But, if your child really is a big Thomas fan, an event is taking place next weekend in Oklahoma City that you won't want to miss.
Where to Go:
A Day Out with Thomas will take place at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand Blvd) on October 5, 6 and 7 for the final weekend of the Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012. Kids (and adults) of all ages can enjoy a chance to fully immerse themselves in the world of Thomas, including having their photo taken with Sir Topham Hatt and taking a train ride led by a 15-ton replica of Thomas himself. It's truly as close to Sodor as you can get!
What to Do:
One important thing to note—while the activities included in A Day Out with Thomas are all free, there is a cost associated with the train ride. For truly frugal Thomas fans, you can skip the train ride completely and still have a great time.
But for those true die-hard fans of the No. 1 engine, tickets begin at $16 (online) and $18 (at the event), and tickets are required for ages 2 and up. Another important thing to note—advance purchase is strongly recommeded, as many train rides sell out quickly. You can buy tickets here and even choose which train car you would like to ride in (I can say that all the cars we have ridden in have been great, but riding the caboose is very neat!). The train ride lasts approximately 20 minutes and run on a regular schedule between 9am-5pm during the event.
There are plenty of things to enjoy at the event at no cost, including arts & crafts, storytelling, videos, magicians, moon bounces, clowns and a playground. One of my children's most favorite parts is the Thomas & Friends Imagination Station, filled with Mega Blocks, trains and train tables, Thomas stamps, fun crafts and more.
Be sure to bring your camera to snap a photo in front of Thomas and with Sir Topham Hatt—not to mention photos of your child's gleeful expression as they enjoy all the Thomas-themed fun this event has to offer. Refreshments are available at the event (popcorn, drinks, etc.), but most food vendors only take cash. Also, be aware that there is a truly mind-blowing merchandise area offering commemorative t-shirts, bandanas, pennants, books, and everything Thomas you could ever imagine…so enter at your own risk! The merchandise area accepts credit cards, just in case you really want to go overboard. Free parking for the event is available on the grounds of the Oklahoma Railway Museum.
This year, it is my son's turn to be excited about seeing Thomas—he has inherited his sister's Thomas t-shirts and has his engineer overalls all ready to go. We've been watching his "Day of the Diesels" DVD all week and just checked out "The Lion of Sodor" from the library. So, when we see Thomas rolling down the tracks next weekend, we'll be ready to roll, too!
For more information, call 405-424-8222 or visit www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/
