Saturday, we woke up EARLY, loaded ALL the kids in the car and headed to Calera, AL for Day Out with Thomas 2013 at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. And, y’all, I’m so glad we did!
The kids loved it! Even my oldest daughter, who had told me that she didn’t really want to go (“Why is it always something for boys?” she asked.), told me that she was wrong and was so glad we had come.
There really was something for everyone. When we arrived, I picked up our tickets in the Calera Depot:
Y’all…When I walked through that door, I felt like I had stepped onto the platform at Avonlea. If only I had red hair.
The volunteers at the museum were all so very friendly and helpful, and the railroad museum was the perfect setting for the day. Kids enjoyed experimenting with railroad crossing signals and clanging the bell on an antique engine.
When we picked up the tickets, each child was given a map for the day so they could collect stamps to receive a prize at the end. We went from station to station, getting stamps and enjoying ourselves.
Some highlights:
Thomas temporary tattoos! You know how kids love them. They even got to pick which engine they wanted. Boo (our son..it’s the nickname he gave himself…I’ll post that story sometime. You will love it.) Anyway, Boo had to choose this one because it’s the one his older sister chose. He does have a hero. It’s her.
Then, we went to the imagination station, where kids played with train tracks and Mega Blocks.
We shared a funnel cake because, well, they had them.
Then, we enjoyed the thing we’d been waiting weeks for….
We rode in the antique Frisco car. I loved the vintage feel of everything.
The car was decorated in a fun and festive way.
The kids loved the Thomas songs that played the whole time.
After the ride, we played put-put golf, and the kids enjoyed the bouncy house, which was shaped like Clifford the Big Red Dog.
We also had fun looking at more of the vintage trains.
By the end of the afternoon, our older kids were begging for more, and our little ones were wiped out. It was a truly “fun for the whole family” kind of day!
If you are able to visit Calera this weekend, Thomas will still be there. Visit the Day Out with Thomas website to learn more! Don’t miss it! Your kids (and you!) will love it!
Disclaimer: In order to write this review, I was given tickets to the event. The opinions shared here are my own…as was the fun I had!