How should we get more kids involved in model railroading?

[alexweiihman]

Alex, first of all welcome to the forum. Toys for Tots is a program that provides under privileged kids with toys because they cannot afford them. I don't know if this is politically correct, but they can't afford what we have, or even a small amont of what we are lucky to have. Trains might not be a good idea because of the cost. 

I'm not aiming to be rude, this is just my perspective.

If we get them trains it dosent mean they need to buy more, I think theyed apprecate if they got a set.  If they cant affored more at least they have somthing.

[cnw1995]

In my opinion and personal experience (admitting this is a broad generalization) children love toy trains when they are ages where they also love Thomas the Tank engine and Brio-like wooden trains. They love the spectacle - so visits to a layout or open house are special. They may still love playing with dad or G'pa when older - or helping to build a layout. But unless their elders are into toy trains, they'll lose touch as they enter pre-teen years. And we can't really reach them - their leisure activities of choice - computer and video games, the Internet, DVDs and CDs, even watching TV are far more compelling. Then they're lost. And the only way to get them back is as adults in relatively stable cycles of life - with job, family, home, etc. when they have the time or inclination for a hobby...

[tmcc man]

Alex, first of all welcome to the forum. Toys for Tots is a program that provides under privileged kids with toys because they cannot afford them. I don't know if this is politically correct, but they can't afford what we have, or even a small amont of what we are lucky to have. Trains might not be a good idea because of the cost. 

I'm not aiming to be rude, this is just my perspective.

If we get them trains it dosent mean they need to buy more, I think theyed apprecate if they got a set.  If they cant affored more at least they have somthing.

Well, if the family is having trouble with support, such as food and other life sustaining supplies, how would they support a train. They couldn't do it.

I know they would appreciate it, but I think the cost is still too large.

[Anonymous]

Although I am new to the forum/hobby, like many of the people here, I think the key is getting children interested while they are young and having parents keep the interest. Advertising by the companies is of course a help, and what we've seen recently by Lionel is a great start. But it still comes down to the parents who will be purchasing the trains themselves.

CNW1995 hit on exactly what I was thinking as a starting point, Thomas and Friends, and other wooden trains. I think my situation is a perfect example for this, because it got my daughter as well as me into the hobby.

My daughter first played with a Thomas wooden set at my aunts, with her cousins when she was only 2. She really had fun with it, despite my aunt thinking it was more of a "boys" toy, which is clearly untrue. So my wife and I decided to get her a Thomas set that Christmas, and some extra cars. She loves it to this day. Since then we've added several cars and buildings, and a table to play on. Every holiday, she gets more cars by either us or relatives.

This is what fueled my interest as well, because I enjoyed playing with her. It began by my thinking how I always thought Lionel trains were cool but never thought much else about it when I was growing up. Fast forward some years to my daughter getting her THomas set. Next thing you know I am taking her to Toys R Us or Barnes and Noble to play with their displays. That leads to taking her to see Thomas himself and go for a ride. Then I just took her on other local steam train rides, lastly of which was the North Pole Express. Lately Ive taken her to a couple of hobby stores and train shows to see the displays. Both of us enjoy it.

So then my wife bought me the Lionel Christmas set, and I have no problem letting my daughter run it, or add/remove cars to the track. I love letting her play with it with me. I'm confident this interest will continue for years.

All of this just proves to me that parental involvement is the key to getting kids interested in trains. There are plenty of toys to start them out, its up to us to continue it. Just my opinion.