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Everybody loves change. And going on a train ride to view breath taking scenery is definitely a welcome change. Train rides are often imagined as a ride only taken upon visiting a hill station. But that is not true. Riding on a train is common in amusement parks as kiddies’ ride, in zoos to view animals and in garden parks as daily attractions to get a nice view around.

These rides are equally fun for both a silent observer and an overly-enthusiastic kid! Just the thought of travelling in a mini sized train with its small little windows and seats and typical chug-chug and woo-woo sounds is enough to get your bags packing to get a taste of one of these yourself, isn’t it?!

Scenic Train Rides

Hill stations are great places to get a wonderful panoramic view. Due to the altitude at which the trains are driven, they still use steam engines as properties of water and steam are least disturbed by the pressure differences and temperature. Some of the famous scenic train rides that take you sedately are:

• Talgo: Madrid – Oviedo (Spain)
• Bernina Express: Chur (Switzerland) – Tirano (Italy)
• Kuranda Scenic Railway: Cairns, Queensland, Australia – Kuranda
• Shivalik Express: Kalka – Shimla
• The Goldenpass: Zurich – Geneva
• Toy train of Darjeeling at Ghum

Some of the train rides connect hilly to sunny countries and some just take you around the aesthetically pleasing picturesque place.

Zoo Train Rides

Some zoos and animal sanctuaries have facilities for their tourists to view the animals in their natural habitats. For this, train rides are often arranged, which take you through the home grounds of lions, tigers, giraffe, deer, elephants and even birds. These lion train rides and tiger train rides can be compared to lion and tiger safaris. This is both exciting and informative.

Amusement Park Train Rides

This is another favorite kiddies’ ride in any amusement park. Children love to hop on to the toy train and have a happy joy train ride. According to history, the earliest amusement park ‘trains’ were actually nothing more than a trolley manned by couple of men. Then later came the steam engine operated trains and much later the electric trains. But to keep the legacy going, some amusement parks still have working steam engine driven trains.

Sometimes we need to slow down and go into a mellow mood to enjoy little things of life. Train rides give you an opportunity to do just that.

Moon bike rides are common for the bicycle enthusiasts.  Some do it for fun, some for a cause and some just to knock those extra pounds off their bodies. Moon bike rides can be a great way for a family outing, when the moon is full and out bright with the breeze blowing just right. That is almost like a poem!

Full Moon Bike Rides

Once a month, when the moon is all white and generous with its moonlight, bikers pedal away as groups to enjoy the night beauty of Mother Nature. There are many clubs which offer such rides throughout the year. Here are some gears you will need for moon bike rides:

1.A good bicycle, preferably with gears in case you decide to try out varied terrains
2.A sturdy helmet, which you are advised to wear at all times
3.A flash light (a must)
4.A map
5.Water bottle. You lose loads of minerals during biking.
6.Bike repairing tools
7.Good knowledge of repairing bike glitches, such as punctures.

If you are going alone, carry a cell phone/hand phone for safety. If you are going as group of 2 or more, then you may want to try slow biking so that you can ride and talk at the same time.

Chase the Moon Midnight Bike Ride

This moon bike ride is being done with a cause. It was started by Pam Bellm and Ed Bonifas in 2003 at Fox Valley. They wanted to bring meaning to the society through these rides and hence they came up with the idea for the Chase the Moon Midnight Bike Ride.

Each year during the month of July, huge numbers of bikers come together and start on a bike ride right at the stroke of midnight from the Marmion Academy, Fox valley. They return the next day early morning back to the academy.

The fund collected from the bikers is donated for various causes each year. The first year’s collections, which were over $15,000, went for the girl scouts, the second year’s collection for the boy scouts and on its third year funds were flowing from everywhere and the Ride needed someone to manage their financials. It was then they chose their beneficiary, the Conservation Foundation.

For more details, you can visit The Chase the Moon Midnight Bike Ride’s website where you can get details regarding the next moon bike ride, where to register, route-map, etc. They can also be found on Facebook.

Following these revolutionary riders’ footstep, or rather, ‘tire-tracks’, let us too try to make some difference on the planet. Let us bike and conserve resources. Save Earth!

Mine jeeps are new age version of electric cars. They are designed to give your kid a head start in a skill considered necessary these days – driving. These toy vehicles are ideal for kids from 4 yrs to 12 yrs. Some mini jeeps are built to hold one adult and one kid so that the parents can have an eye on their toddler while he/she is going wild with enthusiasm!

Mini Jeep Rides at Amusement Parks

Mini jeeps never fail to attract attention in parks which are now-a-days biased towards teen and adult oriented rides. For children, a ride in their own car is more fun than going around in a merry go round. To seize the market, modern trailblazing mini jeeps have come up with amazing new features and safety measures. Boy, these kids do have their own way!

Features of Mini Jeeps

• Battery operated
• Roomy and double seated
• Speed: 2.5 – 5 mph
• Reverse gear
• Real FM Radio
• Plastic body
• Available with remote control

Comprehensive List of Mini Jeeps and their Price

Brand
Features & Price

Jeep® Wrangler

http://www.bestpricetoyssale.com/images/Fisher-Price-Firerock-Jeep-Wrangler.jpg

Power Lock® Brakes
Runs on 6V battery
Remote controllable
Speed: 3.5 mph max. forward and reverse
Special Wheels to avoid getting stuck in grass and mud
Max weight:65lb (29.5 kg)
For ages 2 to 6 yrs
$ 220.00

Barbie™ Jammin’ Jeep® Wrangler

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=900004&e=storeProduct&pid=54715

Power Lock® Brakes
Runs on 12V battery
Remote controllable
FM Radio
2 speeds: 2.5 and 5 mph
One speed reverse
Special Wheels to avoid getting stuck in grass and mud
Max weight:130lb (59 kg)
For ages 3+
$ 270.00

Kawasaki Brute Force ®

http://www.proarmor.com/store/images/Kawasaki-Brute-Force-750-KVF-750–05-large.gif

Power Lock® Brakes
Runs on 12V battery
Remote controllable
FM Radio
2 speeds: 2.5 and 5 mph
One speed reverse
Special Wheels to avoid getting stuck in grass and mud
Max weight:130lb (59 kg)
Single seated
For ages 3+
$ 300.00

Ford F 150 Monster Traction

http://images.hayneedle.com/mgen/master:FPC064.jpg

Monster TractionTM drive system
Runs on 12V battery
FM Radio
2 speeds: 2.5 and 5 mph
One speed reverse
Cup holder, low batt. Indicator, roomy truck bed
Special Wheels to avoid getting stuck in grass and mud
Max weight:130lb (59 kg)
Double seated
For ages 3+
$ 350.00

Jeep® Hurricane with Monster Traction™

http://batterypoweredrideontoys.net/res/img/ultimate_00000.jpg

Monster TractionTM drive system
Runs on 12V battery
FM Radio
2 speeds: 2.5 and 5 mph
One speed reverse
Cup holder, adjustable seat
Power wheels TM
Max weight:130lb (59 kg)
Power Lock® Brakes
Double Seated
For ages 3+
$ 436.00

Go ahead and get your kids one of these for Christmas or birthday or simply as a surprise. They will cherish it lifelong!

Electric cars are cars driven by stored up electricity or batteries. They are a huge hit with the environment friendly citizens who want to make a difference. They are not the only fans. Kids love cars too. In fact, if you have young kids, they would have definitely demanded for a car of their own at some point of your life time. Electric cars are great way to develop eye-hand coordination.

Kids can have their way now. With advancement in technology, many kiddies version electric cars have come up in the market. They go through loads of tests and stringent specifications to make sure your tiny tot is safe in his/her ride.
These days many day care center and amusement parks have kids cars to keep them engaged under adult supervision.

Features of Kids Electric Cars

• They are battery operated and come in more than 500 different designs and colors.
• They are usually available in 36 volt (36V), 24 volt, 12 volt and 6 volt battery power.
• Single and double seated versions with safety belts
• Rubber tires for firm grip and noiseless drive
• Real time accelerators which increase the acceleration a wee bit letting your child experience a unique drive.
• Speed: 2mph – 5 mph
• Best for kids older than 2 yrs of age.

Kids Electric Car – Price Range

Brand
Features
Age-group
Price
Fisher Price
Voltage: 6V, 12V
Speed: 2 to 5 mph

6V: 1 – 2 yrs
12V: 6 – 12yrs
$150 to $430
Groupe Berchet
Voltage: 6V, 12V
Speed: 2 to 5 mph

2 – 5 yrs
$350 to $750
MicroMotorX
Voltage: 6V, 12V
Speed: 3 mph

1 -3 yrs
$100 – $200
INJUSA
Voltage: 6V, 12V
Speed: 4.3 mph
1-2 yrs
Available only on request: sales@injusa.com

Electric Cars at Amusement Parks

Although the new age amusements parks have become increasingly teen and adult oriented, there are still fun rides reserved for tiny tots. Electric car rides and bumping car rides are some of the favorites.

Bumping car ride is an amusing version of the usual car ride where the cars are wheel-less and are driven by electricity. There is a steering wheel and an accelerator but no brake. Hence, the only way to come to a stop is by bumping onto one another! The area is kept small and the cars more. This way, you can be rest assured of bumping all the way.

There again is an adult version of this. For kids’ version, the impact of bumping is almost nothing, so that your child enjoys the ride and doesn’t bruise himself/herself during the ride.

Next time your kid cries for a car, give him/her a bumping ride of their life at an amusement park or gift them an electric car from the wide varieties to choose from.