10 Exciting Activities for Kids on Bullet Trains

Ever tried keeping a 7-year-old entertained in a tiny seat for three hours while zooming at 200 mph? If you’ve got a bullet train journey with kids planned, you’re probably dreading the inevitable “I’m bored” chorus about 15 minutes in.

But here’s the thing: bullet train trips with kids don’t have to be exercises in patience and screen-time management. They can actually be memorable adventures.

I’ve compiled 10 exciting activities for kids on bullet trains that require minimal space and preparation but deliver maximum engagement. These aren’t just random busy-work ideas—they’re tested solutions from parents who’ve survived (and thrived) during high-speed family travel.

The real magic? Several of these activities actually use the unique bullet train experience to your advantage. Ready to find out which ordinary household item becomes an extraordinary entertainment tool once you’re moving at top speed?

Preparing for a Fun Bullet Train Journey

Essential items to pack for entertainment

When preparing for a bullet train journey with kids, smart packing is crucial. Consider bringing:

• Magnetic board games that won’t lose pieces during the ride
• Coloring books with washable markers or colored pencils (avoid crayons that can melt)
• A small bag of LEGO or building blocks for creative play
• Reusable sticker books that can be used on windows or tray tables
• Compact card games like UNO or Go Fish
• A small, soft ball for simple games
• Headphones for each child if they’ll be using digital devices

Age-appropriate travel games to bring

Different ages require different entertainment approaches:

• Toddlers (1-3): Soft books, finger puppets, or simple touch-and-feel toys
• Preschoolers (3-5): I-Spy cards, matching games, or simple puzzles with large pieces
• Elementary age (6-9): Travel versions of popular games like Connect Four, word search books, or Mad Libs
• Tweens (10-12): Pocket-sized strategy games, brain teasers, or travel journals for documenting the journey

Snacks that travel well and won’t make a mess

Choose refreshments that keep hunger at bay without creating cleanup challenges:

• Dried fruit or freeze-dried options that don’t get sticky
• Cereal or trail mix in spill-proof containers
• Cheese sticks or string cheese
• Cut vegetables in sealable containers
• Sandwiches cut into small, manageable pieces
• Rice crackers or pretzels (less crumbly than chips)
• Water bottles with secure lids or spill-proof cups

Setting expectations with kids before boarding

Before your journey begins, prepare your children mentally:

• Explain the duration of the ride using references they understand (“It’s as long as three episodes of your favorite show”)
• Discuss appropriate voice levels and behavior in the shared space
• Create a simple schedule for the journey, alternating between different activities
• Set rules about device usage if applicable
• Explain what they might see outside the windows to build excitement
• Establish a small reward system for good behavior during the journey
• Practice using indoor voices and sitting properly before the trip

Interactive Games That Require No Equipment

A. I-Spy Variations with Train-Specific Themes

Transform the classic I-Spy game into a bullet train adventure by focusing on train-specific elements. Instead of the traditional “I spy with my little eye,” try “I spy in our bullet train” and look for unique features like digital displays, uniformed staff, or special seating arrangements. For older kids, add complexity by specifying colors or first letters, such as “I spy something silver that helps us know our speed” (the speedometer display). Create a bullet train bingo version where children mark off common sights like tunnels, stations, or conductor visits.

B. Word Association Games for Different Age Groups

Adapt word association games to suit different ages while traveling on high-speed trains. For preschoolers, use simple categories like “transportation words” where each child adds a travel-related term. Elementary-aged children can play “alphabet trains” – each player names something visible from the train window in alphabetical order. Teenagers might enjoy “speed chains” where each word must begin with the last letter of the previous word, with bonus points for train-related terms. Set a timer using the station arrival countdown for added excitement.

C. Storytelling Relays Inspired by Passing Scenery

The ever-changing landscape outside a bullet train provides perfect inspiration for collaborative storytelling. Each family member contributes one sentence to a developing story based on something they can see outside. “Once upon a time, there was a tiny house on that distant hill…” The next person continues with another observation. To increase the challenge, establish themes like “mystery at the next station” or “adventures of a bullet train conductor.” Record these stories on your phone to create unique souvenirs of your journey.

D. The Quiet Counting Game for Noisy Train Sections

When passing through noisier sections of track, engage children with the whisper counting game. Players take turns counting upward, but they must do so in whispers. If another passenger can’t hear the number, the count continues. If someone speaks too loudly, the group starts over. Variations include counting backward from 100, counting by twos or fives, or using a foreign language for multilingual families. This game naturally encourages children to monitor their volume while still having fun.

E. Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournaments

Organize a family rock-paper-scissors championship during your bullet train journey. Create a tournament bracket on a small notepad and track progress as players advance through rounds. Spice up the classic game with train-themed variations: “ticket” beats “passenger,” “passenger” beats “conductor,” and “conductor” beats “ticket.” Award small privileges like choosing the next activity or getting the window seat at the next seating change. For longer journeys, establish best-of-three rounds and crown an ultimate champion before arriving at your destination.

Creative Activities Using Basic Supplies

Bullet train journeys provide the perfect opportunity to engage children in creative activities that require minimal supplies. With just a few items tucked into your travel bag, you can keep kids entertained for hours while creating meaningful mementos of your adventure.

A. Bullet Train Travel Journal with Stickers

Transform a simple notebook into a personalized bullet train travel diary. Pack a small notebook, colored pens, and a sheet of train-themed stickers. Encourage children to:

• Draw what they see through the window
• Record interesting facts about bullet trains
• Note the names of stations you pass through
• Stick a sticker for each new prefecture or region visited
• Collect ticket stubs to paste inside the journal

This activity not only keeps kids busy but also creates a lasting souvenir of their high-speed rail adventure.

B. Window Art Using Washable Markers

The large windows of bullet trains offer a perfect canvas for temporary artwork. Bring washable window markers and let your children create:

• Landscapes that complement the passing scenery
• Characters that appear to interact with the outside world
• Frames around particularly beautiful views
• Games like tic-tac-toe that can be easily wiped away

Just be sure to bring cleaning wipes to remove the art before disembarking!

C. Origami Projects Using Train Tickets and Brochures

Those colorful train tickets and brochures serve a second purpose as excellent origami paper. Teach your children to fold:

• Simple bullet trains from rectangular tickets
• Birds that appear to fly alongside the train
• Small boxes to hold treasures collected during the journey
• Fortune tellers with questions about the next destination

This activity combines fine motor skills development with recycling materials that would otherwise be discarded.

D. DIY Comic Strips About Train Adventures

Spark storytelling skills by creating comic strips starring your family as train adventurers. Pack:

• Pre-drawn comic strip templates (or create simple grids in a notebook)
• Colored pencils (they won’t roll off tray tables as easily as markers)
• Small stickers to use as speech bubble fillers for younger children

Encourage kids to imagine adventures featuring bullet train superheroes, mysteries solved while traveling at 200 mph, or fantastical creatures spotted from the train windows.

Digital Entertainment Options

Bullet train journeys provide the perfect opportunity to let technology entertain your children while still maintaining educational value. With the right digital tools, you can keep kids engaged without worrying about disturbing other passengers.

Educational Apps About Trains and Transportation

Transform screen time into learning time with transportation-themed apps:

• Train Simulator Games: Apps like “Tiny Rails” or “Train Conductor World” let children design and operate their own virtual trains
• Interactive Train Maps: Use apps that show real-time tracking of your bullet train journey, helping children understand geography and transportation systems
• Build-a-Track Apps: Games where kids can design their own rail networks develop spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Transportation Encyclopedias: Apps like “How Things Work” offer fascinating insights into bullet train technology at a child-friendly level

Many of these apps work offline, perfect for tunnels or areas with spotty connectivity.

Audiobooks and Podcasts for Different Age Groups

Audio entertainment keeps eyes free to enjoy the passing scenery:

• For Preschoolers: Short story collections like “The Little Engine That Could” or transportation-themed episodes of “Story Pirates”
• For Elementary Ages: Chapter books like “The Boxcar Children” or “The Magic Tree House” series
• For Tweens/Teens: Adventure audiobooks or educational podcasts like “Wow in the World” or “But Why?”
• Family Listening: Try audio dramas that appeal across age ranges, like “The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian”

Download content before your journey to avoid streaming issues during travel.

Time-Limited Video Games That Won’t Cause Motion Sickness

Visual entertainment requires careful selection to prevent travel sickness:

• Puzzle Games: Games like “Monument Valley” or “Two Dots” minimize rapid motion that can trigger nausea
• Turn-Based Games: Strategy games like “Plants vs. Zombies” or chess apps allow for play in short bursts
• Creativity Apps: Digital coloring books or music creation apps engage without fast-moving visuals
• Timer Apps: Set screen time limits to encourage breaks for looking out the window or other activities

Remember to pack headphones to ensure other passengers aren’t disturbed by game sounds or audiobooks.

Learning Opportunities on Bullet Trains

Bullet train journeys provide the perfect opportunity to blend fun with education. While speeding across the countryside, engage your children’s minds with these educational activities that make learning an exciting part of the travel experience.

Speed and Distance Math Challenges

Transform mathematical concepts into engaging games using the train’s incredible speed. Have your children calculate:

• How long it will take to reach the next station based on the distance and the train’s speed
• The total distance of your journey divided into segments
• How much faster the bullet train is compared to a car traveling at highway speeds
• Elapsed time between stops with a stopwatch

For younger children, simplify by counting stations or timing minutes between stops. Older kids can tackle more complex calculations involving conversion between kilometers and miles.

Geography Lessons from the Passing Landscape

The changing scenery outside your window creates a living geography classroom:

• Bring a simple map and have children track your journey
• Identify different landforms like mountains, rivers, and coastal areas
• Discuss how terrain affects where people live and work
• Compare urban versus rural landscapes as you pass through different regions

Take photos of interesting geographical features to create a visual journal that reinforces what they’ve learned.

Cultural Facts About Regions You’re Traveling Through

Each region of Japan has its own unique cultural heritage:

• Research notable landmarks visible from the train before your journey
• Share stories about local festivals, foods, and traditions
• Discuss historical significance of cities and towns you pass through
• Play “cultural spotting” games by identifying traditional architecture

Prepare fact cards about different regions beforehand, and reveal them as you enter each new area.

Basic Japanese Phrases for International Travelers

What better time to practice a new language than while immersed in it?

• Create flashcards with essential phrases like “thank you” (arigatō gozaimasu) and “excuse me” (sumimasen)
• Practice counting to ten in Japanese as you count stations
• Learn train-specific vocabulary like “station” (eki) and “ticket” (kippu)
• Challenge kids to use new phrases with train staff or fellow passengers

Turn language learning into a game by awarding points for correctly using phrases in real situations during your journey.

Physical Activities in Limited Space

Physical Activities in Limited Space

While bullet trains may not offer much room to move around, there are still plenty of ways for kids to stay active and burn off energy during the journey. These activities help prevent restlessness while keeping children engaged without disturbing other passengers.

Finger Gymnastics and Hand Coordination Games

These micro-movements provide surprising physical benefits:

• Finger Olympics: Challenge kids to touch their thumb to each finger in sequence, gradually increasing speed. Time them and see if they can beat their personal records.
• Thumb Wrestling Tournaments: A classic that requires minimal space but provides genuine competition.
• Origami Finger Puppets: Bring pre-folded paper puppets that exercise fingers through manipulation while encouraging creative play.
• Hand-Clapping Games: Teach patterns like “Pat-a-Cake” or “Miss Mary Mack” that improve coordination and rhythm.
• Finger Soccer: Use a small paper triangle folded into a triangle “ball” and set up goal posts with fingers for a tabletry soccer match.

Seated Stretching Exercises for Kids

Keep bodies limber with these discrete movements:

• Shoulder Rolls: Ten forward, ten backward.
• Ankle Rotations: Circle feet in both directions to improve circulation.
• Seated Twists: Gently twist the torso from side to side without disturbing neighbors.
• Secret Stretches: Challenge kids to stretch one body part at a time without anyone noticing.
• Invisible Jumping Jacks: Perform the arm movements of jumping jacks while seated.
• Breath Control Games: Practice taking deep breaths, holding, and slowly releasing—making it into a game of who can take the longest controlled breath.

Silent Dance Challenges Using Headphones

Transform music into movement even in confined spaces:

• Headphone Dance-Off: With individual headphones, kids can listen to music and perform upper-body dance moves while seated.
• Freeze Dance: When the music stops in their headphones, they must freeze—adding an element of surprise that’s amusing for the child but silent for fellow passengers.
• Mirror Dancing: One child leads subtle dance movements that others must follow precisely.
• Dance Charades: Challenge kids to act out songs through tiny movements that others must guess.
• Rhythm Matching: Tap fingers or hands to the beat of the music, creating increasingly complex patterns.

These activities provide physical stimulation in the limited space of a bullet train, helping children stay engaged while respecting the peaceful environment for other travelers.

Social Activities Involving Other Passengers

Bullet train journeys offer a unique opportunity for kids to develop social skills while having fun. With proper supervision, these social interactions can become some of the most memorable parts of your journey.

Making Friends with Nearby Families (with Parental Supervision)

Encouraging your children to interact with other families can turn a simple train ride into a social adventure:

• Start by making eye contact and smiling at neighboring families with children of similar ages
• Parents should initiate conversation first to establish a comfortable atmosphere
• Suggest shared activities like coloring or card games that can accommodate multiple participants
• Set clear boundaries with your children about staying within sight and getting permission before sharing personal items
• Use this opportunity to model positive social interactions for your children

For younger children, suggest they show a favorite toy or book to nearby kids as an icebreaker. For older children, encourage them to ask questions about where other families are traveling to.

International Charades with Willing Participants

Bullet trains often host passengers from around the world, creating a perfect environment for a multilingual game of charades:

• Choose simple, universal concepts like animals, foods, or common activities
• Use exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to transcend language barriers
• Take turns between participating families, giving everyone a chance to act and guess
• Keep score using fingers or simple tally marks to maintain excitement
• Maintain an appropriate volume to respect other passengers

This activity not only entertains but also teaches children about non-verbal communication and breaking down cultural barriers through play.

Trading Temporary Tattoos or Stickers with New Friends

Bring along a selection of temporary tattoos or sticker sheets specifically for trading:

• Pack a varied selection of designs that appeal to different interests
• Establish “trading rules” with your children before beginning (like limiting trades to 3-5 items)
• Supervise exchanges to ensure fair trades and positive interactions
• Help children practice gratitude by thanking their new friends for trading
• Use each trade as an opportunity for brief conversation and connection

This simple exchange activity creates lasting memories while teaching valuable lessons about sharing and building connections with others. It also provides a souvenir of the journey that children can take home with them.

Scavenger Hunt Adventures

Transform your bullet train journey into an exciting adventure with scavenger hunts that keep kids engaged while making the most of the unique train environment. These activities are perfect for maintaining excitement throughout longer journeys.

Finding Items Inside the Train

Turn the confined space of a bullet train into a treasure trove of discoveries:

• Create a checklist of common items found on trains: emergency signs, different colored seats, food cart items, or specific symbols on signs
• Challenge kids to find passengers wearing particular colors or accessories
• Look for staff with different uniforms or badges
• Spot unique features specific to bullet trains like special seating arrangements or technology elements

Provide small prizes or points for each item discovered, and consider laminating your checklist so it can be marked with dry-erase markers and reused on future trips.

Spotting Landmarks from the Windows

Despite the high speed, the passing scenery offers excellent opportunities for observation games:

• Research notable landmarks along your route beforehand
• Create bingo cards with pictures of mountains, buildings, or famous sites you’ll pass
• Time how quickly your child can spot certain landmarks as they appear
• Take photos of landmarks as “proof” of discoveries, creating a visual journey log

For longer routes, divide the journey into sections with different landmarks to find in each segment, maintaining interest throughout the trip.

Counting Specific Objects Passing By

The fast-moving landscape provides perfect counting challenges:

• Assign different objects to each child: tunnels, bridges, stations, rice fields, or vehicles
• Count specific colored objects (red cars, blue signs)
• Tally different types of landscapes (urban areas vs. countryside)
• Count people waiting at station platforms as you zoom through

Keep a running tally and announce totals at certain intervals or stops to maintain excitement and competition.

Color-Themed Observation Challenges

Add a vibrant twist to your scavenger hunt with color-based challenges:

• Designate different time periods for different colors (10 minutes to find everything green, then blue)
• Create a rainbow challenge—find something of each color in sequence
• Play “color bingo” with a grid of different colored squares
• Challenge kids to find increasingly specific color combinations as the journey progresses

For younger children, stick to primary colors, while older kids can hunt for more nuanced shades or combinations of colors both inside the train and in the passing landscape.

Quiet Time Activities for Tired Kids

After hours of excitement on a bullet train, children often need some downtime. These quiet activities will help tired kids relax while still keeping them engaged during your journey.

Relaxation Techniques for Overstimulated Children

Bullet trains provide the perfect opportunity to teach children simple relaxation techniques that they can use anywhere:

• Deep breathing exercises: Guide your child to breathe in slowly for a count of four, hold for four, then exhale for four. Make it fun by pretending to blow up an imaginary balloon.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: Have them tense and then release different muscle groups, starting from their toes and working up to their head.
• Whisper stories: Take turns whispering stories to each other—this naturally calms voices and encourages listening.
• Guided imagination: Ask your child to close their eyes and imagine they’re floating on a cloud or swimming in a calm lake as you describe peaceful scenes.

Calming Coloring Activities with Washable Supplies

Coloring can be wonderfully soothing for tired children:

• Pack washable markers, crayons, or colored pencils that won’t cause permanent damage if accidents happen.
• Bring compact coloring books or download printable coloring sheets before your journey.
• Consider window clings or window markers designed specifically for travel—they can color on the train window without leaving permanent marks.
• Water-reveal coloring books are mess-free—they only require a small water pen to activate the colors on the page.

Simple Card Games Requiring Minimal Concentration

When energy is low but kids still need gentle engagement, these card games are perfect:

• Go Fish: A classic that requires minimal setup and concentration.
• Memory with a small deck: Limit the pairs to 5-10 for tired children.
• Matching games: Simple matching games with transportation themes can be both relevant and entertaining.
• Card sorting: For very young children, simply sorting cards by color or number can be engaging without being overstimulating.

These quiet activities not only help children decompress after excitement but also create peaceful moments during your bullet train journey that both parents and kids will appreciate. Having a variety of these calming options ready can transform potential meltdown moments into peaceful transitions.

Making Memories of the Journey

A bullet train journey isn’t just about reaching your destination—it’s an experience worth remembering. The final part of your high-speed adventure can be dedicated to capturing and preserving those special moments, creating lasting family memories.

Photo Challenges with Different Train Features

Turn photography into a fun activity by creating themed photo challenges:

• Capture the speed display monitor showing the train’s top velocity
• Take photos at each station stop with the station sign visible
• Photograph unique features of the bullet train (streamlined nose, driver’s compartment viewing window)
• Create a “same pose, different backgrounds” series as scenery changes
• Challenge kids to find and photograph interesting design elements inside the train

Combine these photos later into a digital album titled “Our Bullet Train Adventure” that the whole family can enjoy revisiting.

Recording Short Video Interviews About Favorite Moments

Become family journalists by conducting mini-interviews:

• Ask each family member about their highlight of the journey
• Record their thoughts about what surprised them about bullet train travel
• Capture their reactions to the speed and smoothness of the ride
• Interview willing fellow passengers about their bullet train experiences
• Create a 60-second “documentary” about your journey together

These videos become precious time capsules of your children’s perspectives and excitement.

Creating Souvenirs from Ticket Stubs and Journey Mementos

Transform ordinary items into meaningful keepsakes:

• Make a bullet train journey collage with tickets, seat assignment cards, and route maps
• Create bookmarks using laminated ticket stubs
• Draw on napkins from the food cart and preserve them as art
• Collect stamps from stations in a small notebook
• Press a coin or purchase a train-themed souvenir at a station

These tactile mementos help children process and remember their experience in a tangible way.

Planning the Next Bullet Train Adventure Together

Build excitement for future travels:

• Discuss which routes you’d like to explore next
• Research destinations accessible by bullet train
• Create a wish list of activities for your next high-speed journey
• Draw or write about what they hope to see on the next trip
• Compare different bullet train models and their features

This forward-looking activity not only extends the current journey’s enjoyment but plants the seed for future family adventures on these remarkable trains.

Bullet train journeys can transform from potential meltdown moments into memorable adventures with the right activities. From equipment-free games and creative projects to digital options and educational opportunities, there are countless ways to keep children engaged while traveling at high speeds. Physical movement games, social interactions, scavenger hunts, and quiet activities provide a balanced mix of stimulation and relaxation for kids of all energy levels.

Don’t forget that the journey itself is part of the vacation experience. Take photos, create travel journals, or collect small mementos to help your children remember their bullet train adventure. With thoughtful preparation and these activity ideas, you’ll not only survive the train ride but create lasting family memories along the way. Your next bullet train journey with kids might just become the highlight of your trip rather than simply the way to get there.