You can't tell a kid that he can't go to the bathroom or stop for some water as you walk between gates. The MCT is not even close to the SCT (Sensible Connect Time) in this instance.

Kids can have a blast at a gate, watching aircraft pull up and depart, jet bridges maneuver, people scream at GA's and so on. I would allow at least 2 hours, make a bio break between gates, and have a picnic at the gate.

A misconnect is a lot lot lot worse than a bored kid at a gate.