What to Look For in a Toddler Stroller
A stroller allows you to safely bring your wiggly toddler along on adventures. It should have a five-point harness to keep your child secure and lockable swivel wheels that cannot be pushed away.
If you’re expecting a child think about a travel pushchair system that attaches to your car seat or a convertible model that could grow from single to double (and sometimes triple when you add the Vista PiggyBack ride-along board). Look for a basket that’s large and easy to reach.
Safety
Choose a model that has safety features that meet the strictest standards if you want your child to enjoy strolling in the stroller for many years to come. Included in this are size and age compatibility as along with a sturdy design and restraining straps. Also, you can sunshades and seats with a secure shell. Choose a five-point harness that uses straps on the shoulders and between the legs as well as at the crotch to stop your child from falling out of the stroller during a crash. Many strollers have additional hip straps to increase your child’s safety.
Strollers are tested for impact to ensure that they are safe. The test involves dropping the stroller from a height and measuring the force of the impact to make sure it won’t tip over while using it. The top strollers also come with an extremely secure brake system that is lockable and can be used as in cars.
Check the brake pedals, and make sure that they are easy to operate by yourself but difficult to remove for children. If you can, choose a magnetic harness that makes use of strong magnets to hold the harness straps together. It is simple to fasten for parents, but hard for babies to unlock. Choose a padded frame bumper bar and a security belt opening that can be closed in a reclining position.
Folding and unfolding a stroller must be kept away from children to prevent the risk of pinching. Always ensure that the hinges have no protrusions and no sharp edges. Keep bags in the storage area or the basket beneath the stroller to avoid entanglement hazard and to reduce the chance of the stroller falling over when it is in motion. Never hang purses, diaper bags, or other items from the stroller handles. This could be a strangulation hazard for your baby.
Choose a stroller with an extended canopy that will protect your child from harsh sun. Keep snacks and drinks handy by using a bottle or cup holder, as well as a snack tray. A bag clip or a tote bag will allow you to carry your shopping items and other things without weighing down the size of the stroller.
Comfort
As toddlers grow and become more active, they require a stroller that is more comfortable than what they had as infants. A wide seat with plenty of cushioning and reclining options will ensure that they are able to comfortably use their stroller and stay relaxed when they go out. Additionally, a model with an adjustable footrest and canopy is a great choice to accommodate their changing height. A solid frame, a five-point harness, and braking systems are all important factors.
A double stroller is ideal for parents with twins or two close-aged babies. Choose a double stroller with a reversible seating position so that they can ride facing toward the parent, or facing one the other. A reversible chair can also assist your children to bond while on a stroll. Based on your lifestyle, you may want an infant stroller with cups holder or a bag clip to keep snacks and drinks in reach.
The most effective strollers for toddlers are easy to fold and maneuver. Strollers that have swivel wheels and a suspension system that works will allow you to navigate through crowded streets or uneven terrain. Other useful features to look for include an adjustable handlebar and a peek-a-boo window. To make it easier and more convenient operation, you may want parking brakes that are operated by hand.
The right stroller will ensure that you and your family are comfortable on any trip whether it’s a short stroll through the city or a vacation. From an ultra-compact travel stroller self-folding stroller design, to a huge basket for storage, these strollers offer the convenience and flexibility you want.
To narrow your choices I spoke to five parenting and stroller experts, including Lisa Trofe, executive director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association; Kyleyn Gosewisch, customer care specialist at Strolleria; Marielle Marquez, pediatric occupational therapist and co-founder of Thrive Little; Holly Choi co-founder and co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid, an organization that offers safety and baby-related resources and Sarah Huff, senior manager of community and customer service at BabyQuip, a baby gear rental site. Learn more about their top tips for selecting the ideal stroller for toddlers.
Folding
Your child will likely leap in and out of the stroller on their own, so look for a model with an easy-to-use folding mechanism. Some models can be folded with just one hand, while others have an adjustable strap that lets you carry the stroller. You might also consider an option with a large canopy that protects your child from sun, and offers various recline positions.
A few of the top strollers come with an area that can be used to connect an infant pushchair car seat seat. Some come with attachment points for baby carriers. You can choose a light stroller with a weight of less than 30 pounds to allow it to be easier to lift onto and off public transport. If you plan to take the stroller on uneven surfaces, you should choose a model with large, sturdy wheels. They can effortlessly roll across a variety of conditions.
A stroller with a padded carrying strap can help you easily sling the stroller over your shoulder if necessary. Never hang a purse or diaper bag from the handle of your stroller. It could cause it to tip over and cause injury or death to your baby.
The stroller you select should come with a five-point harness that securely attaches to the front and back of your child. It should also have a large, spacious storage basket that is accessible and an infant tray. For exhausted toddlers, a recline seat is a must.
In our buying guide, you will get additional information and tips on choosing a stroller. If you have questions, reach out to our expert customer service team for assistance.
What is the difference between a stroller and a pram?
A stroller (Canada & US) or pushchair pram (U.K.) is a portable hand-pushed vehicle to transport infants and young children. Some strollers can hold an infant car seat or an adjustable bassinet that is able to be converted into a seat. While most strollers aren’t easy to take, a few models come with locks and shackles that prevent them from being taken by people who pass by. A top-rated baby carrier is an excellent alternative to a stroller. It will help build bonds and free your hands to do other tasks, such as grocery shopping or running the errands.
Stores
As your baby becomes an infant, stroller rides are longer instead of the quick strolls of the early years. When you go on these excursions you’ll need more items, including a fully stocked diaper bag, snacks, drinks and even extra clothes for Baby. Stroller storage is the key to carrying all these items and keeping them within arm’s reach.
Consider a stroller that has ample storage space. It can hold your diaper bag, spare clothes, and one of our best water bottles for children. These essentials will allow you to take your time on your trip without having to worry about baby or bags.
The majority of full-size strollers come with plenty of storage space, however should you need an easier-to-access storage space for your belongings, look for a stroller that has a tray for the parents. These consoles usually come with an integrated cup holder aswell as a large storage area that can hold more than just drinks. Some of our favorite strollers have a tray for parents as an option, while others offer it as an add-on.
When choosing a stroller with a tray for parents, be sure that it includes deep cup holders that can securely hold your beverage. Shallow cup holders could spill over the edge, creating danger to your child. We also suggest against hanging anything on the handlebars because this can cause the stroller to tip over. Based on the weight of the item and how steep the terrain and the amount of weight that is placed in the storage basket, this could transform a stroller that is stable into a potentially dangerously unstable one.
For families who plan to have two children in the next few years, a tandem or side-byside stroller is something to consider. These strollers feature seats that are side by side, with an infant seat at the lower part and a toddler’s seat at the top. These strollers can save you money in the long run by allowing you to use a single stroller from birth to toddlerhood.
