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How old is too old for a stroller?

Comments (182)

Posted 09/18/2012

I took my DS to DIsney for his fourth birthday and he walked the whole thing. I didn't offer the stroller, and he didn't ask. I did feel sorry for the parents of the roughly ten year old (adult ticket price) who was riding in a stroller playing his DS. There were actually several kids playing DSs at the parks. Barring special needs, there is no reason for a child to be in a stroller they have to fold into.


Jenn ~( 8>

Posted 09/18/2012


I think in normal circumstances 3-4 is a good cutoff for a stroller but if you go to someplace like Disney (and I've been to Disneyworld and Disneyland) it can require a LOT of walking. Little kids get tired and a stroller is a great place for them to take a mid-day nap in the middle of the park without having to go all the way back to the hotel room or just for them to relax and take a break. I know when we took our 2 year old we definitely took a stroller in the park. She needed it and, well, was still in "stroller age range" I guess you could say. 

It just depends on the child and the situation. 

Posted 09/18/2012

DS is 3, and we have not regularly used his stroller in over a year. We have used it maybe 5 times over the past year - at a few state fairs, and we did just take it on vacation as we did a lot of walking.  I was looking at him in the stroller and wondering if other people thought he was too old. He is actually really short for 3, so probably closer to some 2.5 year olds in height.  I have not really noticed other people with children who were "too old" in a stroller. Every child is different and if having a stroller when you are out and about is helpful, I am all for it!



DS, Aiden, 7-12-09 and welcome to DS, Liam, born on 1-2-13, exactly 5 weeks early!

Posted 09/18/2012

I have to agree with anyone who said that Disney or any of the theme parks are an exception to any age rule.

My DD is just under 5yo, and we go to Disney every few months this year (annual passes). I am also a single mom, so it's just her and I going. I wouldn't even THINK of attempting to go with her at this age without taking her stroller, if for no other reason than we also take drinks, snacks, spare clothes and what not in with us. That said, she does NOT sit in the stroller the entire day in the park, but she will sit in it when we are going from one section of the park to another, or when she wants a snack or drink. The main reason for that though is it's just sometimes easier with the crowds, sometimes finding a place for us to sit down doesn't work so well. It also comes in handy for us because if she needs to take a nap, she can in the stroller (and I usually use that time to browse a few shops.) We also tend to stay for the entire day.

That said, even though the stroller does 'live' in my car, we really don't use it for anything else than theme park or other trips where we will be dragging along additional items.

I really think though that stroller use should be a personal decision, based on the child and the circumstances. We moms get judged for plenty of other stuff without judging other moms for doing what's best for their own child.

Posted 09/18/2012
What an interesting debate! I agree that any child 5 and up is just too old and big for a stroller. Besides at that age they need to be active and walking! With my 2 older kids I stopped using the stroller closer to 4. After that I just discontinued. Now I have a 1 ye old and the kids are always wanting to sit in it if we are walking long distances on a park trail but I tell them to suck it up and walk!
Posted 09/19/2012

My son is almost three and the only times we use the stroller is when we're going for a long walk, or if we're going on the bus for a day outing, because we take the bus downtown and do a lot of walking through the parks, he's exhausted by the end of it. But he prefers walking, and loves to be active. In my opinion, I would say three would be the oldest. I was out of my stroller at about 3 or 3 1/2. I think it's important to encourage walking and being active, but I understand that after long days it's easier to put a child into a stroller rather than carry them when they're exhausted.

Posted 09/19/2012
That is INSANE that ppl think 3-6 is too old! Do u really wana carry a fussy 5 year old around rather then having a nice big age appropriate stroller handy?
Posted 09/19/2012
I said 4-5. ODS didn't really use a stroller after age 2, but I wore him for short periods up until he was 45 lbs, at 3 years old (he's a very big kid). If he'd been smaller, I would have continued wearing him until he was too big for the carrier.

YDS I have put in a stroller 4 times, but I wear him a lot, and will continue to do so until I can't anymore. He's 28 months and 32 lbs, but hasn't gained weight in 15 months, so who knows how long I'll be able to carry him! My mom uses a stroller for him, but the time he's in it is pretty minimal. After he turns 3, I wouldn't see her using it for him very often.
Posted 09/19/2012
Lol, ODS would never have fit in a stroller at 5 years old! There was never a situation where I wished I could put him in a stroller at 5, or even 4 or 3! I can see where some people might need them, but not every kid does.
Posted 09/19/2012


we just went to DW and i noticed that kids around my kids age in strollers.  i was amazed.  the thought of them not walking it and getting a stroller had never even crossed my mind. 



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