Are you a wagon mom or a stroller mom?
Well, with COVID life we weren’t venturing out and about often, and the wagon remained unopened, stored in the closet. As Spring 2022 crept up, I saw the discussion of festivals, outdoor adventures, and vacations increase. Specifically, in my groups with mothers of young kids, I started seeing discussions of wagons and seeing adorable pictures of parents toting their crew around in wagons. Somewhere between 2019 and 2022, I missed the wagon frenzy taking over the mom world. I then remembered that I have a wagon stored away! So with plans of us taking our kids to a picnic last month, I pulled our wagon out and put it together.
We used the wagon all day and at the end of the day I decided – I’m not a wagon mom. It felt like more of a burden to me than my double stroller. Maybe I’m just used to the stroller, but I didn’t love it. If you’re on the fence here are a few pros and cons for each that I’ve gathered.
Wagon Pros and Cons
- Pro: Better for older toddlers/kids. The wagon feels less contained and more spacious for them. A wagon would likely be a win for a child that hates the stroller.
- Pro: They can hold a lot! Unless you have a stroller with a large stroller basket you will be surprised how spacious wagons are. It was helpful to be able to hold my kids and fit our portable chairs also.
- Pro: Can serve as a “bench” also. My wagon unzips on the side so the kids can sit with their legs dangling. This was nice for a quick seating option for the kids.
- Con: Not suitable for newborns. Depending on the ages of your kids this can be a big con. Where strollers are easily adaptable for newborns and infants, many wagons are not and are best suited for sitters and up.
- Con: Has to be pulled. I’ve seen some of the newer and pricier wagons that come with a push option (I see you over there Wonderfold), but the vast majority of wagons need to be pulled. For me, this was not comfortable for longer distances.
- Con: More difficult to navigate. Unless you wagon has heavy duty wheels, it may seem harder to maneuver than a wagon, especially over uneven terrain. I also have no clue how I would navigate a wagon and stairs.
- Con: Not as widely accepted. Everyone has not jumped on the wagon trend yet, and they are often restricted at festivals and places like Disney.
Stroller Pros and Cons
- Pro: You push them. Strollers are easier to maneuver since they are only being pushed.
- Pro: Good for reclining and sleeping. Very comfortable and easy for kids to lounge or nap in a stroller.
- Pro: Age range. This can be a pro or a con. Strollers are well suited for kids from birth. On the other hand, depending on the stroller and size of the child, older toddlers may not be as comfortable.
- Con: Not well liked. Many toddlers are not a fan of strollers.
- Con: Can be too heavy or too lightweight. Depending on the stroller, some can be very heavy and are hard to fold and carry, while some can be so lightweight that it feels as if they might tip over.
- Con: Side by side or tandem? For double strollers, choosing a style between side by side and tandem can be a difficult decision.
For now, I’m team stroller, but I’ll give the wagon a few more tries.
