Strollers For Big Kids

I have a several children at several different stages of their life. I have a 5 year old(close to 6), a 4 year old and a toddler. All three of them are an absolute hoot, and I wouldn’t change the situation for anything. However, one of are kids, for whatever reason encountered a growth spirt when he was a little guy. And before he was even 4 years old he needed one of those strollers for big kids. The ones that don’t exist! Our solution to his growth was a jogging stroller.

A Jogging Stroller Is The Solution

Whether you have a youngster with a growth spirt or you tend to stroll all day and your older one needs a break occassionally, if you have a need to push a larger or older child, strollers for big kids are what you need. The thing is there isn’t really such a thing. But there are jogging strollers. These things are tough, well built, can handle the weight and are designed for the most part to go in a car easily.

Schwinn Turismo Swivel Single Jogger

I researched number units when confronted with this problem. Now don’t misunderstand me, I’m a bit of a stroller junkie. I actually enjoy testing out different units and put them through their paces. In fact, I have rented and owned far too many strollers. I don’t know, it’s just something about anything with wheels! In any case, by the time I had rented a few and borrowed one, I came down to a decision. The unit I chose was the Schwinn Turismo Swivel Single Jogger – And I bought it on Amazon.com. ( I love Amazon, best prices, best return policy ). Here are the reasons I went with the Schwinn:

• As Light As Possible – Schwinn manufacturers them out of aluminum which is a light yet cost effective metal choice. It means its strong but still reasonably light.
• Lockable Swivel Front Wheel – The front wheel swivels. This is very important if you are using as an everday stroller. As a jogger, you want it to lock – which it does – but for stores and the mall swivelling is key.
• Built In MP3 Speaker – This is really cool. You can connect your iPod to the stroller and it will pipe music into the speaker on board your stroller. I play my little guy his favourite Barney or whatever he’s in the mood for. This is one of the best features you can ask for.
• Collapsing Spring Suspension – For the mall the spring suspension isn’t that big a deal,but the minute you get onto uneven terrain or just a nature trail, it makes the ride much smoother. Most people don’t realize it also makes the unit easier to handle and reduces fatigue on the person pushing the stroller
• CupHolders – These strollers for big kids have great cupholders for us really big kids. I like my coffee and this cupholder is first class, it even pivots! It’s great. The other great thing is that the kids also have a first class cupholder and tray. It’s not a cheapy thing, it’s right there in front of them and has room for drinks and snacks.
• Reasonably Priced – This thing is not huge bucks. You can get this unit for less than $250.00 easily. Considering the features and longevity of this unit that’s a great price in my mind.
• Available on Amazon – You might be wondering why this is a big deal. I have had the best luck buying things from Amazon. It just shows up at your door and the return policy is excellent.
• Decent Storage – The Schwinn has a decent sized cargo tray on the bottom to hold your odds and ends that you always need. This is a must have for any stroller in my opinion.

If you want to checkout another review of baby strollers for big kids then have a look at this site 

The TradeOffs

- Like everything in life there is tradeoffs. The only real disadvantage here is that the unit is heavier than some other strollers. At 30 some odd pounds it’s certainly not a 15 pound lightweight stroller. But it comes apart and folds down pretty well to allow you to get it into a smaller car. This was my main concern considering my wife uses it a lot. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good in that respect.

Easy To Stroll

- This unit is built to last a long time. It’s a jogging stroller that you can take virtually anywhere and it’s designed to hold heavy kids and still be easy to move. Schwinn has done a great job on that. There is another great review here.

I’ve owned a lot of different strollers over the years. I was faced with an interesting dilemma with our second child that I didn’t really expect to have to face. He was growing like crazy, which is great, but we was getting a bit too big for the stroller that his sister grew up in. She was pretty much standard size as kids go, and fell nicely into the normal part of the growth curve. He did too for about the first month of his life but after that he starting to stretch out rather rapidly. By the time he was three and a half he was far too big for the standard stroller. Fortunately he liked to walk most of the time,but he still couldn’t walk all day. And often as not, if we were out for a long day, he would fall asleep at some point. If he didn’t have time for a nap, he would get pretty cranky, like all kids. This is nothing new.

How To Choose?

The criteria I use are pretty straightforward.

• Needs To Last – Since this was not likely to be our last child, I figure I wanted something that would last for another child, or possibly two. We more or less planned three kids, maybe four but either way it needed to survive this little guy and probably one more.
• Reasonably Priced – This is always on my list. Sometimes this is in-congruent with built to last, but I need to know that what I am buying is priced reasonably compared to the competition. Also, since this was an unexpected purchase the budget was important
• Easy To Manage – I’m not the main user of the stroller, my wife is. So it either has to be light, or come apart easily and quickly. Both is best, but that’s hard to find at a reasonable price. She needs to be able to man handle it into the van without too much trouble
• All Terrain – We take our stroller in places besides just the mall. Most people do, so I wanted a stroller for big kids that could go all terrain. The beach, nature trails and sometimes a bit of snow. There is nothing worse that struggling with a crappy stroller through slush and ice in a parking lot
• Cup Holder – Do I really need to go into detail here? I don’t function well without coffee when I’m walking my kids. And when I’m jogging my water bottle is an absolute must also. The cup holder on the Schwinn Turismo is first class.
• Kids Are First Class – It’s important that your kids are comfortable and happy when they are in the stroller. There’s lot of room and the seats are large. And the kids have their own tray and cupholder as well. They are treated like first class citizen as they should be. Because if they are happy, you will be happy. More importantly if they aren’t happy you definitely won’t be.

 

If you are looking for another review check out this site with reviews about baby strollers for big kids
 

A Jogger Is The Best Buy

In my experience the easiest solution to this is to be a decent jogging stroller. A lot people start with a jogging stroller and just use it as their main stroller as well as their athletic stroller. They are a little heavy for some people to use as a main stroller.

Joggers Are A Bit Heavy

The Schwinn Turismo that we chose weighs in at about 35 pounds, but it folds down so this isn’t as much of an issue. They are very well built, have big air filled tires typically and will make your child very comfortable. They typically have those big wheels to help them roll over virtually anything.

The Schwinn Turismo Single

If you want a really good stroller that will last then the Schwinn Turismo Single Jogger is the way to go.
It’s the choice we made. It covers all of my criteria and more. The price is reasonable, it’s well made and folds down easily. It has big wheels to help it roll easily over rough terrain, folds down easily and is reasonably priced. Check it out here on Amazon

The Schwinn Turismo Swivel Single Jogger is the best stroller for big kids in my opinion. Of course, my opinion comes with some experience and some of my own testing. There is no specific stroller that is designed for this purpose that I have been able to find. But our jogging stroller fits the bill very well.

All that you really need is the ability to carry a child that perhaps weighs more than an infant or toddler. Most jogging strollers are rated for at least 40 to 45 pounds. The reality is they can probably handle a little bit more than that but the manufacturer is going to err on the side of caution to make sure everyone is safe. That only makes sense. So if you have a stroller that’s able to hold a heavier child you are all set.

Big Seats

Another key component would be seats that are little longer then your typical stroller. Again, a unit such as the Schwinn Turismo single has seats that are larger than the standard 12 inches. They in fact approach almost 18 inches which makes them ideal for a child thats a little larger, especially one that is asleep. If you have ever seen a slightly larger child crammed into a mall stroller you will know what I mean. That can’t be comfortable.
The other resaon to go with a jogging stroller is that they tend to be a lot easier to push. When your child weighs 15 or 20 pounds it doesn’t really make much difference.

It’s Also A Jogger

But if you have a toddler that is growing fast and approaching 35 or even 40 pounds, then you are going to start to notice the difference. This is especially true if you tend to frequent nature trails, the beach or even snow packed trails. On uneven terrain and a softer footing the extra weight makes a difference. You big kids stroller needs the ability to bump over this stuff and those big wheels are key. The Schwinn has really great 16 inch wheels on the back and a 12 inch swivel wheel up front that also locks. Here’s the great thing about the Schwinn Turismo and that is it’s also a jogger! The reason it’s so tough and has these great features is because it’s a stroller designed for jogging. I’m not talking about flimsy light jogging. You can take this thing in a marathon or across any kind of terrain you can push it over. It’s stable and durable. Schwinn has been making bikes and the like for a very long time, they know how to build this stuff and build it right.

The Weight Trade Off

As you have probably guessed by now, it’s going to be heavier than a standard stroller It’s a downside for sure, but then again it also means it’s tougher than a standard stroller. And the weight is so bad, it runs a little bit more than about 30 pounds.

Great Foldability

To help offset the weight and make the stroller easy to stow, Schwinn has made sure it’s comes apart relatively easily. This is a real benefit, because not only does it mean it becomes lighter when loading it and unloading it, but it also means that it fits into a small car or minivan without any problem. Ironically it’s actually easier in my opinion to fold up and store than a lot of normal strollers.

The last thing you want to do after a long day at the mall is to carry a tired child. A trip to the amusement park is fun for the family, but you will have a lot less stress when you bring a shaded ride to recharge your child’s battery. Walking exercise is important and stimulating for your growing child, but even an older child will tire after walking for hours. The problem you face is finding a stroller that will accommodate your growing child comfortably and safely. At the same time, it is important to find one that is convenient to use. Jogging strollers are the best strollers for big kids.

When jogging strollers first came on the market, they were expensive and difficult to handle. Only the most dedicated runners considered them. The improvements made to the jogging strollers available today make them so versatile. With a strong aluminum frame, these strollers easily hold a child up to 45 pounds. A strong frame makes the stroller far more durable for heavier use. The tires are large, usually about 16 inches, and air-filled to provide a smoother ride. The frame and tires also make the jogging stroller easier to push. The fixed front wheel offers more stability for a steady, easy ride on uneven surfaces. With the sturdy frame and substantial wheels, this stroller should be called an all-terrain vehicle instead of a jogging stroller.

For more baby strollers for big kids reviews click here

The convenience of a good ride for a larger child does not stop at the frame. The seat is comfortably padded and roomy. Press triggers allow you to fold the stroller easily, and it will remain in an upright position after folding. Jogging strollers, designed for easy transport, fit in most standard-sized trunks. A hand brake controls the front wheel. Rear wheels have a foot-activated parking brake. The super grip, cushioned handle adjusts to your height, with a safety tether that attaches to the wrist. A built-in sound system allows you to listen to music and still hear your child.

Bigger kids present bigger challenges in life. They love their independence, but even big kids tire after extended activity. A jogging stroller offers the best of both worlds for a busy parent. Your child will have a safe, comfortable place to rest in a stroller that offers plenty of room for the extras you always seem to have with you. The Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller offers the convenience you need with the rugged build that will hold up to a big kid. Check out more about baby strollers for big kids reviews right here

Sometimes our kids even at 4 and 5 years olds get tired of walking and need a break. This is especially true if you do a lot of hiking, nature trails or biking like we do. Some people scoff at the notion that a bigger child might need a stroller. But any parent knows that there are those times when those little legs can’t keep up to ours. I mean lets face it, at 4 years old, our children’s legs are usually half the length of ours. My kids often fall asleep in the car on the way home from our outings in the afternoon. Clearly they are more exhausted then my wife and me and clearly they have different needs.

They’re Little – The Need A Break

A friend of ours has a clear need for a baby stroller for big kids. Their little guy, which is a very good natured little boy needs a stroller and I will tell you why. He is a ball of energy. At the mall he will go at high speed, run circles around everybody zip up and down the corridors of the mall. As a result, he needs to take a break every so often. He jumps in the stroller, in this a jogging stroller, takes a break then moves on to the next burst of activity.

Consider A Jogging Stroller – Schwinn Turismo Swivel Single Jogger

My wife and I spend lots of time outdoors doing lots of things. This means our young kids inevitably get tired and need to stop for awhile. Or we can put them in something with wheels. The latter is typically our first choice. And what we use is a jogging stroller. There’s a couple of reasons. First, they tend to be larger and travel over less than smooth terrain very well. Secondly, they are built to be tougher and as a result they can handle bigger kids. You will usually find that the weight rating is higher, usually 40 to 50 pounds. Make sure to check that of course, you want your child to be safe and not unintentionally break the thing as a result.

Heavy Duty Means Not Light

The one thing I have to warn you about is the weight. These units are not light. While a typical mall stroller might way 15 pounds or so, the average stroller for big kids is going to be at least 30 pounds and sometimes more. It stands to reason, really, they are built heavier to withstand harsher conditions and therefore there is more metal, heaver plastics, heavier fabric, better hingers and sturdier wheels.

Cool Extras

Here’s the really great thing about these units. Almost every one of them has some extras you don’t find in a normal stroller. They are geared for jogging, which by the way they are awesome for, but that also means they typically have a connector for your mp3 player and built in speakers! You will also find the cupholders and trays are standard and they are of high quality. Some of the other great features:

• Aluminum Frame – Strong and light as possible
• Sturdy Tray – Holds 2 cups, my coffee and my wife’s latte
• Rubber Handle – I find it much nicer then the standard hard plastic
• Suspension System – For Kiddie comfort, but makes bumping over things easier for me
• Locking Front Wheel – This really isn’t a big deal unless you are jogging, but it’s handy when you are

If what I have said makes some sense to you, then you should check out this unit on Amazon.com. Good prices and great return policy.