So far, we've been making do with a single stroller for the 2yr old and making the 4yr old walk. But, we're looking at doing some events that are later in the evening and some longer trips, so I'm considering getting a sit and stand double (Joovy ultralight maybe?). However, this past weekend at the zoo, I noticed a family that had a collapsible/folding wagon as their choice of child transportation. The reviews I've read say that the folding ones are hard to steer, but the down side of the "regular" ones is that they're bulkier. Are wagons harder or easier to get kids in and out of? Would you (or do you) use one instead of a double stroller?
ETA: Keep those answers coming. These are all things my husband and I have debated. I think the wagon is in the lead right now :) We're in Tampa, so it's mostly flat. The 4yr does walk most of the time so it's mostly a "just in case" thing for her. We're looking at the Radio Flyer Family wagon because it has seat belts and fold down "table" option. And probably something we could use for longer than we can use a double stroller. Ideally, I guess we should have both!
If you can find a used Sit-n-Stand really cheap, go for it, but you will only get about a years use out of it. Most kids don't want to sit in a stroller once they are three. You can get a bit more use out of a wagon. Another option would be a double bike trailer/stroller.
Seems like a lot of weight for a wagon that you will have to pull around.
Can you perhaps look for a used one on the cheap? I see lots of ads for used strollers as well.
I'd go for the wagon. We have both and use the wagon all the time. The double stroller hardly ever. Both are bulky. But the wagon is way more practice for all ages after a year old. The only thing the wagon doesn't really do is provide a good place to take a nap like a stroller does. But since kids after 2 don't nap that much, its not worth the hassle of all thinks that come with a stroller... Folding up, unfolding, cleaning, storing, etc. Our wagon we just hose off outside and wala! Lots of storage too and cup holders as well. Plus they can get in and out independently. :)
It depens on your lifestyle. Are you outing a lot? Does your 2 y takes naps? I own both, I use bob double jogger for longer and more comfortable outings and wagon on short trips adter naps, trick or treating, community park and pool.
I say stroller only beacause some events are too crowded for wagons and they may not allow them if you plan on using it a lot then it'll be worth the investment
If possible I would get a nice sit-n-stand. You can resell it & get a good part of your investment back & hope to find a good deal on a wagon at a garage sale or something. They each have pros & cons. As someone said earlier , wagons aren't ideal in crowds but they are easier for kids to get in & out on their own. Also, you can kick the kids out & haul other stuff, if need be.
They both have their good and bad points and places where either one would be best.
For the mall, for general getting around that's not more than a few hours, for paved surfaces/smooth floor and for not taking up a huge amount of space in your truck/van - the stroller is great.
If we were going all day to a Renaissance fair (which meant going over grass, wood chips, uphill/downhill, over tree roots, etc) the wagon was a way better choice.
Our son could lie down and take a nap if he wanted to and it was great for holding everything we wanted without having to go back and forth to the car to get things.
Pulling a wagon with relatively large tires is much easier on uneven surfaces.
I have both the joovy ultralight and a collapsible wagon which I purchased for $55 at Sam's club. The stroller is very convenient for most venues. The only time I prefer the wagon is for short distances when I have a lot of things to carry (a soccer tournament when I have my 2 boys, chairs, diaper bag, and cooler). The wagon is much harder to pull and steer. The stroller is pretty easy to push through grass or on gravel. My 5 year old gets in and out of the Joovy easily. I have to take my 17 month old out. The only complaint I have about it is that the tray is difficult to remove. It doesn't just swing out of the way. You need to press buttons on both sides and pull really, really hard to take it off. This makes it almost impossible for a child to get in and out on his own.
Wagons are hard to steer, don't secure your kids (no seatbelts to contain an impulsive two year old), plus not as comfortable for the kids. I'd absolutely get a lightweight double stroller.
I think it is much easier to push a stroller than to pull a wagon. My arm gets tired a lot quicker with a wagon and it feels like more work.
If all of these events that you're planning are family events that you and your husband will attend, why not just get a super cheap, super simple umbrella stroller for the 4 year old? That way, he can ride in it when he's tired and you can either push it or fold it up and carry it when he's not. You might even be able to stick it underneath the regular stroller you already have.
Super cheap, super simple, super light: http://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Umbrella-Stroller-without-But...
We had a "riding board" for our single stroller that our older child could stand on. (We had a Bugaboo Frog stroller, but I think they make riding boards for other types of strollers, too.) If/when our older child didn't want to ride, we would just fold the riding board up, and we had our regular single stroller. It worked well for us.
Wagons never worked for me, not even in the store, because the handle is not long enough for us. My husband and I are both tall, and having to haul a heavy wagon with one arm behind, while bending backward was a no-go for us.
Here are some examples of the riding board: https://www.google.com/search?q=stroller+riding+board&...
Pushing is way way way easier than pulling up hill, holding it from rolling down hill, etc...my shoulders hurt after pulling a wagon load of kids around all day.
I'd rather have both arms facing the front and being able to push stuff up hill and hold it tight on the down hill.
I loved my double stroller. It had 2 seats, one in front of the other. I took it everywhere, even shopping at Walmart and to lunches. It was easy easy easy to pop it out of the back and unfold it. Then push away.
If you have a friend that has one borrow it so you can get a feel for it.
A large wagon is over $100 and you should be able to get a simple double stroller for not much more than that. I'd take the stroller any day of the week and turn down the wagon. I just hated keeping one arm in back of me and pulling that weight.
We always used a wagon for 3 and 7 yo. We got one of the ones with the rubber tires and wooden side rails- just better ride for the kids and they can't fall out. It doesn't fold down or anything, so we just load it in the back. The kids love riding in the wagon, but it can be a pain if you are at an event/place where it's crowded. But for outings with room and places to walk, I recommend the wagon.
Here's the one we have.
http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-All-Terrain-Steel-Wagon...
Well, if you go with the wagon, it will still be good for something when your kids would outgrow a stroller...
How much room do you have in your vehicle for it?
With a wagon, a kid can fall out of it. Especially if the kid is not the sit still type.
At that age of 4 however, my kids did not want to be in a stroller.
But they were too big for a wagon.
And they walked. Wanted to.
And if they needed to rest, we simply stopped to rest.
My kids are 4 years apart.
Then, if one kid is in the wagon, the other will want to be in it too.
You do not need a double stroller! Wagons work well for the couple of times you might need it. 99.9% of time 4 year old can walk.
