For some toddlers strollers just don’t do it for them. They may want to be closer to their parents by being carried (a heavy option for you) or they just simply want to be free to have fun.
If your toddler is a little mischief but you’re not one to stay at home where the little one can run wild then maybe you just need a different means of transportation for your toddler?
You might not even be aware of all the alternatives to a stroller that are out there which is why here is a list of the best suggestions I made for you.
The 5 stroller alternatives:
- Shoulder Carrier – this alternative is a seat with safety straps that allows the parent to carry the toddler on top of their shoulders with extra support.
- Foldable Wagon – a narrow and easily collapsible wagon suitable to carry more than one child.
- Standing Child Carrier – this stroller alternative is made up of shoulder straps with a bar hanging down below it for the child to stand on.
- Hip Seat – it helps carry a baby or toddler for shorter periods of time. Hip Seat has a wide waistband with padded shelf-like seat which a toddler sits on.
- Unirider – the lightweight one-wheel alternative to a full-size pushchair develops balance and core strength of the toddler and requires effort from the parent pushing the unirider.
I know… I was as amazed as you are now by all these alternatives that exist. I didn’t have a single idea about their existence before researching and having a chance to test them out.
While picking out the best suggestions available now, I considered things like weight and size of the item (extremely important while travelling), using carriers during different types of journeys (from hiking to city exploration), and, of course, the comfort for the toddler and, most importantly, you – the parent who’s going to be carrying the little one.
Some types of carrier alternatives have obvious winners within the marketplace and others I chose in consideration to the price/quality ratio and mine and others’ experiences using them.
I suggest you consider all of the factors above, too, while reading and deciding which carrier to get for your next trip with toddler. Now, onto the winners:
1. Shoulder Carrier
If your little one loves being carried on your shoulders, a shoulder carrier is exactly what you need. It’s a carrier with lots of safety straps that goes onto your shoulders providing the best view for the baby. Parents use it for a simple walk in the city or even a short hike in the mountains.
MiniMeis G4
For 6 months – 4 years old toddlers and up to 18 kg
Product dimensions (folded): 30x30cm
Item weight: 1kg
MiniMeis G4 is the No.1 shoulder carrier created by two Norwegian dads. The carrier is designed to have weight distribution and plenty of belts and straps to keep the baby safe.
MiniMeis G4 compact size and ability to fold like a laptop makes it an appealing product that weighs only 1 kg. There’s a sunshade available and together with the carrier they easily fit into a carry-on suitcase. There are different colours available.
Pros & Cons of MiniMeis G4 shoulder carrier
| PROS | CONS |
| lightweight and compact packaging | might cause collarbone, shoulder or neck pain |
| great views for the toddler | limited sizing (might not fit for wider chest and shoulders) |
| great for hiking | |
| easy and quick to set up |
2. Foldable Wagon
My first suggestion is a wagon that folds up like a stroller. A cross between a wheelbarrow and a golf buggy, the Foldable Wagon is perfect for toddlers who like to be the captains of their own journey as they can pretend to be driving their own car.
The foldable wagon is a great option if you have a bigger family or an older kid as it caters for an age range from 18 months to 10 years (depending on the brand) and can even carry multiple preschoolers.
The best thing about it is that it still folds up small enough to fit in the boot of a car. However, you should take into account that even lightweight wagons are heavier than strollers, thus pulling them with the weight of the toddlers inside can become a proper exercise.
Radio Flyer 3957A EZ Folding Wagon
For 1.5+ years and up to 68kg
Product dimensions: 40.9D x 21.3W x 40.5H centimetres
Item weight: 10kg
Better suited for toddlers and older children, The Radio Flyer Folding Wagon is a strong and sturdy, yet lightweight alternative to a stroller.
The Radio Flyer Folding Wagon is suitable for different weathers and has a UV-blocking canopy to keep your toddler protected from the sun and a waterproof hood that performs well when it’s windy.
Your toddler will be safe and sound with a seatbelt on and even two drink holders available. The downside of The Radio Flyer Folding Wagon is that there is no break, so don’t leave your toddler on top of a hill as they might venture on a ride of their own.
Pros & Cons of Radio Flyer 3957A EZ Folding Wagon
| PROS | CONS |
| fits two small toddlers (great with twins) | no breaks |
| easy to use | no rain cover |
| great with sensory-sensitive children (you can throw a blanket over the canopy) | heavy |
| enough room to lie down for a smaller child | |
| robust over grass and mud | |
| waterproof |
3. Standing Child Carrier
Another option that I’d like to recommend is a stand-up child carrier backpack. Unlike your usual baby carriers, this is one for that eager toddler that can’t keep still. In this carrier, they stand up rather than stay in a sitting position while being carried.
I’ve always found child carriers useful when you don’t want to drag a bulky stroller but you also know your toddler isn’t going to just walk everywhere you want.
A standing child carrier is perfect for sightseeing trips with toddlers as they are given a chance to see the world from a whole new perspective from the eyesight of an adult.
The Piggyback Rider Scout
For children 2-4 years and up to 23kg
Product dimensions (folded): 18 x 4 x 4 cm
Item weight: less than 1.3 kg
A stroller with its weight and size has nothing compared to The Piggyback Rider Scout. Weighing only a little over 1 kg, it’s a compact, lightweight, yet sturdy alternative that can be used to carry children even up to 27kg.
The multi-award-winning product is an effortless way to carry your child on your back, though if you still need extra support there is a hip belt extension available to buy (especially recommended for kids over 11 kg).
However, before committing to buying the Piggyback Rider Scout, try it out to see if it suits you and your toddler, especially their feet positioning on the bar and whether there’s enough room for them and if they feel comfortable.
Pros & Cons of The Piggyback Rider Scout standing child carrier
| PROS | CONS |
| easy to use | no use for when the toddler is tired |
| toddlers enjoy being up high | the bar might dig into the carriers back (depending on the height of the carrier) |
| compact, fits in a big purse or backpack | strenuous when carrying a heavier child |
| great for hikes |
4. Hip Seat
A hip seat baby carrier is a child carrier where the child sits in a seated position on the carrier keeping their hips in a safe neutral position. Your toddler’s weight is distributed across your back and pelvis region, helping to prevent lower back pain.
Just like with any carrier, you need to consider the weight of the equipment in addition to your kid’s body weight, however, with the hip seat, you don’t need to worry about things like waiting for lifts or the space that the usual stroller takes up.
Most importantly, try out the hip seat before you buy it or are able to return it in case you or your toddler don’t find it comfortable.
SONARIN Multifunctional Hipseat Baby Carrier
For babies 0-36 months and up to 20kg
Product dimensions (unfolded): 16 (seat L) x 23 (seat W) x 20 cm
Item weight: 380 Grams
The SONARIN Multifunctional Hipseat Baby Carrier comes in a range of colours making sure you will find the one you like and has a night safety reflector for adventures in the dark. Perfect for busy bees or single parents, the Sonarin Hipseat carrier is easy to put on, taking just 1 second to do so.
There are also convenient small side pockets to carry items that you need easy access to. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a carry bag.
Pros & Cons of SONARIN Multifunctional Hipseat Baby Carrier
| PROS | CONS |
| a relief for those with backache | the strap can be strenuous |
| fast to put on | the seat can slip if not well adjusted |
| arms do not get tired | only for smaller children |
| one hand free | |
| easily removable cover, thus easy to wash |
5. Unirider
Unirider is a unique lightweight alternative to a stroller perfect for short trips. Similar to a balance bicycle/tricycle, it consists of a small wheel with a handle for the child to hold on to and a longer pole with a handlebar for the adult to push it.
Almost like a core exercise for your little one, riding a unirider helps your toddler develop balance and have fun while getting to a destination quicker.
Mountain Buggy Unirider
For 2-5 year old toddlers up to 25 kg
Item weight: 3kg
Product dimensions: 50H x 123L x 20W cm
Designed by a dad, The Mountain Buggy Unirider was a dream come true for parents to have fun while going out with their toddlers. The aim of the Mountain Buggy Unirider is to stop frustrated toddlers from being confined to a stroller and add some fun to travelling with them.
It is even suitable for jogging and for use on all terrains. It may take some time to get used to the unirider for both you and your toddler to keep balance.
Mountain Buggy Unirider is probably better for a shorter journey or as a fitness routine as it can get a bit harder to push, especially with a heavier kid.
Pros & Cons of Mountain Buggy Unirider
| PROS | CONS |
| tough and durable for bumpy roads, grass, and trails | difficult to inflate |
| the toddler finds it fun | might be hard for the toddler to adjust |
| easier to steer and more compact compared to a bicycle or tricycle | |
| toddler easily gets on and off the unirider |
Which stroller alternative to go for in the end?
As you can see the range of alternative strollers is wide. Before choosing an alternative to a stroller for your toddler you should evaluate your own physical strengths and weaknesses, what kind of travelling you’ll do and if you’d like to keep it for everyday use when you’re back from the trip.
My personal all-time favourite is the MiniMeis G4 shoulder carrier. I’m not gonna lie, at first, when we got the carrier, my shoulders were not as strong as my partner’s so he’d last much longer than I did.
Nevertheless, I have a nostalgic attachment to being carried on shoulders as a little girl. That’s why I’m so happy to bring the same joy to my toddler when I put him on my shoulders, except now he’s safely strapped and can be carried for much longer thanks to MiniMeis.
If you have a toddler that hates being in a stroller and I certainly know a few then why not try out one of these options and I’m sure the best fit will help your trip with toddler go smoother.
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