Best Stroller for An Older Child

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best stroller for older children is, I’d recommend the Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller.

Having older kids to wheel around can be a struggle. There are times when your big toddler needs to rest while you continue with your shopping list, or during your morning exercise. 

When my boy was in preschool, I was determined to find a stroller that could accommodate his size and simultaneously lighten my load. If you’re in the same predicament, don’t fear, I’ve found the best stroller for older kids plus a few more for you to take a look at.

Here are the strollers I will be reviewing:

• Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller
• Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
• UPPAbaby G-LITE Stroller
• Pockit Lightweight Stroller
• Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller, Black
• UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller
• Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand On Tandem Stroller
• Double Stroller Convenience Urban Twin Carriage Stroller Tandem
• Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller
• Keenz 7s Stroller Wagon
  

What to Look for in a Stroller for Older Kids

There are many reasons why you may need a stroller for a bigger child. Instead of using your old stroller on the verge of collapse from holding your not-so-little one, invest in a stroller for older kids that will get the job done. You can use it for longer, it will support their weight, and it will be easier for you to use.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind when searching for the best stroller for your older child.

What Is the Weight Limit and Capacity?

Finding a stroller that can handle the weight of your older kid is the first step. It is essential to check the weight limit when browsing for the right stroller. 

If you plan to keep wheeling around your big toddler until he or she is five or six, you may want to find one that has a capacity of 75 pounds or more. If you only need it for a year or two to last the preschool years, you might consider a stroller with a capacity of between 50–65 pounds.

If you are planning ahead, you may consider looking at the average weight of your growing child to help you buy a stroller that you’ll be able to use for a couple of years.

In addition to the weight of your child, also consider the weight of the stroller itself. A lightweight stroller may be more practical if you are transporting it around with you all the time.

How Tall and Wide Is It?

You’ll want to make sure that the seat is tall enough to fit your fast-growing kid. If it has a canopy, make sure they can sit comfortably without hitting their head. Many modern strollers are built to accommodate a tall, older child, but you want to be sure.

If you want your child to have some wiggle room, you may also want to consider the width of the seat. If your kid is cramped in a stroller, it could create more havoc for you.

How Comfortable Is It?

In addition to the height and width factors, you might want to consider other features that will add to the comfort of your child. Some strollers recline, which may allow your toddler to take naps and relax more easily. My sister’s son started having a harder time taking naps when he turned three, and she told me that the recline was a life-changer!

Canopies are important, especially if you will be taking your toddler outside in the heat. Some canopies have mesh that second as a peek-a-boo window for you to check in on your older kid at any time. I personally love being able to check on my toddler when we are strolling around. 

How Compact Is It?

No one likes a bulky stroller, especially if you have a big kid to haul around too. Something that is easy to fold up and throw in the back of the car or store in your closet is ideal.

Traveling with a toddler can be a challenge. Having a stroller that can be compact easily and checked on flights might be important for you. There are even single strollers for big kids that can fold up so small they can pass as carry on or fit in your bag!

Do You Have More Than One Kid?

If you have a big toddler and an infant or are expecting, you might consider the lightweight double stroller option. There are many to choose from, but in my opinion, the best one for an older toddler and an infant together would be the sit and stand stroller option. 

A sit and stand is a tandem stroller that allows for many seating options and can better accommodate the energy of children aged three to five years. When we had our baby girl, I preferred this stroller because our toddler had the option of standing in the back or sitting on the bench while she sat or slept in the front. He loved being able to jump on and off the stroller easily! 

What About All Your Stuff?

There are times when I simply don’t want to have to carry anything, and pushing a stroller with adequate storage space provides me that luxury. If you’re like me (and bring way too much), you may consider a storage basket that can hold your belongings as well as any snacks or items for your child.

If you are walking a lot or exercising with your kid, cup holders might be an essential feature for you as well. Some of them are a bit flimsy, so consider finding one that is sturdy enough to hold your water bottle or cup full of lemonade while you stroll your kid around the theme park.

My Top Stroller Reviews For An Older Child

Out of all the strollers, finding one to fit your fast-growing toddler can feel like a weight on your shoulders. Luckily there are some great options, if you know what to look for.

Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller

This stroller is top of the line, the best bang for your buck if you have one kid and love to take them outside.

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller’s weight limit is 65 pounds, so it should be able to hold your four, five, or even possibly six-year-old comfortably. The height is 43.5 inches, so there’s plenty of room for a tall toddler. The stroller itself weighs 22.49 pounds, which isn’t bad considering its durability.

This stroller folds quickly with one hand and can be easily transported or taken on days out. For my family, a travel-friendly stroller is essential. Having a stroller we can easily fold up and throw in the trunk is a serious bonus.

Adjustable handlebars make it easy to accommodate different heights for the parents. I’m just over 5 feet tall and my husband is a little over 6 feet tall, so that is an important option for us. Also, unlike most strollers, this one has a hand brake feature, which I also prefer.

Perfect for exercising, the wheels are all-terrain, which means you can easily take them on dirt or cobblestone without difficulty. This is an excellent feature if you are often out in nature or taking your kid off the beaten path through the park or old roads.

The canopy is extra-large, providing lots of shade coverage to protect your toddler. It also has two peek-a-boo windows, which help with ventilation and offer the option to see your kiddo. 

There is sufficient storage space to hold your belongings, although the storage basket is a bit restricted and difficult to access.

Another feature of this stroller is that it reclines back, allowing your kid the opportunity to take comfortable naps. The seat is padded for comfort and tall enough for older kids. 

One downside is that it doesn’t come with a drink holder, which is always a nice extra.

Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller

This stroller is decently priced for the features included. If you are very active, and especially if you are taking your child outside for morning exercises, this may be a good option.

The weight limit is 50 pounds and may be a good choice if your older toddler is small and doesn’t weigh a lot. It is about 41 inches tall, which is sufficiently tall. The stroller itself is 25.5 pounds, so it’s not the lightest, and might be a pain if you’ll be carrying it in and out of a car.

The Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller is easy to assemble and very easy to push and maneuver. However, folding and unfolding isn’t quite as easy. 

The bicycle wheels are super durable, which may be appealing if you are taking it on all types of terrain, including gravel. 

The reclining seat is padded to provide extra comfort for your restless toddler who may want to take some intermittent naps. 

This stroller has a lot of storage space, which is useful for carrying all your kid’s needs, as well as yours. There are two trays, one parent tray and one child tray. The parent tray has two cup holders and the kid tray has one.

To keep the sun from frying your little one, there is a highly adjustable sun canopy that can cover their entire face and protect them on hot days. The canopy is not very tall, though, and could be uncomfortable if your kid is on the tall side.

UPPAbaby G-LITE Stroller

This stroller is incredibly lightweight. It weighs only 15.2 pounds, and is easy to fold up and store. A carry strap is included for when you are transporting it around. This may be a great option if you plan to travel or haul this thing about all the time.

The UPPAbaby G-LITE Stroller has a weight limit of 55 pounds, and has a height of 45 inches, so it should be able to hold a tall older child comfortably.

The mesh seat allows for a nice breeze when the weather is hot. Additionally, the canopy is extendable and can help to provide shade to keep your kid cool. 

The recline feature is very slight and not particularly comfortable. The hammock-style seat provides hardly any back support.

This stroller also has a large storage basket and a removable cup holder so that you can carry around your belongings and extra snacks for your big kid. The cup holder is nice and sturdy, so you can put your lid-less drinks in there without spilling all over the place.

The handles are high enough to push easily. Let’s face it, no one likes to slouch down while strolling.

The stroller doesn’t stand on its own when folded, and the foot brake is not very easy to use, which could create some frustration.

Pockit Lightweight Stroller

The Pockit Lightweight Stroller is one of the most compact on the market.

It has a two-step folding design that makes it fold up so tiny, which might be a selling point for you if you are traveling and don’t want any hassle. It can work as a carry-on and even fit under the seat on your flight!

It is incredibly lightweight, weighing just 9.5 pounds. Yet it still has a maximum weight limit of 55 pounds. This can probably comfortably accommodate your three-year-old, or maybe even your four-year-old. It is 39 inches in height, so it may not be the right fit if your older child is tall and growing by the day. 

The recline feature is nice and allows for comfortable resting and naps, although the reclining straps are a bit clumsy to deal with. There is a canopy, but it is incredibly small, and does not provide much shade.

Steering is easy with a one-handle steering bar, and can accommodate a tall parent. There is a small storage basket to hold a few personal items. 

The front wheels swivel, making it easy to turn and maneuver around, and are relatively sturdy. The stroller itself is not very durable, however, and is built more for traveling and transporting.

Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller, Black

This is not the lightest on the market at 25.7 pounds, but for a jogging stroller it isn’t so much, especially if you consider durability and the wheel size.

The Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight Jogging Stroller has a generous maximum weight limit of 75 pounds and a height of 46 inches, which can accommodate a pretty big and tall older kid.

Despite this, it’s not the easiest stroller to open and fold, so you might want to keep that in mind.

The seat is high, and can be tall enough to double as a high chair when you’re out, as it can fit comfortably at the height of a table.

A large canopy can make taking long naps in the shade much more comfortable and protect your little one from the sun.

The wheels are great for all terrains and come with an air pump if they get low. They have great suspension, but apparently aren’t so secure, and can come loose or fall off if you don’t check them regularly.

The handlebars are adjustable for taller parents or couples of different heights. It is incredibly easy to navigate and maneuver, which is essential when you’re pushing a heavier child.

There is some room for storage, but not a lot, and it is a bit difficult to access.

It comes in four stylish colors, and there are convenient mesh pockets to stuff snacks, tissues, and toys in.

UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller

This stroller is not the cheapest on the market, but like its sister the G-Lite up above, it has some appealing features.

It has a weight limit of 55 pounds and a height of 45 inches, which could accommodate a tall toddler.

The UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller seat reclines back almost flat, which is great for naps. There is even space to hang toys. The seat is padded, adding some extra comfort to your kid’s strolling experience. The fabric is easy to wash, which is a nice added feature where children are concerned.

It is easy to fold and handle with one hand, which is great for anyone on the go (and aren’t we always?). Also, when folded, the stroller stands on its own. This feature comes in handy while transporting your toddler around and getting in and out of the carragraph].

Rubber front wheels make the ride smooth and easy to maneuver. This is a plus, especially when on different types of terrain.

There is a canopy, however, it is not very large and does not provide much coverage. There is no peek-a-boo window for you to see your child while pushing.

The foot brake needs to be pushed firmly and is a bit difficult to use.

Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand On Tandem Stroller

For a tandem, this stroller is at a great price point if you are on a budget. If you have two children to stroll around, one young or infant child and one big toddler, this may be your ideal scenario.

The weight limit of this stroller is 90 pounds. The stroller itself is 27 pounds, which is relatively light for a tandem. It is 41.5 inches in height, and can accommodate a tall toddler and a young one.

The Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand On Tandem Stroller includes a small bench in the back, which gives your older kid the option to sit or stand while you wheel them around. You’ll love this option if you’re older one is full of energy as it will give them a chance to take some chill time.

Swivel wheels make it easy to maneuver and can be locked or unlocked. The handlebar is angled down, which may feel a bit awkward to push.

Although it’s not the most durable, it can be used on most terrains, such as dirt or possibly cobblestone.

The canopy provides generous sunshade, which is great for hot and sunny days.

It includes a removable tray with a cup holder, which is perfect for snack time, although the storage basket is a bit small and difficult to access.

There is a car seat converter included if you would like the option of moving your smaller child directly from the car to the stroller, and visa versa.

Double Stroller Convenience Urban Twin Carriage Stroller Tandem

Here we have another tandem stroller for those of you who have two bundles of joy. The weight of this stroller is 21.5 pounds, which is very decent for a double stroller. The weight limit can reach well over 100 pounds, and it is built to accommodate a baby in the front and an old toddler in the back.

The Double Stroller Convenience Urban Twin Carriage Stroller Tandem will make it so your big kid can stand or sit happily in the back while your little one rides in the front.

Assembly is relatively quick, it’s easy to unfold, and it is great for traveling with two kids. It is a sturdy stroller and can handle both children safely.

It drives easily and is comfortable to push, although it is a bit wide. It is not the easiest to fold together, but once you’ve got the hang of it, the operation is pretty simple. It may be difficult to fit in the trunk of a small car.

The front seat reclines, which is nice for the baby and there is a shade attachment that can cover the bench seat as well, so that both kids have protection from the sun on sunny days.

The three-point seat belt for the older kid is secure on the bench, so this is good for your older child to safely ride.

Adequate storage space on this stroller will allow for you to bring everything you need along with you. If you are like me, this is a big selling point—especially when you have two.

Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller

According to the manufacturer, this stroller has a maximum weight capacity of over 100 pounds, although the forward-facing child weight limit is 50 pounds. Wow! That means you have more than 50 pounds left for storage.

The Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller itself is quite lightweight at only 14 pounds.

The height of the stroller is 41.2 inches, so it can handle a relatively tall child. This is probably an ideal stroller for a preschool-aged toddler.

It is straightforward to assemble and takes only a few minutes. The folding and unfolding is a breeze, and can be done with just one hand.

There is a detachable cup holder and phone holder included, although neither are very sturdy. A storage basket underneath and zipper pouches for storing snacks and other items provide plenty of space for anything you might need.

This is a comfortable stroller, with a cushy padded seat that reclines nearly all the way back for your child to take nice naps while you stroll. The footrest is a bit high, which could affect the comfort of your big kid if they have long legs.

If you and your partner are tall, or different heights, you may appreciate the tall handles on this stroller. There’s nothing worse than slouching when pushing a stroller, especially over a long day.

A five-point harness seat buckle is a great safety feature and can help ensure that your wiggly kid is secured safely in the stroller.

There is a large, extendable canopy that can provide generous shade for your passenger. It also includes a peek-a-boo window, which is perfect if you need to check on them.

This may be a great stroller to use for traveling or transporting around, although the carry strap it comes with is a bit small, so you may need to consider replacing it.

Keenz 7s Stroller Wagon

I thought I’d throw in this Keenz 7s Stroller Wagon because it has some unique and fun features for your older child.

This stroller wagon has a weight capacity of 110 pounds with lots of space. That means your big toddler can fit, and perhaps even two. When a friend is over on a playdate, let them both hop in for a ride.

There is plenty of space for snacks, cups, or toys in the wagon with them. There is even a cooler attachment that you can use if you want to keep things cold on hot days, as well as a cup holder for the parents.

The Keenz wagon is easy to maneuver, and you have the option of having the front wheels swivel or lock. That said, this is not the most compact and easy to fold stroller out there. It may not be the best option if you are looking for a travel-friendly option.

The handlebar can be adjusted to meet the height of you or your partner. You have the option to push or pull, which might be appealing to you. The footbrake is easy to use, even with flip flops!

The wagon is nice and padded, allowing for a comfortable bed for naps outdoors.

The walls are high enough on the wagon that your child can stand without tipping it over. This is a great option if you have a restless kid (or two), and want them to have more freedom to move around.

The peaked canopy is large and provides a sufficient amount of shade. It’s retractable if you don’t need it, and there’s a mesh sunscreen for the side, too.

So, What Is The Best Stroller For Older Kids?

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller wins best stroller for big kids for me! It’s a high-quality, lightweight stroller with enough space to accommodate an older child. It is easy to transport, and you can take it anywhere, and on any surface.

In terms of features, it’s got everything you could want with all-terrain tires, a one-hand fold, and a reclining seat.

If this one isn’t for you, I hope that these options can help you find a stroller that will best fit your needs and make your older toddler the happiest they can be.