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Original poster

School run with 2.5 year old

33 replies

adaptiveness · 09/10/2021 06:32

I am looking for a school run solution for my 2.5 year old. It's a mile each way, along narrow pavement. Walking both ways, twice a day, is a bit too much for him.

More importantly, I need to give my older child some focused attention on the way to/from school.

Backcarrying in a sling would be ideal, but quite heavy for me. I was thinking maybe a lightweight ride on toy that I could push with one hand? Maybe a very small pram. The goal is to be very lightweight, easy to hop on and off, and can be operated with one hand.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
TheChild · 09/10/2021 06:35

At that age I used the mini scooter mini deluxe, it has a detachable seat and handle that you push one handed. Not cheap, but DD loved it, it was easy to push (after you got used to the steering) and now she is older she uses it as a normal scooter.

Bunnycat101 · 09/10/2021 07:16

I’m finding the school run quite hard with my 2yo. It’s off road and v hilly so not really suitable for a buggy or scooter. I’ve been trying to park half way and practice more focused walking, hand holding etc. unless you’ve got a buggy I think you’ll struggle with focused attention for the older one for a little while yet. I’ve seen some very light weight mini balance bikes that might suit but the tiny ones don’t seem to have handles. A smart trike might work but they’re not particularly light.

TeenMinusTests · 09/10/2021 08:18

At that age I used a pushchair.
On the legs with the eldest, younger was in pushchair so i could focus on eldest. On the legs without eldest the younger could toddle gently or go in the chair.

Why one handed? Elder one can either hold the side of the buggy, or can hold the handle and you have hand on top.

Plus eldest's bag can go under buggy too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

2 year olds Behaviour & development Families
mdh2020 · 09/10/2021 08:20

I used a pushchair. No arguments - toddler knew that was the routine. He could walk and meander on the way home.

Kaffiene · 09/10/2021 08:26

Another vote for a buggy too. Our walk is less than that and my 3 year old still prefers the buggy especially on cold, wet mornings. So much faster and less stressful for everyone.

Xmasbaby11 · 09/10/2021 18:30

We used a buggy until 3. Just simpler.

Himawarigirl · 09/10/2021 18:34

Buggy here too. We walk pretty much everywhere else but he knows we use the buggy to get to school with my older too. But my friend swears by this micro trike www.micro-scooters.co.uk/browse-trikes

namechanging202020 · 09/10/2021 18:36

A trike ?

eddiemairswife · 09/10/2021 18:38

Surely, a push-chair is the obvious solution.

Tatum1234 · 09/10/2021 18:39

Mine were in a pushchair until they were 4 on the school run. Far easier.

SleepingStandingUp · 09/10/2021 18:40

Narrow pavement - what kind of roads? And how narrow?
Honestly I'd just get an umbrella buggy

Milkbottlelegs · 09/10/2021 18:43

Pushchair or pushalong trike.

stripetop · 09/10/2021 18:45

Three in one trike then he can use it as a trike when handle comes off when bigger

user1493494961 · 09/10/2021 18:46

Just put him in a pushchair.

DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 09/10/2021 18:47

A pushchair
Especially with rainy cold weather coming

Lots of those trikes are a bloody pain to manoeuvre

Blankscreen · 09/10/2021 18:49

Scooters are great but not on a marrow pavement and you won't relax for a minute

I would go for a buggy and then practice on each way without elder child walking skills to build stamina etc

GenderApostatemk2 · 09/10/2021 18:50

Trike definitely, I bought a Little tikes one for my Grandson (2 years 2 months) he adores it.

EcoCustard · 09/10/2021 18:52

My 2.5 year old scooters or balance bikes the school run. We walk the stretch along the road and he holds my hand then off down the footpath with siblings. The trike was a faff and gave up on the buggy in the summer holidays.

Soubriquet · 09/10/2021 18:55

Just use a pushchair. Mine was 3 before he gave up the buggy. Was just easier for everyone

BendingSpoons · 09/10/2021 19:03

We have a Babyzen Yoyo which is easy to push one handed as it has one handlebar. Not cheap though. We also have a Globber ride on scooter. DS loves it and it gives him independence to push himself part of the way. However it takes a while to get the hang of steering it and DS can career along on it at times, so less relaxing than the buggy!

QuornSausagesAreTheDevilsPenis · 09/10/2021 19:19

Pushchair. Can sit in it while you're walking with sibling, then when it's just the 2 of you small one can walk.

2bazookas · 09/10/2021 19:25

lightweight folding push-chair, maybe second hand? Then you can at least walk TO school at a reasonable pace and get there on time.

On the way home, toddler can walk at his pace.

Original poster
adaptiveness · 09/10/2021 19:30

If I use a pushchair, older child will have to walk behind me, as there isn't room. Not sure if I can explain this right, but the pram takes up the whole of the pavement width. So if I'm pushing the pram, I need to stand in the middle of the pavement, and there is not room for older child to walk next to me.

I was thinking a push along scooter or something would take up less space, allowing me to walk on one side of the pavement. And so give room for the eldest to walk next to me and have a chat. Plus I'd have hold of the scooter, so no need to worry about losing the little one.

Not a resounding endorsement of push along scooters on this thread though. Maybe I'll go with a toddler carrier/sling instead. I'm pretty confident with back carries for toddlers.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 09/10/2021 19:30

Definitely a buggy at that age for a mile!

Comedycook · 09/10/2021 19:31

Oh read your dilemma!