To take a beach trolley around London with kids in it?

[thesurreymum]

Planning a day out at the science museum on my own with DC in half term. They are 5 and 4 and we do not have a pushchair. Every time we go to London they get so tired walking around/tubes etc. can I take my beach buggy and when they've had enough I can push them around in it? It folds down and is on wheels so I can carry it when going on tubes etc. not sure if a it looks really silly and will be more faff than it's worth. Wwyd?

It's a nice idea OP, but not a good match to the intended location. These are very common in Denmark for kids in days out, lots of attractions and museums offer them for hire to lug around kids and picnics - however there are far fewer people than you'd encounter in London.

Genuine question for people who have an issue with older kids occasionally jumping in the buggy. Do you have a problem with kids going in cars for short journeys? I carried my 4 year old home on my shoulders yesterday because she was knackered; is that ok?

Is the issue the pram or the fact that a tiny person might get tired?

We have one of these for camping/festival holidays and while great for transporting children down to the beach they are hard to steer. Definitely wouldn’t be good for the middle of London.

I totally understand why a 4 and 5 year old would struggle walking all day. I would pick up a cheap compact stroller and they can take turns. :)

Someone who even thinks is might be ok

is going to be very inconsiderate in their every day life and sadly raise their children to be the same

I live in central London and have often seen people use those. It’s fine if you have the strength to pull it.

Those saying London is too busy for it are talking nonsense. It’s hardly any different from manoeuvring a buggy in a crowd and it’s really not that busy anywhere. Tourist numbers are still way down on pre pandemic levels.

I totally get why you’re considering in OP. Walking in London all day for a 4/5 year old is exhausting.

Couldn’t care less if you put your kids in a stroller, it’s no different to driving them around everywhere frankly and if it makes for a less stressful trip, go for it. Their legs won’t stop working in the meantime

but for the love of god, please do not use one of these, people will trip and end up on your children

i live in Copenhagen where there is a large uptick in the use of these and they’re a fucking nightmare (and it’s a much smaller city with smaller population and lifts at every metro station!) and are a massive hazard.

Those saying London is too busy for it are talking nonsense. It’s hardly any different from manoeuvring a buggy in a crowd

It isn’t though, the problem is the height. In a busy bustling city where people are generally rushing and certainly not looking at their feet, something that is shin height is an absolute trip hazard to people not looking where they’re going

Tube worker here.

Not a good idea, no.

A large part of the tube is still not accessible. There are narrow passages too. Outside, some parts of London have narrow pavements and you'll win no fans blocking them, nor crossings, nor side roads. Also, be prepared to have these things searched by security at museums and attractions. They may ask you to fold it up and put it in the cloakroom anyway.

Get a cheap pushchair.

Also, your kids will be at car exhaust level breathing in crappy fumes.

MrsSkylerWhite · 01/02/2022
10:08Stupid people are judgemental and not worth any headspace.

You said it @MrsSkylerWhite

I cant see you being let into alot of the attractions with that thing
Whats on your list too do perhaps we can help with the ittenary.

I wouldn't cope with that and two young children as I'd need to hold both hands?

Same as others. I took my children to London recently and they were shattered! My 6 year old was tired but no way to a beach trolley. Buy a cheap buggy.

Have you been to London before? That beach buggy will not be welcomed! For the price of it I’d buy a cheap buggy and a stand on board to attach to it or something scale back my plans.

A buggy is in front of you, higher and easy to steer. A beach trolley is pulled rather than pushed, out of your eyeline, lower and hard to steer. They are not remotely the same thing.

I'm not sure a beach buggy would carry the weight of two children. I knackered one once using it to transport bags of sand from my car to my garden.

Also, despite the practical difficulties of using in London, it would likely be very uncomfortable to sit in, even for a young child!

Do you not think they’d be a nightmare in the tube? A buggy folds up in a flick which you can do with one hand. I don’t fancy folding a beach buggy on a busy tube platform while watching a 4&5 year old.

Trolley not buggy...

Wow I was not expecting so many replies! I particularly love the comment where someone thinks I must be a very inconsiderate person and raising my children to be the same 😂. As I do not live in London and therefore don't visit frequently it is easy to forget how busy it can get. I do remember on my last trip though I saw someone pulling a child around in one and that's why I thought it may be an okay idea.

All feedback taken on board and to be an annoying and inconsiderate trip hazard I will be taking it with me to take my fat kids around in it. Jokes

Imagine going through someone’s old posts to check their weight/weight loss. Bizarre behaviour.

The OP says it folds up easily and is easy to carry. She might not even need to get on the tube.

Honestly, people treat London like it’s some sort of alien planet. Plenty of us love her with kids and get around quite easily with all sorts of weird and wonderful transport solutions. You should see the crazy ways some kids are transported to school in the morning. Whatever works. I think you’re all massively over thinking it because you think London is so incredibly busy and dangerous and complicated. It really isn’t.

OP you almost certainly won’t be the only parent using one. Ignore the scaremongers and worriers.

You won't actually be able to travel anywhere with that. It's too busy. And you'll just annoy everyone.

How far is the museum OP from your home?

Taking a 4 year old round NYC and expecting them to tour the place is a silly idea.