2.5 year old hates walking

[Plantlady10]

Looking for some advice on how to encourage my 2.5 year old to walk more - he has never been keen on walking and it just gets trickier the older he gets. We've never used a pram, just used a carrier with him. I now have a 2 month old baby too who I am also carrying. I have tandem carried but it's tricky when out on my own to be able to carry all the stuff I need too so mostly my 2 year old just has to walk. I'm not asking him to walk far, just to a local bus stop or park, or a bit around town.

So often I'm having to walk along with him whining and fussing, constantly asking 'up up up up' and ignores any of my attempts to distract him/make the walk fun. It's not a physical problem as he will happily run around places that are 'fun' and around the house

Should I cave and buy a buggy for him? It just feels old to be introducing that and I worry that he will then not walk at all and will get little exercise (he loves being in the carrier and would happily be carried in it all day so I guess he would be the same with a pram)

DS1 hated, and actually continues to hate, walking. Have you tried a balance bike or a scooter? We covered miles with a balance bike when DS1 was that age, despite the fact a balance bike doesn't seem wildly different to walking. DS1 was very compliant from a safety point of view though, and always stayed right beside me.

Agree with this. Scooter or bike all the way. Bright and breezy no love, only babies get carried and you are a big boy now.

Don’t let him get lazy.

I would get a pushchair. Something small like babyzen yoyo. You can use for second later on and can add buggy board later if you need both.

I think it’s a bit much making a 2.5 year old walk everywhere at adult speed and through town. At 2.5 years Ds walked a lot, he used balance bike also. But he also napped in pram sometimes still, and if long day needed a rest.

Also would suggest a push along trike, you can usually get them on Facebook marketplace or similar. Or just get a lightweight folding stroller, they're handy for carrying shopping anyway and you'll have it as an alternative to the carrier when the baby is older

Yes, balance bike or scooter.
Exercise is so important.
Finding a way to install it as a habit from a young ago is critical to help avoid inflammation, anxiety, stress etc.

The body will find a way to calorie burn X amount every day/week. It’s an unconscious bodily function, same as breathing.
If they’re not burned through movement, they are burned in an unhealthy way, causing stress to the body.

Honestly I would just get a buggy. It's unfair to expect him to walk just because you think he should walk especially when you admit he finds it tiring and difficult.

He will still get plenty of exercise even if he uses the buggy for some of the walk.

Seriously get a buggy. You're not a cart horse. Scooters are all well and good until they get tired and you're carrying the scooter too (which will whack you in the shin!)
Perfectly possible to use a buggy and have a fit and active toddler. 2 is still small. Mine refused a buggy from 3 but I'd still take it out for shopping/bags etc. and the odd day they'd get tired.