At what age did you stop using a stroller all together for your child?

[Bete]

First, I'm assuming the child is healthy enough to walk.

Second, I know I will get different ages; everyone is not the same.

I'm just trying to get an idea of when to start trying.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We went to Disney for the first time when my daughter was nearing 4-1/2 years old and she walked the entire time we were there, which was wonderful because by the time we came back to the resort (and sometimes even at the bus line) she was fast asleep.

 

[jormom1030]

Regular life-5. Disney-7

 

[TravelandLeisure]

The last time we used one at WDW was when my daughter was 4.

 

[Sara_H]

We tend to make a trip to Florida every year but we stay at the beach. Many times we would drive in for the day and go to MK and we always got a stroller. Even if the kids didn't use if the entire time, it was nice to have when needed. I'd much rather pay to rent a stroller than deal with a crabby tired kid. Last year we went for our first week long trip to Disney and my kids were 7 and 9 and we did not get a stroller. Both kids walked and did fantastic, except for the last day my 7 year old tired out and ended up getting a piggyback ride through EPCOT. I should add that we stopped using strollers at home or anywhere else when my youngest was about 4 or so...Disney is a whole different ballgame.

 

[Searc]

We never used a stroller at Disney. Our first trip was when our youngest had turned 5 a few weeks before. I never considered one.

 

[sharonabe]

We also did not use one when our youngest was 4. He had no problem walking all day.

 

[tcufrog]

My both kids were 4 when we stopped using a stroller at home. We went to WDW when DS12 was 6 and DS8 was 2. We rented a double stroller then. My DH didn't think we needed it until he saw both kids fall asleep in it on the last day. It was the only time we ever used a double stroller. We didn't even own one at home. When DS 8 was a baby, I kept an Ergo in the basket of the stroller. The rare times DS12 was too tired to walk, I wore his baby brother so my older son could ride.

 

[EEEEE]

We used a stroller up to 6 years old. After that, each kid carries a backpack with whatever they need for the day.

Note: We're not a family that rushes around or tries to do too much in a day so we're always moving at a pretty leisurely pace and just enjoying being there. We get our 3 fastpasses in and just go with the flow other than that. If I had a busy day with a lot of things booked and a lot of rushing around then I would probably use a stroller up until at least 8 years old because it's hard for the little ones to keep up with a fast pace for a long time.

 

[Searc]

My both kids were 4 when we stopped using a stroller at home. We went to WDW when DS12 was 6 and DS8 was 2. We rented a double stroller then. My DH didn't think we needed it until he saw both kids fall asleep in it on the last day. It was the only time we ever used a double stroller. We didn't even own one at home. When DS 8 was a baby, I kept an Ergo in the basket of the stroller. The rare times DS12 was too tired to walk, I wore his baby brother so my older son could ride.

If I was being pushed around, I'd fall asleep, too. Almost everyone could use a nap at Disney, regardless of age.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We went when DD was 5.5. We went in August so it was very hot. We went in with the plan of not taking a stroller but if she needed it we would rent one. She stopped using strollers at home around 3-4 years old. Well we did the parks everyday, RD, midday break at the pool and back for a PM park. She never complained. She went with the flow and loved every minute. She fell asleep once after Wishes and her father carried her out.

DS used one at 2 and 3. We went back when he was 9 and DD was 3 (next trip was when seh was 5) and he would try to schmooze into her stroller but we didn't allow it. Way too heavy pushing a kid that big!! No way was I pushing that weight in a park in August.

Once you go strollerless it's a whole new world! And bagless!

 

[MadMadamMim1]

At home, we stopped needing one at 3.

At Disney, we rented one last time we went when my older daughter was 6. It was so hot and it was easier for her to just hop in and we zoom to the next location. She fell asleep in it numerous times, including after a late night at MNSSHP. My husband would have been carrying her otherwise! Trip next year she'll be 9 and walking the whole time and I bet complaining but at 9 she can deal with the walking!!! My youngest will be almost 3 and we will definitely have a stroller. She takes off in the blink of an eye!

Disney is a different ballgame than everyday. Heat + Crowds + Over-stimulation.

 

[smiths02]

Disney/Universal or a major local attraction (e.g., all day at the zoo)-We stopped bringing it at all about 6

Age 5 was use it sometimes, depended on the heat, length of the day's activities, and how much stuff I wanted to carry (We used it at Disney, for instance, and would bring it to the zoo to carry lunch).

Honestly, I was never a big stroller user with any of my children. We did a lot more wearing (Ergo), letting them walk, or just carrying them (daddy shoulder rides). By around 2.5, none of my children were regular stroller users. So I might not be the best to give advice.

 

[gtpoohbear]

My DD"s first trip was at 4.5, and at that point we hadn't even owned a stroller in 2 years so it would not have occurred to me at all to use one. It was summer, so we were taking long mid-day breaks from the heat, and never in the park more than 4-5 hours at a time. She never once complained about the walking or tired feet.

When we later had DS, his first trip was at 2.5 and we did bring a stroller, but only used it a couple of times. He was much happier being free to walk and explore, so we mostly just went at his pace, and I carried him briefly when we needed to hurry along. But he did nap in the stroller occasionally. Two years later, on a trip when he was 4.5, we rented a stroller because we were planning some late nights, and I knew he wouldn't last until 1-2am without it. DH thought it was a little ridiculous (again, we had long since gotten rid of ours), but it came in handy in the late hours and allowed us to enjoy some less crowded time in the parks.

In general, I don't think most kids "need" a stroller past about 5, but there are a lot of fluctuating variables that can affect that. (And needing isn't always the same as wanting, and there's nothing wrong with that!) Obviously kids who are used to walking more are less likely to need it, but it also depends a lot on their personality and how independent they like being. I know one time at 3 years old, my DD almost threw a fit because her grandparents suggested that she ride in a stroller (that had been brought for her 4 year old cousin). She was horrified that they thought she was a "baby" for needing a stroller, and was mortified at the thought that someone might see her in it, lol! Whereas, DS at 4.5, was plenty happy to ride once he got tired, and it would not have occurred to him to feel embarrassed about it. To this day, that still very much sums up their personalities!

One thing to keep in mind - you can always try going without and if you end up changing your mind, you can rent one in the park. It's a little pricey, but at least you aren't committed to keeping up with it all day/week, and transporting back and forth.

 

[luvmy2babies]

First child didn't go to Disney until age 7. I had a stroller for my youngest who was 10 months old at the time. She was under the weight limit and I had a carrier so she rode in it occasionally during that trip. Usually while we were waiting for the bus at the end of the day because I would put my son in the carrier for the ride.

2nd child his last trip to Disney with a stroller was age 4. The next two years we didn't go. Pretty sure I would have had one at 5. Maybe not 6. Just because he based on his activity level around then probably could have handled it. When we returned when he was 7, I didn't get one. He mentioned maybe twice it would have been nice to have one; but he mainly wanted it for the shade. It was definitely an adjustment as far as carrying things; but other than that, I love being stroller free, especially when dealing with transportation.

We take a lot of breaks. We go in the summer so those breaks are necessary to keep cool and hydrated.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Somewhere around 3 years of age for both of them and the stroller was a thing of past. Never took any of them to Disney anywhere until much older.
Their family vacations were hiking, bicycle camping and a summer cottage in Cape Cod until about the age of 15 for the oldest; I suspect Disney would have been easy for them to walk but that's an activity they did a lot at home as well. They are now in their late 30's and mid '40's.

DGD was out of her stroller by 3 y/o as well. Her first trip to WDW she was 11-ish. Her prior vacations w/ us were tent camping starting at the age of 1.5 or 2. Our trips lasted up to a month in the summer. Living in NYC she's an able walker as well.

I suspect families who are car dependent in their daily life are not as interested in walking as those who are pedestrians and rely on public transport.

Never found Orlando's weather to be a major hindrance to walking but I'm used to similar weather at home.

 

[MooseBucks]

We don’t tend to use them at home but do at Disney biggest plus we find is the shade for the littles! We do lots of rushing here and there and have a 6, 3, and baby so we bring our double stroller but the 6 yo only uses it occasionally for shade at this point or to eat a snack on the go.

I’m thinking when the youngest is 5/6 we’ll probably stop bringing one until then we enjoy the convenience of needing extra kid outfits and snacks but not wearing a backpack (which I can’t do for long periods)

That said and all kids are different and it’s not worth judging or comparing (not that OP is I just wanted to add that)

ETA: if your asking just in general at home like shopping,the park, or short walks to the playground etc probably around 2 but longer zoo etc trips 4/5... I like having a place to keep them if crowds get nutty so I can keep an eye on them

 

[ChanMom]

My kids were done with strollers by age 2 1/2, although honestly we never used them that much anyway I was more of a babywearer. However, I did take one to WDW last summer when my youngest was 4 and will be bringing again next week for our trip even though he's 5. That's a lot of walking for little legs in the heat and neither of us wants to carry him.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Disney/Universal or a major local attraction (e.g., all day at the zoo)-We stopped bringing it at all about 6

Age 5 was use it sometimes, depended on the heat, length of the day's activities, and how much stuff I wanted to carry (We used it at Disney, for instance, and would bring it to the zoo to carry lunch).

Honestly, I was never a big stroller user with any of my children. We did a lot more wearing (Ergo), letting them walk, or just carrying them (daddy shoulder rides). By around 2.5, none of my children were regular stroller users. So I might not be the best to give advice.

Same here. By 3 they were done. DS used his stroller to mostly give us adults a break. He was very very hyper and sometimes I had to put him in the stroller to get a breather and a mental break. DD was happier walking everywhere, the zoo, aquarium, etc. We mostly used the stroller for her to nap and to hold her stuff.

 

[Sandiz08]

Last time used was age 5 and never looked back. 6 years old was first trip without.