Take them beyond the toddler years in one of the best kids' wagons.
Photo: Courtesy of Amil Niazi
Once your kiddos graduate from the stroller stage, you’re still going to want something to haul them around in, whether you’re hitting amusement parks on the reg or just going for long neighborhood walks with the dogs. The best kids' wagon is comfortable, safe, roomy enough for them (and all their things), folds up easily, and pushes and pulls like a dream.
We also love wagons with all the little extras, like cupholders for your morning coffee and their drink collection, extra large sun canopies, and pop-on storage baskets for holding snacks, beach toys, and sports equipment.
From luxury stroller wagons with space for four to cool, compact wagons you can easily fit in the trunk, we’ve rounded up the best kid’s wagons for wherever you’re going. They're miles beyond the red Radio Flyer wagons we had as kids (though we still like those for local play).
Regardless of your children’s ages, Jamie Grayson, a CPST and well-known expert in the baby gear space, recommends considering how the wagon folds and if it will fit into your vehicle. “Some wagons are great, but they fold up and are still large,” he says. If you plan on storing yours in the open position in your garage and only using it around the neighborhood, this may be a non-issue for your family.
“Look at things like canopies, weight limits, storage, and some will also allow you to put an infant car seat on them if that’s important,” he notes. Considerable legroom with several added inches is a biggie for older kids too. If you can, have them sit in one in-store to test it.
Easy steering is a must. “Some wagons you can only pull and not push. If you want the ability to do both, which comes in handy in sand and rougher terrain, get an appropriate wagon,” advises Grayson. Be sure it’s easy to steer with your kids sitting in it.
This is one of the roomiest kids' wagons with loads of built-in storage space. Kids comfortably sit with plenty of legroom to spare in the spacious Larktale Caravan. "The quality is great, it has a footwell, you can push or pull it, and the fold is pretty solid for a wagon of its size," says Grayson.
We love the dual full-coverage sun canopies, which provide ample shade on a warm day. Kids find it fun to pull them both down to create their cozy hideaway from their parents too.
All the extras, like a self-leveling cupholder, deluxe rain cover, and large storage basket, are included. Bring friends along for the ride—the Caravan converts into a four-seater with double seat kits sold separately.
The seats (which can hold up to 93 pounds per side!) feature multiple recline positions, and the leatherette handlebar is adjustable to the perfect height for whoever is pushing or pulling. We love all the fun color options.
Everything you love about a stroller with all the perks of a pull wagon. The Baby Trend Expedition comes "at a terrific price point, has a nice handlebar and pull handle, and even includes a car seat adapter," says Grayson.
Unlike many of the newer kids' wagons, we love the specific handles for each mode (push or pull), making it easier for parents to maneuver in either. The pull handle even discreetly tucks away beneath the wagon when not in use.
Another solid selling point is all the accessories included. Enjoy an attachable storage basket and parent console with cup holders to a snack tray (with more cupholders). Two cupholders that attach outside the wagon because you can never have enough drinks. The wagon comes with an extra cushion too, which converts into a tiny bed for naps on the go.
There's nothing worse than trying to fold a heavy wagon in the hot sun when your kids are fighting and you've just walked 10,000 steps at the zoo and are beyond done. Enter the Veer Cruiser. "Not only is this a powerhouse of a stroller wagon, but the fold is unmatched," says Grayson.
For families looking to bring their kids' wagon with them everywhere, the Veer is an excellent choice. Only one hand is needed to collapse the walls and the handlebar, while the wheels pop off in just a couple of seconds to fit in your trunk. It's also super compact for storage purposes and can be gate-checked just like a stroller by most airlines.
Another standout feature we love about the Veer is that when it gets dirty you can just whip out your water hose and hose the entire thing down or, you know, turn it into a fun game and make the kids do it.
Another luxe lightweight wagon we're obsessed with is the Joey. It's gorgeous, is a joy to push and it is one of the lightest kids' wagons on the market at only 32 pounds. It's so light that grandparents won't have much trouble loading it in and out of the car. It fits in the trunk of a Mini Cooper, y'all.
"This is the best, best, best compact wagon out there," writes one Amazon reviewer. "Yes, it is expensive, but it is so compact and very manageable in weight. I am 69 years old and I have two grandchildren, and I can take this in and out of the car easily when we go to the park or to the zoo. When my grandchildren are not in town visiting me, I can store this in my garage and it takes no space."
Each seat holds up to 55 pounds, and the Joey does come with quite a few accessories, including one UPF 50+ sun canopy, a large cup holder, inside pockets, a kids' snack tray, a storage basket, and a key holder.
Hitting the beach with kids is a whole thing, but the Jeep Wagon Stroller is sure to make the process a little less painful (on your back, especially). Load this bad boy up with all the towels and sand toys you can fit. Stash snacks and drinks in the included cooler, which can hold up to 16 cans. Stuff a change of clothes for the kids, sunscreen, your cell phone and keys, and all the other random stuff you'll bring in the roomy storage compartment parent organizer.
"It fit everything of mine and my sister and our three kids including two beach chairs, two family tents, a kiddie pool, two diaper bags, etc. and I was able to pull it with no problem," says one Amazon reviewer.
For younger siblings, a car seat adapter is included so infants can ride safely. Use it in stroller mode with the two five-point harness options or wagon mode if you just want to haul all your gear out to the beach and have the kids walk.
For babies and their big siblings, we love the Evenflo Pivot Xplore and so do thousands of Amazon reviewers, who rated it an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars.
A quick flip of the height-adjustable, telescoping handle allows parents to easily move in and out of push and pull modes as they navigate all types of terrain. Whether you're loading up for a sister's soccer game or taking your tribe to the local Farmer's Market, this top-rated kids' wagon has loads of storage space.
An easy-access basket and plenty of pockets for water bottles, wipes, diapers, and tiny toys make it a winner. One side even folds down so toddlers can easily climb in and out all by themselves.
The Gladly Family Anthem4 makes it surprisingly easy to get around with three or four children in tow though. Not only is it one of the lightest 4-seater wagons available at only 40 pounds, which makes a huge difference in maneuvering, but the all-terrain tires and sturdy suspension system ensure a smooth ride no matter where you're going.
"This thing is built like a tank and truly made to take on rough terrain," writes one Amazon reviewer. "We find it so zippy and maneuverable. You just have to get used to steering with the rotating wheels in the back," she explains. "Once you get used to swiveling the back wheels instead of trying to push the wagon in the direction you're trying to go, you'll realize you can get it to make sharp turns fully loaded from a dead stop."
The lower sides are also super convenient, allowing older kids to hop in and out on their own, so you're not lifting everyone up and breaking your back in the process. Children are obsessed with the extra large double canopies that zip close to create their own little "forts" and stay shaded from the sun on walks.
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