Too Big for Stroller, Too Little to Walk

Walk her. She should be strong enough for a mile walk. My older daughter could hike in and out of the hills for long distances at that age. The younger one needed prodding. It's lack of exercise that makes kids weak.

My kids have been walking alongside me since they were 2. They can go a mile or more. You just have to slow down for them.

If you're trying to speed-walk, this might be a problem. I'll second the suggestion of getting her a scooter, large trike, or other wheeled device to bring her speed up to match the adults.

Hmm...my two year old can walk for a few miles. Is it a matter of the girl not being used to walking for any length of time? Perhaps, is the girl just used to being in a stroller for walks? It could just take going on shorter walks and building up to being able to walk further. I think she should try getting her daughter used to the distance, since it's silly to buy a special contraption for a 5-6 year old. (Just in my opinion, of course.) Or, she could buy a scooter like
S H. suggested.

Consignment shop. You can get a $400 jogging stroller suitable for up to 5' tall and 80-100 lbs for $50-$100.

But I have to strongly second building up her stamina, unless she has some kind of physical deformity/ special needs. My son was doing 6 miles a day to start off the say (running mostly) by 2 and a half/ 3. Being adhd, he's something of an outlier (we've always needed 2/3s to 3/4s of the day to be physically active)... but most toddlers I've known in EU and elsewhere can easily walk 2-3 hours in a go before they get tired. It's not a question of keeping up... they run/dance/skip/hop most of it. Is your walk a 5-10mile hike that there's just no way that she can do... or a more moderate 3-5mile jaunt?

Kids get tired easily in 'the beginning', but they also recoup FAST. One little boy (4yo) in my care had never walked an entire block on his own. He went from house to car to stroller to car to house. The longest he was on his feet in any given day was 15 minutes. It took about 2 months before he was going 3 miles (in apx 1 hour). His parents, though, would still strap him in his stroller to go down to the park. His legs worked great. He'd just never been given the opportunity to use them.

I would suggest a babysitter, a friend who doesn't join in the walking.

I would start building up the walks. My daughter has grown up walking around the neighborhood. For a long time we'd walk and I would pick her up whenever she was tired. When she was 1 1/2 she was running those walks and people were just shocked she could do it, but I think if you work her up to it it happens. My daughter is 2 1/2 now and that neighborhood walk is about 2 1/2 miles (its a big loop). She walks it no problem and can walk longer. They are little troopers they just have to get used to the walking.

From what I've heard jogging strollers have bigger weight maximums. I would look at some jogging strollers. They usually push the $100 line

http://www.travelswithbaby.com/gear/strollers_single.htm
Most of those strollers rate to 55lbs, not sure how much 5 year olds weight though so I thought maybe it would help.

I agree with another mom that you have to keep their pace too, not sloth slow but enough for their little legs not to have to run. I get so irked even in stores when I see the poor kids trying so hard to keep up with mom or dad, it's like just slow down a bit.

How long is your walk? My son isn't 4 yet and he'll walk a mile with no problem. And biking for that long is not even a problem. Granted, it's not quick, but unless it's super hot or super cold, there's no reason she can't walk with you. Unless she is physically developmentally small and walking is an issue. She may need practice - perhaps just going on a long walk as her frst walk is a little overwhelming, so work up to it. Then it'll be no problem.

My son uses a little scooter and can go on walks with us. He usually walks on the way back and we carry the stroller. So it depends on how long the walk is:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/176-###-###-####-###...

Is it possible to go for your walk while she is in school?

I agree with getting a jogging stroller. I also own a Graco Quattro single stroller that goes up to 50#s. I bought it second-hand for about $65 in literally brand-new condition.

pull a wagon? Teach the child to ride a bike with training wheels?

I also have to ask how long your walk is.

My daughter is almost 4 and easily walks 3-4 miles regularly, or rides her bike alongside me... though she actually prefers walking.
I don't know that I would get another stroller for a 5 year old... it seems like it's a matter of getting them used to be more active and walk longer stretches.
However if your friend is bent on continuing to push her in a stroller I would look for a used jogging stroller. I got mine for $35 off Craigslist (it was barely used...).

Good luck.

My 3 year old walks over 3 miles and my 4 year old can walk around 5 miles w/o complaining. How far are you walking? I know the kids can't walk as fast as the grown ups, but they really need to get exercise too and just sitting being pushed around isn't ideal for a 5 year old. Maybe you can let the child walk part of the way and use a bike carrier or jogging stroller :) Just a suggestion. Keep up the exercise!

I've tied bungee cords to the handlebars of my kid's bikes (training wheels) so I could pull them when I've gone on long walks & knew they wouldn't make it all the way. Also did this with a cozy coupe car - my son kicked up his feet and took a "drive" while I pulled & got a good upper body workout!

I used a bicycle carrier for my two boys when they were little. It's bigger than a wagon and stroller and also has seat belts. I used it to jog with the boys.

As much as you might hear complaining for a while, I would have the girl walk. I went on a field trip with my niece when she was in pre-k and we went hiking. I was thinking that it was going to be a nice little stroll on a level path, however it turned out to be a two mile hike up a mountain. All of the four year olds complained at one point or another, but all made it through with out too much whining. I think that she can start getting used to walking if you go on shorter walks and build up. But for this to work, no one can cave in and carry her (just make sure that it truly isn't too far for her to go!).

I would be taking shorter walks or breaking up the walk with a trip to a playground or something so that everyone can rest if necessary.

If she's not able to keep up on the bike the whole time, what about a 3 wheeled scooter?

How long is your long walk???

Just don't walk that long, being she is not a distance walker.

My daughter, when even 2 years old, could walk forever. She has stamina.
My son, does not. He cannot walk nor has stamina for long, walks.
So I just kept that in mind and didn't walk that long with him.

Or get a jogging stroller.
But with a 5 year old, they being heavier... it is more weight, to push and walk with.

I'm sorry if this sounds snide but she should be able to walk at age 5! Exercise is good for them; she shouldn't be wheeled around all of the time.

She should look on craigslist and consignment shops she can probably find a good deal on a stroller. Or if she could look into backpack carrier. My 4 yr old is a light weight so I still put him in the ergo on my back when I walk my dogs.

We use a canopy wagon. Got it on Amazon for a great deal! Maybe, that can work. Good luck!

try a jogging stroller? they tend to be larger- my 6 year old still fits in ours in a pinch. Check second-hand kids stores for an affordable one- my still works pretty well and I have had and used it for over 10 years so they are pretty durable.