Strollers — every parent needs one. Convenience — every parent wants it. And with these 20 stroller hacks, you can make using your stroller more convenient and functional, as well as provide a safer and more comfortable ride for your little one.
SHOP ERGOBABY Compact Strollers
Stickers make strollers easy to understand
Use colored stickers to label the buttons and levers of the stroller with instructions, i.e. pull and push, so your partner, grandparent or whoever is walking your child can remember how to use your stroller.
Corral containers in hanging shoe organizers
Use one or two sections of a hanging shoe organizer to keep bottles or sippy cups that won’t fit in cup holders (or if you don’t have them) from spilling. Put adhesive velcro on the back and stick it to the inside part of your undercarriage storage basket on the side closest to you.
Use grip tape
Use tennis racket grip tape to wrap around your handles when the material starts wearing off. This tape is made for people to have a good, comfortable grip, and it comes in a variety of colors.
Hang shopping bags on carabiners
Use large, heavy duty climbing carabiners on your handlebar so you can shop hands-free, while your stroller acts as your butler or partner, carrying multiple bags for you. You can also clip on a utility tote to hold your bags.
Ankle weights keep your stroller upright
For those shopping days, it’s also smart to wrap ankle weights to the front of your stroller around the bottom of its legs. This little hack will keep your stroller from tipping over backward because of too much weight.
A battery-operated fan will keep baby cool
Another summer hack — Get and attach a small, battery-operated fan to keep your baby cool on those hot days.
Zip ties help with stroller traction
During the icy and snowy winter months, put zip ties around the stroller’s wheels—be sure to cut off any excess. This will help you get better traction on slippery surfaces. It’s a great hack for all you walkers, joggers and runners who brave the cold!
Secure your stroller in the car
Pack your stroller upright in your van or SUV by wrapping a bungee cord around your backseat headrest. This saves space, allowing you to fit more than just your stroller in your trunk. You can also keep shower caps in your trunk or put a cheap plastic bin to put your stroller in, so if the wheels get dirty they won’t get your car dirty.
Use an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun
Your child isn’t the only one who should be protected from the sun. Especially if you’re extra fair like me, then a portable, swiveling umbrella that clamps onto your stroller and keeps you shaded is a must-have item. It can be used in other places as well, like on the top bleachers during football games, so it will pay for itself quickly and save you money in store aloe vera runs during the summer.
Bike locks add extra security
Use a flexible bike lock to keep your stroller safely locked up, so you can rest easy when you need to leave it unattended in a public place.
Reflective tape increases nighttime safety
Put pieces of reflective tape on your stroller so it’s more visible at night.
Make snacking and sipping a breeze
Get a cup strap and stroller snack tray. Stopping to bend over and pick up a thrown bottle or sippy cup 10 times during your 15-minute walk will get old fast. A cup strap ensures that even when your toddler sends his cup flying, it won’t roll away or land face down in the dirt.
Dish soap keeps your stroller clean
Easily clean your stroller with dish soap, warm water and a sponge, and then rinse it off with a hose and set it out in the sun to dry. But that’s not the real stroller hack here. When you’ve got a toddler, make her do it. Tell her it’s her very own car wash, give her all the supplies and let her clean away. Use her not knowing this is really a chore to your advantage while you can.
No matter what accessories you decide to pick to help make your outings easier, they are guaranteed to make your trips much more enjoyable for both you and your little one.