Traveling with a toddler is a big change from traveling with a baby. If your toddler is anything like mine, you’ll sometimes wonder why you’ve brought along your toddler travel stroller. My toddler constantly wants out of the stroller. Then he wants back in. He wants to walk, then he wants to be carried. Not only that, but snack and meal times still fill a large part of the day. Because of this dynamic, in my experience, the best travel strollers for toddlers are ones that are lightweight, easy to travel with and have a compact fold.
Toddlers love exploring, but those little legs still get pretty tired! All that moving around and testing out everything they find can make them exhausted! So you can still expect to get a few years out of a toddler travel stroller. I love the idea of a stroller that can be folded up and carried, making it easier to hold your toddler’s hand when they are in the mood to walk.
When they get tired, it’s easy to pull the toddler travel stroller back out and get a little nap on the go! Alternatively, when your toddler is walking or being carried, you can use the stroller to hold your bags! You’ll be glad you have that toddler stroller for travel!
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Best Travel Strollers for Toddlers
With so many great options, finding the best lightweight travel stroller for a toddler isn’t an easy task! Based on my years of traveling with toddlers, I’ve included my recommendations plus plenty of details for each compact travel stroller to help in your search for the best stroller to travel with a toddler.
1. Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller
One of my picks for the best overall toddler stroller for travel, the Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller is highly regarded and comes at a low price (under $100). It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s an excellent choice if all you need is a basic & affordable umbrella stroller for travel.
An umbrella style travel stroller that’s easy to travel with given how light it is at 11 lbs
Small storage basket
Meets Disney size requirements
Has a parent organizer that hangs on the back
2. Inglesina Quid Stroller
My second pick for the best toddler travel stroller, I love how the multiple position recline on the Inglesina Quid Stroller allows it to be used from 3 months and up to 50 pounds.
Its compact tri-fold with folded dimensions of 22.8” x 18.3” x 6.8” will fit in the overhead bin on most airlines
The large extendable canopy has an extra zipper extension to offer plenty of sun protection
With a max weight capacity of 50 pounds this compact toddler stroller for travel should last right through the toddler stag
Large under seat basket
For more information, read my full review of the Inglesina Quid Stroller.
3. Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
With an extra large storage basket plus a side pocket and a cup holder, you’ll be able to carry everything you need using the Summer 3Dlite Convenience compact travel stroller.
Has an umbrella style fold with a carry strap
With 4 recline positions to nearly flat
Adjustable and removable canopy with sun visor.
Recommended for babies 6 months + and up to 50 lbs
4. gb Pockit+ All-Terrain
The gb Pockit+ All-Terrain travel stroller is compatible with infant car seats and reclines. It also offers double all terrain wheels, a low weight of 12.3 pounds and smaller folded dimensions. This compact toddler travel stroller will fit in the overhead bin on an airplane.
The recline is nice for naps, as is the better canopy compared to other pocket strollers
All-terrain wheels makes it easier to push larger children
Its high upper weight limit makes this my pick for the best travel stroller for big kids
This stroller is recommended for babies who can sit up unassisted around 6 months and up to 55 pounds
5. Joovy Kooper Stroller
The Joovy Kooper is the closest you’ll get to an all-terrain stroller for travel. It has larger wheels than some of the other travel strollers for toddlers on my list. Though it’s heavier than most at 16.2 pounds, it has the added bonus of a tray. A tray makes travel with a toddler so much easier, as you can feed your toddler snacks on the go, making it easy to get from place to place.
Has a one-hand tri-fold and the tray folds up with the stroller
Multi-position recline
Large lower storage plus zipper storage pocket
Large oversized canopy
6. Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus lightweight stroller is very popular, with a great price point for anyone looking for a travel stroller under $100. At only 11.8 pounds, It’s lightweight with a good canopy and lots of space to store all your baby travel essentials.
Available in red and slate grey plus it’s Disney size approved
Has parent and child tray, both with cup holders
Three-tier canopy with peek-a-boo window
One hand, self standing fold
7. Ergobaby Metro+ Compact Toddler Stroller
The Ergobaby Metro+ is a compact stroller that delivers all the features traveling parents could want. It’s easy to see why they call this a premium ultra-compact travel stroller.
The seat has more padding than most for extra comfort
The seat fully reclines and the sunshade is large enough to block the sun.
Its compact fold will allow the Ergo Metro+ to fit in most overhead bins on the airplane.
Has an optional travel bag
Read my full review of the Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller.
8. Cybex Libelle 2 Ultra Compact and Lightweight Stroller
I really like a lightweight travel stroller for toddlers, since most walking toddlers will be in and out of the stroller. The Cybex Libelle 2 weighs only 13.7 lbs with a compact fold 18.9 x 12.6 x 7.9 allowing this travel stroller to fit in most overhead bins on the airplane.
Lightweight, one handed recline and adjustable footrest
Large basket under seat
Extendable canopy
Self-standing once folded and can be used with Cybex infant car seats to make a travel system
9. Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Stroller for Travel
The Mountain Buggy Nano V3 (which is similar to the original Mountain Buggy Nano) is only 13 pounds and the maximum weight capacity is 44 lbs. The Mountain Buggy Nano V3 has a flat recline that will allow parents to use this portable stroller for travel with toddlers and newborns alike.
Two tier canopy with pop out sun visor
Large under seat basket
Fit in most overhead bins on the airplane, but the wheels may need to be popped off first
May not get much use out of this travel stroller if if you have a heavy child
10. UPPAbaby MINU V2 Toddler Travel Stroller
The UPPAbaby MINU V2 is a lightweight toddler travel stroller that can be used from birth (with the use of the UPPAbaby Bassinet) and right up to 50 pounds. Without this, it can still be used from 3 months old and is compatible with car seats with the use of optional adapters.
Has a one-hand, one-step fold
Comes with a deep storage basket that can be reached from the front or back
Multi position recline
Extendable canopy with pop out sun visor
What to Look for in a Toddler Travel Stroller
Here are some things to consider when looking for the right toddler stroller for your family travels:
1. Reclining Stroller Seat
My kids didn’t do well when they missed a nap, so this feature was especially important to me. If your toddler is still napping or doesn’t do well missing a nap, get the best reclining stroller for your toddler. A compact toddler stroller with a good reclining seat will keep your toddler comfortable and help you get your toddler to sleep while you are sightseeing.
2. Well Rated with Safety Features
Consider only well-rated travel strollers for toddlers made by a reputable company. Ensure it has all the important safety features like locking wheels, won’t tip when it’s reclined and a 5 point harness.
3. Easy One-Hand Fold
There will be times when you are trying to hold your toddler and fold up the stroller at the same time. Getting the a fold up stroller for toddlers with a one-hand fold will make your life so much easier.
4. Small Compact Fold
Often times your toddler will want to be out of the stroller walking. If your toddler travel stroller has a compact fold, you or your partner can carry the stroller in a backpack travel bag while the other runs after your toddler. This is especially useful when visiting places that aren’t stroller accessible or when flying with toddlers.
5. Comfort
Your stroller still needs to be comfortable so your toddler will enjoy being in it and, with any luck, nap in it. Look for a lightweight travel stroller for toddlers that still has decent padding in the seat and where your toddler can sit comfortably.
6. Canopy
I used to use a large swaddle blanket as a stroller sun shade while traveling with my kids, but it just wasn’t up to the task. A large extendable canopy is important to keep your toddler out of the harsh sunlight. Look for a toddler stroller for travel that has a canopy that can offer the right sun protection for your toddler.
There are aftermarket products like the CoziGo stroller cover that can be added on if the canopy isn’t ideal. These stroller sunshades are ideal for helping your toddler nap on the-the-go!
7. Storage
You’ll still be carrying around all the diapers, snacks and other toddler travel essentials, so choose a portable stroller for toddlers that has enough storage. I would often toss a toddler travel carrier in the bottom, as you just never know when you might want to use it!
8. Price
A travel stroller for toddlers can get pricey! Make sure you know your budget for the best lightweight toddler stroller before you start researching.
9. Extended Life
Not all travel strollers for toddlers have a high max weight capacity. If you have a tall or heavy toddler, make sure your toddler won’t outgrow your lightweight toddlers stroller for travel. If you are looking to buy a new travel stroller for your toddler, make sure the maximum weight capacity is 50 lbs or more.
10. Food Tray and Cup Holder
These aren’t deal breakers, but nice-to-haves. Having the ability to give your toddler a snack or even to play with one of these screen-free toddler travel toys while walking is a huge convenience.
The best toddler strollers for travel should also make your life easier! Consider a lightweight toddler stroller with a snack tray and cup holder. At a minimum, you can always look for toddler travel strollers where these items can be added after.
Other things to keep in mind when purchasing a stroller:
How much will you use your toddler travel stroller? This will help determine how much you spend on your stroller.
Where will you travel with your stroller? Does it need to meet Disney stroller size requirements? Does it need to withstand cobblestone streets while touring Europe with a toddler?
Are you flying with a stroller? Will your travel stroller be used primarily for road trips with a toddler or will you be flying with a stroller frequently? This will help you decide how compact your travel stroller needs to be.
Will you have more children? If you plan on having more children, consider getting a travel stroller for infants that still meets your needs traveling with a toddler. Eventually, you may want to look into the best double travel strollers.
Optional Accessories for Travel Strollers for Toddlers
Not every travel stroller is going to have all the features you want. If you really like one of my recommended travel strollers for toddlers above, but it’s missing a feature that is important to you, don’t worry. I’ve written a post with the best add-on accessories for travel strollers which should solve your problem.
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Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she’s helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.
