This message is for all the parents and caregivers who daily devote their efforts to caring for their children. Taking care of kids is an incredibly demanding job, and most days, having five extra hands would feel like a lifesaver. While it’s not possible to grow extra limbs, the tasks of feeding, bathing, and putting kids to bed remain. Wouldn’t it be great to have some clever shortcuts to make parenting a bit easier? Good news: whether you’re a mom, dad, or babysitter, these stroller tips and tricks can help lighten the load. They might not solve every challenge, but they’re sure to relieve some of the pressure.

Maximize storage space

Strollers are great for taking your child on outings. Although most types can be folded and fit conveniently in a car, they can still occupy important space at home, even when collapsed.

To conserve space, think about hanging your stroller on strong hooks that are installed on a door or wall close to your entryway. This keeps the stroller out of the way and minimizes the chances of small children running into it or knocking it over by accident.

Add safety lights

Taking your baby outside after dark is sometimes unavoidable in the early years. To make sure your stroller is visible in low light, consider attaching stroller safety lights.

These lights, which can be purchased on Amazon, are excellent for increasing visibility and ensuring your child’s safety. Additionally, they’re fun for kids because they come in a range of colors.

Secure with a bike lock

Some locations, such as small shops or venues, may not permit strollers inside, meaning you’ll have to leave them outside. This can be risky because strollers are costly and can be easily stolen.

Employing a bike lock or chain can help safeguard your stroller. D-locks are particularly effective for enhanced security. Since losing a stroller can be highly inconvenient, it’s advisable to take preventative measures.

Keep cool with a clip-on fan

During hot summer days, it can be difficult to keep your baby comfortable, even with lightweight clothing. A simple solution is a clip-on fan that can be attached to your stroller.

Mount the fan on the handle directed towards your baby or on the hood to create a soft breeze from above. This keeps your baby comfortable and helps avoid fussiness and tantrums.

Install cooling pads

An alternative to staying cool is to use cooling pads. They are discreet, practical, and can enhance the look of the stroller for parents who care about aesthetics.

Cooling pads can be purchased on Amazon and are easy to install on a stroller seat. For a more budget-friendly option, you can make your own cooling pad with fabric, fleece, and water-absorbing crystals.

Use a hands-free solution

Managing work and parenting at the same time can be difficult, particularly for busy parents. A hands-free option can assist you in balancing both activities while out with a stroller.

Attach a car phone mount to the handlebar of your stroller. This enables you to view notifications and reply to messages using voice-to-text, allowing your hands to remain free for other activities.

Stroller tablet holders

Although it’s important to limit screen time, occasionally some entertainment is required to keep a child relaxed. If you need a brief distraction, a tablet holder can be useful.

Secure a tablet holder to the handlebar of your stroller and play your child’s favorite program, such as Peppa Pig, whenever necessary. This can be an effective way to handle occasional tantrums.

Convert your stroller for exercise

Parents who want to keep fit while taking care of their child can transform their stroller into a jogging stroller. This trick is ideal for anyone who wishes to mix exercise with looking after their child.

Many resources offer guidance on making a DIY jogging stroller. Make sure to follow the directions thoroughly to guarantee safety and effectiveness.

Sippy cup leashes

Parents are familiar with the hassle of missing sippy cups, as toddlers often toss them aside carelessly. Use this smart tip to avoid having to constantly buy new ones.

Buy a sippy cup leash or cups with built-in leashes. They can be connected to the stroller or high chair, ensuring cups don’t get lost.

Extra stroller storage

Although most strollers come with a storage basket, items frequently move around, leading to spills or messes. To maintain organization, consider adding extra holders.

Trim a shoe organizer to match your stroller’s dimensions, then fasten it with zip ties. This trick helps prevent spills and keeps all essentials organized.

Shop smarter with strollers

Shopping with a stroller can be challenging, particularly when you’re buying a lot. Here’s an easy way to free up your hands.

Clip a carabiner to the handlebar of your stroller to hold grocery bags. This allows you to easily push the stroller back to your car with your hands free.

Upgrade the handlebar grip

Over time, stroller handlebars may wear out and become slippery, which can make them hard to push. Replacing the grip can enhance both usability and safety.

Purchase handlebar grips and affix them to your stroller. They not only enhance functionality but also come in a range of colors to customize your stroller.

Streamline assembly

Certain strollers can be difficult to fold and unfold, causing frustration at inconvenient times. A straightforward color-coded system can simplify the process.

Take some colored stickers and a Sharpie to mark the spots where you need to press, fold, or lock the stroller. Label these areas as necessary to make a clear guide for yourself.

Enhanced Wheel Grip with Zip Ties

The handle of your stroller is not the only component that needs a good grip. It’s also crucial to maintain the tires in great shape, particularly in icy or wet conditions during winter or rainy seasons. You definitely don’t want the stroller to slide on a slippery surface, as it could endanger your baby.

To improve the traction of your stroller’s wheels, secure zip ties around each tire. This easy trick enhances friction between the tires and the surface, offering extra grip and making the stroller safer to handle in difficult conditions.

DIY Sleep-Friendly Headrest

One advantage of bringing your child out in a stroller is that they can sleep while moving. Nevertheless, many parents encounter the problem of their child’s head falling forward while asleep, which can cause neck discomfort or strain.

To remedy this, think about using a padded head support band. These bands are soft and simple to attach to the sides or sun canopy of the stroller. They gently keep your child’s head in place, preventing it from falling forward and providing a comfortable nap.

Mess-Free Snacking Solutions

When your baby gets hungry, allowing them to snack in the stroller can quickly become messy. A lunchbox packed with snacks may seem handy, but there’s always the chance of spills or your child throwing the whole container on the ground.

A stroller snack tray is a great option. These trays are available in many fun designs and can be effortlessly attached to the front of the stroller. Your child can eat their snacks without making a mess, and cleaning up is easy for you.

Thorough Stroller Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your stroller is an important task that is simple to forget. By cleaning it regularly, you maintain its appearance and ensure it remains free from dirt and grime that might impact its function and your child’s health.

Create a solution of warm water and dish soap in a bucket. Engage your children in the cleaning process to make it an enjoyable, car wash-style activity. Use a hose to thoroughly rinse the stroller and let it dry in the sun before your next trip.

Baby Bottle Sling: A Handy Helper

Although sippy cup leashes are widespread, a baby bottle sling can be revolutionary for infants who cannot yet hold their bottles. These slings are easily found online or at baby stores and provide a practical solution for feeding while traveling.

The sling connects to the stroller’s sun canopy, keeping the bottle safely accessible to your child. Nevertheless, be careful not to push the stroller too hard, since the swinging bottle might accidentally strike your baby.

Maintaining Stroller Stability

Placing shopping bags or other things on your stroller’s handlebars can be risky. The extra weight at the rear may lead to the stroller tipping over, posing a safety risk to your child.

To offset the weight, fasten ankle weights to the front wheels of the stroller. This simple and cost-effective trick aids in preserving stability and keeps your stroller safe regardless of the load it’s carrying.

Space-Saving Stroller Storage

When traveling with children, limited car space can be a challenge, particularly when a large stroller occupies most of the area. A straightforward way to address this issue is by using bungee cords to keep your stroller compact and secure.

Secure a bungee cord around your car’s headrest and the stroller to keep it stable. This trick not only stops the stroller from falling over but also helps you maximize trunk space for other necessities.

Personalizing with Luggage Tags

Leaving your stroller unattended in public places presents two concerns: the risk of theft and the potential for accidental swaps. Even if you secure it with a bike lock, how can you prevent someone from mistakenly taking your stroller?

The solution is to use luggage tags. Fasten a tag with your contact information to the handlebar. This helps in identifying your stroller more easily and also prevents others from taking it by accident.

Weatherproof Your Stroller

Unforeseen weather can spoil a day outside. Even if the weather report suggests sunny skies, unexpected rain showers could surprise you, leaving you and your baby soaked.

A universal rain cover is an excellent purchase. These covers are made to fit most strollers, protecting your baby from the rain and keeping the stroller dry. When you get home, just hang up the cover to let it air dry for future use.

DIY Handlebar Extensions

Although strollers are designed with your baby’s comfort as a priority, they frequently neglect to consider the parents’ experience. Handles that are too low can cause parents to lean forward while pushing, which may eventually result in back pain.

Make your own adjustable handlebars using PVC pipes, bicycle grips, and velcro straps. This easy modification lets you change the height of the handlebars, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free walk.

Turn Your Stroller into a Longboard Adventure

Looking to spice up your outings? Convert your stroller into a longboard stroller for a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable adventure. This unusual trick makes strolling with your child both exciting and speedy.

By connecting a longboard to the stroller, you can transform a regular walk into an exciting ride. Your child will not only have a fun experience, but you’ll also be able to travel further in a shorter amount of time.

Skateboard Stroller Fun

If longboarding isn’t for you, a skateboard provides another fun option. It’s a flexible choice that both you and your child can enjoy.

You can ride a skateboard while pushing your child’s stroller, or your child can ride a skateboard and push their own stroller. It’s an enjoyable way to connect with your child’s active spirit and make lasting memories.

Protecting Floors from Stroller Dirt

Strollers are essential outside, but they can track unwanted dirt and mud into your home. Wet or muddy wheels may make your floors dirty, particularly after it rains.

To maintain clean floors, place large shower caps over the stroller wheels before bringing it inside. This simple solution captures the dirt, keeping your home tidy. Just be sure to take off the caps before going back out.

Extra Storage Solution

You might already know this tip for storing items on a stroller, but it’s worth repeating for new parents. Just hang a large IKEA bag or any spacious carrier bag on the stroller’s handlebars to gain extra storage room.

This tip simplifies grocery shopping, allowing you to be hands-free. Be careful not to overfill the bag to avoid causing the stroller to tip. If you’re worried about that, take a look at the ankle weight tip we mentioned earlier!

Spooky Stroller Costume

Is your child reluctant to get out of their stroller, even on Halloween? Make the best of it by including the stroller as part of their costume. You’ll be surprised by how many imaginative possibilities exist!

An impressive idea is to turn the stroller into a podium for a government official costume. Cover the back with a black cloth to serve as a backdrop and add props such as fake microphones and small flags on the food tray. It’s a simple and creative way to make Halloween even more entertaining!

Additional Bottle Holders

Carrying several bottles for yourself or your baby? This easy trick allows you to neatly organize them in the stroller basket without any spills.

All that’s required is a shoe organizer and some Velcro adhesive. Fasten the organizer to the stroller’s handlebar, put bottles in the sections, and have a convenient storage solution for all your bottles.

Stroller Resting Trick

Even when kids are in a comfortable stroller, they can sometimes become restless. Although strollers are designed to help them relax and sleep, they often remain fully awake. Here is a smart tip to help them rest.

Tilt the stroller backward and rest it against an unoccupied seat to create a comfortable reclining position. Make sure to be vigilant and monitor the stroller continuously. Adding weight to it or gripping the handlebar can provide additional stability.

DIY Double Stroller

Do you have two young children and are finding it difficult to manage two strollers at the same time? Here’s a tip to turn your strollers into a tandem setup for easier walks.

Buy stroller connectors online, like on Amazon, and attach the strollers next to each other. This arrangement not only eases your efforts but also keeps your kids amused with each other’s presence.

Transform Stroller into a Bike Trailer

Want to stay active while spending time with your children? A bike trailer is a great alternative to a traditional stroller. Allow your kids to ride in the bike trailer’s seat as you cycle around the city.

It’s an enjoyable activity for the whole family that keeps everyone cheerful. As the kids have fun on the ride, you’ll get some cardio exercise and enjoy the scenery. Just remember to wear helmets for safety!

Enhance Stroller Visibility

Evening walks can be soothing, but it’s important to keep your child safe in dim lighting. Here’s a tip to make your stroller more noticeable.

Attach reflective tape to the handlebars and front section of the stroller. Although it might not be as striking as colorful lights, it effectively enhances visibility to passing vehicles.

Comfortable Pool Noodle Handlebar

Carrying baby equipment for long durations can be exhausting. This straightforward trick with a pool noodle can make the experience more manageable for you.

Trim the pool noodle to your preferred length and slide it onto the center of the stroller or baby carrier handlebar. It’s an easy solution to create a more comfortable grip for outings.

Stand-Out Stroller Flags

To easily identify your stroller in a crowd, consider attaching a flag. Although luggage tags and lights are useful, flags offer a distinct alternative.

Choose a bright, vibrant flag to put on your stroller. It might seem excessive, but it’s a great method to make sure your stroller is noticeable wherever you are.

Stroller Hammock for Fun

Children can easily become bored during long walks. A stroller hammock is an excellent way to keep them entertained and engaged before any fits arise.

These hammocks, which can be found on websites such as Amazon and Etsy, can be attached to the stroller’s handlebar. They are designed to hold an older child while your baby lies in the stroller, ensuring everyone stays content.

Repurpose for Shopping

Don’t discard your stroller when your child no longer needs it! Transform it into a shopping helper instead.

Take off the seat to expose the frame and use it to support grocery baskets. It’s an easy method to repurpose the stroller and make grocery shopping easier.

DIY Buggy Board

If you have a baby and an older child, this tip is ideal for you. A buggy board offers your older child an enjoyable ride and helps them feel included.

Create your own DIY buggy board and connect it to the stroller. It’s a fun way for your older child to help “push” their sibling and feel like a big kid.

Convenient Cell Phone Holder

For parents with busy schedules, remaining connected is often essential, even when taking a walk. A phone holder attached to the stroller can make it easy to handle calls and notifications.

By having your phone positioned in front of you, you can keep connected without having to look away from your child. This provides an easy way to multitask while keeping your child safe.