The first year we bought a trailer, our daughter was two years old, and we assumed she would love a little house on wheels. What can be better than roaming around in your personal trailer with windows, snacks, and toys? Well, she didn’t share our excitement. Nothing worked – promises of ice cream, favorite toys… N-O-T-H-I-N-G. An overpriced stroller (because it had a conversion kit) had to wait a whole year before we tried it again. However, by that time her brother joined her, and they had no problem sitting in a trailer next to each other. However, toddler vs. trailer topic comes up every riding season among our friends, because every year there is another child gets into the trailer riding age.
It should be ok to “trick” (but not force) your child to ride in a trailer. As parents, we need to expose out children to many activities, and they are not going to like all of them right away.
Do not force a child into a trailer! If you have tried all the tips above and you still can’t get your little one in the trailer, maybe give it a short break and try again in a day or two. They will come around.
Is there a right way of introducing a child to a trailer riding?
I don’t think there is a right or wrong way. Each child is different regarding what they are prepared to try. Most times when I see kids not wanting to try trailers out it is because the parent is in a hurry and forces the child to do it before they are ready to. Often you can tell these kids are tired or cranky before they put them in the trailer. You might need to keep the trailer in the living room for a few day before you try it out. This way your child will be used to it and even interested in it.
The most important thing is to get your child buy in first. Perhaps include them in the purchase of the trailer. It should be referred to as “their bike,” or “their toy.” Give them as much pride and ownership in the trailer as you feel about your bike. Let them customize the trailer (stickers, water gun to shoot mommy with, their water bottle, get matching helmets for you and your child) anything that can make it fun.
With younger children, I always recommend showing them video’s on youtube of other kids having fun in our trailers.
Use the trailer with an older sibling even if it is not for them, this will also get the younger child more interested. DONT try the first ride when your child is grumpy, tired, or hungry. A good idea for a first trip is to get ICE CREAM or a treat.
I love the idea of giving the kids ownership. I can be a little controlling in my efforts to keep things looking nice. That’s a tip I need to embrace.
I used to have something similar and my kids loved it. It can be work though pulling them up hills!
I never really had my kids in a trailer often so I never had the I don’t want to’s, but a trip to the ice cream store, is always a good thing
My son loves riding in our bicycle trailer! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to ride too!
Sounds like all great ideas. I guess it could be a little scary back there. I’ve never seen bike trailers before reading your blog but they sure do look cool.
Great tips, the beginning mood is very important. Children can be stubborn enough without having a bad mood against you!
Okay, I was really confused at first until I saw the pics, lol. I was like – they get their own trailer?! Ha. But I see lots of parents bring their kids around like those.
Oh man the tip about putting trailer in living room is a great one. Another thing we did is have a costume or outfit that could only be worn for special things like this. Or a special toy that could only be played with then…bribing does work
We never used a trailer but my 10 year old wishes she could have one now. I wish I could have one now, LOL. I would gladly let someone pull me around. How come it is the older we get the more realize how much we would have liked things when we were younger.
I love the idea of letting kids personalize the trailer. Making it their own special space seems to be a great motivator.