How can I get all 5 kids out for a walk?

[Sandbox Sally]

I am getting a Foundations Quad if it ever gets here...lol

I have heard that they're pretty good to push (both online reviews and other dcp's who own them), and I won't be using it in heavy snow myself.

[Rangersangel]

I have a 4 pod choo choo wagon and I loved it for walks. Its great depending on the weight/age of the kids. My DCKs range from 14 months to 3.5 years and 4 out of 5 kids are at least 30pounds. Plus l/o need to be able to sit up in it.

I'm saving for a Runabout for the fall. Its mostly for school runs. I have heard it does the best in snow if you are planning on walking then. Plus it has a rain cover which the other quads don't have.

[jodaycare]

I have the six seat Runabout. I love it!

[playfelt]

For all little ones my favourite is a wagon. I have a large one from this company from when we lived in London - www.toywagons.com

What I would do is put them three to a side with legs crossed in the middle or alternate legs out - mine is 24 x48 for the bed so plenty of leg room. I used the walking harnesses to make seatbelts putting the harness on each one and then the rein part wound through the slats to prevent standing. For the 3 month old you could use a carrier or use their carseat and put it across the front of the wagon and the others behind. The oldest should be walking just to get the exercise too.

I have the foundations quad bought from a caregiver closing down. It is ok but then I am used to the wagon and my daughter's wheelchair and used an older double stroller most of the time my own kids were little so don't find it that bad to push. Don't bother going out in the snow cause it is just too hard on the old wrists to pull or push anything I don't have to as in no school runs anymore. What I don't like is the safety brake bar as you have to hold the handle and the brake bar - thin metal strip at the same time as the brake comes on as soon as you let go. Great for safety but annoying for pushing because instead of holding on to the handle and a leisuring stroll you have to grip this thing tight the whole way - solution was to tie it to the handle so I don't have to hold it. Means no safety brake but around the block on a flat street isn't an issue for me.

[sunnydays]

Kijiji...a daycare centre was selling it! If you look long enough you can find good deals. would ahve loved a Runabout, but couldn't afford one even used.

[Marie]

I don't know if any of you have a Foundations quad, but I have heard that they are heavy and hard to push and don't work for winter. I just bought a used Bye Bye Buggy that seats 6! i am so excited to try it out, but I need to fix or replace the seatbelts first. They are normally around $1500, but I got it for $300 and it's in good shape other than the belts.

Can the Bye Bye Buggy hold an infant car seat?

[sunnydays]

Marie...good question...I don't think so! Maybe the Foundations is better for you. Either that or if you can wear the infant in a carrier on your front or back until he/she is big enough, that is what I would do. I am pretty sure the Bye Bye Buggy is for about 8 months and up...the seats don't recline. But, if I remember right actually, there is an infant insert you can buy for it...don't remember how much it is.

[fruitloop]

Foundation squad will take your carseat and the other three little ones, and the 4yo can walk

Ditto to this. They're expensive but well worth the money imo. If you order it out of the states it might be a bit cheaper for you. I paid $530 for mine and that included shipping, exchange, duty, etc.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Please watch out for your backs ladies - I herniated my disc pushing a bye bye buggy the repeated pushing of so much weight weakened my back and one day while out with it I did not see a pothole and the wheel dipped and the whole thing started to TIP and the jerking motion of grabbing all that weight to avoid the kids being hurt was too much for me

We only have ONE body treat it with care.

I am a no more than two kids under two person so only have a double stroller and single stroller - everyone else walks and wit he under twos once you are steady on your feet you start training to walk too .... In centre care we took 15 fifteen to 24 month olds out for walks all the time - we used a safety rope to keep em together and they just learned to be safe if they wanted to get to the park or what not ... It is amazing how capable little legs truly are cause my 22 monh old walked 3 km last week to get to the OEYC and than after two hours of playing he walked back

[Spixie33]

I have a runabout quad. I know you can get a runabout with an infant seat adjustment. They are a but pricey but you can get one that is a triple formation or quad maybe.
It is great cutting through the snow because it has thin high tires. Anything with wide tires is hard to get through the snow.

I have also had someone this week tell me about a turtle bus. I had never heard of it but it was another daycare provider telling me she had just ordered one for around $1200 (for a six seater). I looked them up and they look pretty cool http://www.a-winther.com/pages/turtl..._kiddy_bus.php

The cheapest and best option is the Choo Choo wagon that someone mentioned. You can get them new at sears and cheap but it wouldn't work for your under 1 year old