To Walk or Stroll a 4-year old

My personal opinion is that a four yr old will not be able to walk around all day( I am sure you understand that) and in most cases when one travels somewhere in Canada or States a cheapo folding stroller would be a great compromise.. problem with this advice, the streets in Paris are better navigated by the bigger sort of all terrain tired strollers( which I saw many Parisiene ladies using on the buses).

I kind of think a 4 yr old is basically a bit young for a city holiday,, but that if you do decide to go ahead, plan one major site or two a day, and the rest of the time at the park or just wandering around eating ice cream!

I don't think I would have gotten either one of my kids at age 4 to sit in a stroller. That said, they were used to walking alot, as we do not own a car. Most 4 year olds have twice the energy of an adult, so it is more about planning to do things that they are interested in. Perhaps just carry a light blanket and if he wants a nap, find a park to sit in and let him take a nap. Sounds easier than schlepping a stroller around just to use for an hour each day.

We took an umbrella stroller for our 4-year old. It was a lifesaver. She was too big, but it was a blessing when she got tired.

An umbrella stroller is probably best. You will do way more walking than a day at the park and having a portable chair to use when standing in line will help a lot. When not in use it folds up and doesn't weigh a lot.

We have been traveling internationally since our son was 1 year old - multiple intl trips every year. We have taken him to Europe, S. America, Asia and the Middle East multiple times and always carried an umbrella stroller. It is definitely a life saver when the kids are exhausted and they will fall asleep in it while the adults can continue walking/sight seeing.

We stopped taking it after he turned 5 - at which point he could walk and had also outgrown the stroller. Definitely take it - carrying a 4 yr old when they are exhausted is no fun.

We've gone overseas with our son when he was 2 and again when he was 3. We brought an umbrella stroller each time. We used it a lot the first trip, but not much on the second. He mostly rode on his dad's shoulders, which both of them were fine with.

Umbrella strollers don't take up much room, so I feel it's better to take it and not use it than to not take it and be miserable without it.

Keep in mind that a lot of towns over in Europe have cobblestones, which aren't very stroller-friendly. We have a cheap one that we bring that we don't mind if it gets torn up.

Piggy back rides worked for us. I don't think it's feasable to drag an umbrella stroller around all day - that seems more of a pain than carrying kiddo on your back once in a while. Maybe bring the stroller on the trip and use it when you go out at night but leave it in the hotel during your daytime jaunts.

Search out playgrounds!

I took my nephew twice and we used a stroller both times. He was 4 1/2 the first trip and just turned 5 on the second. You will do a lot of walking. More than you might think. Forget about cobblestones and stairs. The people who live in these places use strollers everyday without a thought. Bring one, take it with you everyday. You never know when he might get pooped or bored or tired of doing "adult" things like museums.

Also, remember - do things that HE wants to do. If you make your itinerary looking at the trip through the eyes of a 4 year old you will all have more fun. I find kids like historic building and churches more than art museums. Science museums and history museums are good. Look for ones with interactive exhibits for him to push buttons and pull levers. Toy stores are always a hit of course and like I said before playgrounds and parks. My son likes having a guide too. We did a highlights tour of The Louvre with Paris Walks and it was perfect - 2 hours with an engaging tour guide and group.