The idea of a family adventure is awesome.
What's not to like about traveling and having fun with your family? Well, you find out when it's time to pack the car. The coolers, the sports gear, the diaper bag, the dog's stuff, that big giant case of 'just in case' things, and in the end, you're playing Tetris to fit everything and everyone in. And it doesn't end here.
Once you get to your destination, it's a lot of back-and-forth to unpack, and then another game of Tetris when you pack to go home.
Now, what about doing this, but in 'easy mode'? Is it even possible to do this in an easier way? Do you even know that there's an easier way?
Well, it is, and believe it or not, it's called a 'wagon'.
Why a Wagon Is Just What You Need
A family outing is the same thing as moving to a small village in a day. If you don't have kids, that sounds overly dramatic, but it's really not. You've got the people, the snacks (oh, so many snacks!), the sports stuff, the picnic blanket, and of course, the dog. And if you want to take it to the next level, now take all that from above and add you holding a toddler into the mix. Unless you've got a couple of spare arms hiding around, it'll be a bit difficult to manage everything.
There's no way you won't forget something, plus you'll probably end up with a stress headache before you even start the car.
That's why a wagon is precisely what you need. In one single trip from the car, you can load in a toddler, the baby bag, a cooler, and the beach toys. All at once!
Going to the county fair, heading to the soccer field, going camping, it can do it all.
In short, it will make your life way easier.
Tired little legs that whine because they can't walk another step have a ride, and you don't have to take Tylenol because the whining gave you a migraine. There's also room for the dog to lie down once they're tired from the hike. A wagon saves your arms, your back, and if we're being brutally honest, your patience.
Because family outings surely test it.
What to Look for When Picking Out a Wagon
If you're ready to buy a wagon, that's great, but don't act on impulse. Do a bit of research first and make sure the wagon you choose is actually good.
Here's what to look for.
Toughness and Durability
You're not buying a wagon to baby it but to drag it through sand, mud, and maybe use it as a temporary snack table/improvised seat.
That means that you can't buy something that will easily rust or have a fabric that'll tear the moment your kid climbs in it with cleats on. Once you find a wagon, run your hand along the frame and see if it feels sturdy.
Also, words like 'powder-coated' or 'aluminum' are good signs that the manufacturer thought about rust, and most people don't think about rust until it's eaten through half the wagon.
Safety First
If you're putting your favorite little people and pets in this thing, you have to make sure it's safe.
High sides are an absolute must because they keep everyone contained. If you have a toddler or a wiggly kid, you'll also want a built-in 5-point harness. If you think that's overkill, it's not because sooner or later, you'll go over a bumpy patch and thank the heavens you have that harness there.
For your dog, it's important that the interior is smooth without any sharp edges, so their claws don't get caught.
The wagon should feel stable overall, and it should be low to the ground.
Capacity and Size
Imagine how your usual departure looks.
Chaotic, right? Figures.
If you have one kid and one dog and you're going on a picnic, a small wagon will do fine. But if you're taking 2 kids, a giant cooler, sports gear, and a diaper bag? You'll need a lot more room, so the trick is to find a sweet spot where there's enough space for everything, but the wagon is still not too bulky or impractical.
Look up Lapp Wagons, or any other similar business that specializes in creating various types of wagons (e.g., kids, work, pony, foldable/collapsable, etc.), and check what they've got.
Ease of Use
If it's a pain to pull, you won't use it, so be careful.
The wheels are everything, and if they're plastic and little, move on. You want big, beefy wheels that make pulling easy. You don't want the wagon to give you a workout, after all. Another thing to think about is where you'll store it when you're not using it.
A wagon that folds down is very practical and easy to store wherever.
Conclusion
A wagon isn't some kind of magic solution that'll make your kids stop arguing in the backseat, but hey.
What is?
Besides, it's not even about what you carry but what you make room for. You have a place for a few extra snacks and the dog without stressing over hauling everything around. The start to your trip gets a little easier, and that's really all you can hope for.
The rest is up to… Well, who knows? You can't really control it; that's for sure.
But with a wagon, you can at least have SOME control over all that playfulness (chaos).
Photo Chloe Nostrant
BOZEMAN— The owners of Bozeman’s 
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