The Case FOR Vans with Toddlers
There are plenty of reasons why vans make excellent family vehicles, especially when you have young kids like toddlers:
Ease of Access
Let’s be real – toddlers are basically little drunken tumbleweeds barely holding it together sometimes. Having a van with a low, flat floor and wide sliding doors makes getting them in and out SO much easier than sedans or SUVs. No more hauling them up and over door frames or ducking under lintels. The accessibility is a game-changer.
Room to Grow
Sedans get outgrown real quick when you have multiple kids and all their stuff. Vans give you that extra room to fit rear-facing seats, boosters, strollers, and all the toddler gear you can’t leave home without. Most can even fit three rows of seats. Talk about futureproofing!
Ease of Loading
Similarly, that low floor and wide opening make loading vans a breeze compared to liftgates or trunks you have to stoop down for. Lugging car seats, strollers, diaper bags, and toy-haulers in and out is way easier on your back too. Parenting is hard enough on your body already!
Mess Management
Crumbs, spills, muddy feet, vomit – the works. Vans have durable rubber/vinyl flooring that makes keeping things clean and hygienic so much simpler than dealing with fabric upholstery. You can contain messes and just hose it all down when needed.
Entertainment Options
Most modern vans come loaded with screen options to keep little ones enthralled on drives, plus headphone jacks and speaker options to customize whose listening to what. This can be a literal lifesaver on long road trips.
The Case AGAINST Vans with Toddlers
As great as vans are though, they do have some downsides to keep in mind when it comes to toddlers:
Size Issues
Vans are, well, vans. That means they feel pretty huge from behind the wheel, with major blind spots that can cause anxiety. Parking them in tight spaces is no fun either. The size can definitely take some getting used to.
Less Agility
Driving a van just doesn’t feel as nimble or sporty as a smaller car or crossover. They’re sluggish in tight turns, slower acceleration, and don’t handle as nimbly in general. If you prioritize driving performance, a van might disappoint.
Fuel Economy Woes
With all that size comes poor fuel efficiency. Newer vans get around 18-25 mpg, while older ones might dip into the teens for mileage. Those gas costs can really add up quickly if you have a long commute.
Less Safety Scoring
While still totally safe overall, vans don’t always score as highly as sedans and SUVs in safety tests for factors like rollover risk and small overlap crashes. Features like side airbags may be fewer. Something to be aware of.
Less Luxury Available
If you want all the top tech and creature comforts like leather, panoramic sunroofs, advanced safety aids, and infotainment – your choices will be limited to higher-end vans. Lower trims can feel pretty bare bones.
Types of Vans for Toddlers
If after weighing the pros and cons you’re leaning towards a van, your next step is to decide which type/model suits your family’s needs and budget best. Here’s a quick overview of some popular options:
Minivans
The Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey are the big names in modern minivans designed around families. They offer dual sliding doors, three rows, and easy stowing of seats to maximize cargo space. Prices range from $35k-50k new.
Full-Size Vans
Vans like the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ram Promaster are bigger “trucko-vans” with high roofs and more rugged capabilities. More expensive ($40-60k) but give you tons of configurable space for growing families. Some come in AWD.
Classic Vans
Older used vans like the Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, and Dodge Caravan can be found super affordable if you don’t need the latest tech and features. Just watch for costly repair needs on high mileage models.
What to Look For in a Toddler Van
No matter which route you go, there are certain features and specs you’ll want to prioritize when van shopping with little ones in mind:
Sliding Side Doors
Ideally you want dual sliding doors on both sides to make loading/unloading as easy as humanly possible. Look for low, flat floors too.
Easy to Clean Materials
Factor in what surfaces and upholstery will hold up best to the nonstop mess-making of small kids. Rubber floors, vinyl seats, and easy stain/odor removal will be extremely helpful.
Entertainment Options
Having one or two screens to play movies/TV shows can give you huge sanity on road trips. So can wireless headphones, USB ports, device connectivity, and other media distractions.
Safety Tech
From backup cameras and blind-spot monitors to forward collision warning and rear seat mirrors – safety features may cost extra but are worth it for driving with toddlers.
Seating Flexibility
Will you need occasional 7 or 8 passenger seating? Do the seats fold, remove, or stow away easily to maximize cargo room? Versatility is very handy as families grow.
Cargo Space and Access
Sliding doors, wide trunks/hatches, removable seats and low floors make loading strollers, car seats, and gear super easy. Measure your most cumbersome baby items to check fit.
Road Trip Worthiness
Comfort features like upgraded seating, armrests, individual climate controls, and storage cubbies make vans much nicer for those long hauls with restless youngsters.
Total Cost of Ownership
Don’t just look at sticker prices. Factor in fuel costs over time and maintenance costs vans are notoriously more expensive for tune-ups, brake jobs, tires, etc. There’s a lot of vehicle to maintain.
Tips for Living That Toddler #VanLife
Let’s say you DO go with a van for your toddler transportation needs – here are some tips for making the most of it and keeping your sanity:
Organize, Organize, Organize
You’ll need lots of nifty storage containers, organizers, and compartments to keep vans neat with little kids. Hanging shoe organizers, seat-back organizers, and built-in consoles are lifesavers for corralling all the toddler gear.
Puppy Pads Save Lives
Okay maybe not lives, but they’ll save your van’s floors & upholstery more times than you can count. Keep a thick supply of puppy pads for containing spills, arts & crafts messes, potty accidents, and more. A parent’s best friend.
Go Paperless for Entertainment
Toddlers and loose paper is just asking for mayhem. Load up tablets or screen-mounted players with movies, games, books, and music instead of loose books/toys flying around the van.
Use Vertical Space Wisely
Maximize vertical storage for any bulky, awkward items like strollers, sports equipment, etc. For vans with tall ceilings, you can install overhead bins or shelving/racks up top.
Invest in Window Shades
Toddlers and direct sunlight is often a losing battle. Removable window shades can block glares and prevent overheating and sun damage while driving. Also helpful for nap times.
Pack a Road “Go Bag”
Always keep a well-stocked, insulated bag of shelf-stable snacks, extra clothes, diapers, wipes, water, medicine, entertainment items and other essentials for on-the-go use. Enough for
FAQs on Vans for Toddlers
Are minivans better than SUVs for toddlers?
Minivans generally provide easier access with sliding doors and lower floors compared to having to lift kids up into SUVs. The open cabin layouts also give more flexibility for installing car seats. However, SUVs may have some safety advantages.
What are the safest vans for toddlers?
The Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Pacifica tend to rank among the safest minivans with top safety ratings, advanced safety tech, and multiple airbags. Full-size vans like the Ford Transit can also be very safe.